storing inside for the summer

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storing inside for the summer

May 11, 2011, 06:49:14 am

New Foretravel owner, need some help with storing for five months. Besides the refer any recommendations! 2006 phenix 40. Has 50 amp ellectric inside.

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #1 – May 11, 2011, 07:43:03 am

I would lower the coach down and turn off the 12 volt air pump and you will need to figure something for the engine start batteries. I would put a trickle charger on it them or disconnect them. You can also think about running the AC at a high setting to keep the humidity out but that is optional. But if you are in the south I would.

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #2 – May 11, 2011, 08:35:49 am

Previous owner of our coach stored it in their airplane hangar when it was not in use. It spent most of its time there. They kept it plugged in to 50A with HVAC on. To keep the chassis battery ready, they unplugged the block heater and used the outlet for power to a 1.5 amp charger that maintained the chassis battery.

We don't have a barn for the coach yet, and it is parked outside near our house. When not in use, it is plugged to 50A supply with HVAC turned on. Summer setting is around 86F. Winter setting is around 45F. We leave the refrigerator on as well. Frost doesn't build when the doors stay closed. We keep batteries up by leaving the boost switch on. Water heater stays off and I usually turn off the water pump. I keep a bit of water in all the tanks and in the toilet to keep seals wet.

We level the coach with the HWH system, then turn off the HWH leveler. There are no leaks, and the coach has never gone out of level. It has sat as long as a few weeks without any change in the leveling.

We do have the advantage of having the coach nearby so that we can check it frequently. If the coach is "abandoned" for many weeks at a time, more conservative storage measures would be appropriate.

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #3 – May 11, 2011, 08:51:37 am

I would not leave the boost switch on all the time. The idea of a charger on the start battery is the better idea.

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #4 – May 11, 2011, 09:18:45 am

Quote from: John S – May 11, 2011, 08:51:37 am

I would not leave the boost switch on all the time. ...

We are on a very reliable power system. We are on site most of the time. Our chassis batteries and house batteries are all AGM, so they have the same charging profile. My understanding is that the boost solenoid is rated for continuous duty. These are the reasons I leave the boost switch on while our coach is parked. Other environments and preferences would lead to different choices.

A small smart charger for the chassis battery would indeed be an excellent alternative to leaving the boost solenoid on. I use Battery Tenders for my motorcycles, which provide an appropriate charging profile for the AGM batteries in the motorcycles. They would probably do well for maintaining batteries in a coach while in storage.

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #5 – May 11, 2011, 07:17:23 pm

You will eventually burn out your boost solenoid if you leave it on and then you will run down your chassis battery anyway. Yes it is rated for continuous use but not for months.

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #6 – May 12, 2011, 03:52:37 am

I keep my coach inside all the time, use it every few months and I find the simplest setup for me.

I mounted a Battery Tender charger (about $35.00) near the engine battery compartment, and wired it in to the electric duplex outlet under the bed, not on the water jacket heater outlet as that is controlled by a switch.

Waterproof 800 International - USA Western Hemisphere - Automotive -

Secondly, I leave the coach plugged in and all normal electric on such as the battery charger system, electric air pump.
If the temp is hot, I set the air conditioner to 75f, and if cold, set the heat to 65f, all automatic and I do not worry about it as I have been doing this for a few years.

The draw back from the air conditioner is the amount of water produced, so I park it near a drain in the floor.

Everyone has their method and reasons for what ever they do, so this is offered as my opinion after a few years of happiness.
Cheers

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storing inside for the summer

May 11, 2011, 06:49:14 am

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #1 – May 11, 2011, 07:43:03 am

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #2 – May 11, 2011, 08:35:49 am

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #3 – May 11, 2011, 08:51:37 am

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #4 – May 11, 2011, 09:18:45 am

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #5 – May 11, 2011, 07:17:23 pm

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #6 – May 12, 2011, 03:52:37 am

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #7 – May 12, 2011, 08:54:14 am

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #8 – May 12, 2011, 01:15:36 pm

Re: storing inside for the summer

Reply #9 – May 12, 2011, 10:28:07 pm

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