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Storage

I need to put the motorhome in storage for a few months while I try and sell the house. The storage unit has power via 120. Can I get a 50 to 15 dogbone to keep my house batteries charged? I'll be turning off the fridge while it's in storage.

Mike
Mike (Shelby the wonder dog)
2003 U320 (Barry Beams old coach)
2012 Honda CRV

Re: Storage

Reply #1 –
While 15 male to 50 female adapters are made, most use two: 15 to 30 and 30 to 50.

Be sure to add a BIOCIDE such as BiobarJF to the diesel and completely fill the fuel tank to minimize condensation.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Storage

Reply #2 –
yes on all of that - you may need 50 to 30 and then 30 to 15 (common 110V) adapters

camping world, gander, any RV store or Amazon will have - yes your batteries will be UP IF you have a trik-l-start or similar on the unit or if you keep boost switch on (I am not fond of this solution but OK for shorter periods
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Storage

Reply #3 –
I'll top off the tank and add BIOCIDE. I'll dump the grey/black, but do I need to empty the fresh? Also, do I turn off the inverter?

Mike
Mike (Shelby the wonder dog)
2003 U320 (Barry Beams old coach)
2012 Honda CRV

Re: Storage

Reply #4 –
I prefer to leave the tanks full rather than empty.  I don't know how others feel about that. 
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Storage

Reply #5 –
I like to leave the fresh full.  If it is more than a couple weeks then I drain it and water the yard.  Add a bit of bleach (2 tbsp) and refill before we go. 

Fuel full with biocide.

Waste tanks empty.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Storage

Reply #6 –
I just ordered Biocide and found they have 30 amp at the storage site. So already have the 30 amp dogbone. I'll go over on the 1st and turn on the generator and aquahot.

Mike
Mike (Shelby the wonder dog)
2003 U320 (Barry Beams old coach)
2012 Honda CRV

Re: Storage

Reply #7 –
As far as inverter on/off, read your inverter/charger owners manual.  On most leaving it OFF is correct in that it will continue to charge the batteries BUT if power goes off, it will not draw down the batteries as they do use power even in "standby mode".

And, do make arrangements (several good solutions) to keep the chassis batteries charged.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Storage

Reply #8 –
If not already mentioned leave diesel as full as possible, add biocide and drive a bit to get it throughout system, although tank is where it really grows if water accumulates due to condensation in tank
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Storage

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
If not already mentioned leave diesel as full as possible, add biocide and drive a bit to get it throughout system, although tank is where it really grows if water accumulates due to condensation in tank
Won't get it till next week. I guess I'll have to go and locate some before I leave on Friday. I found some at O'Reilly's. It's Power service Bio Clean.

Mike
Mike (Shelby the wonder dog)
2003 U320 (Barry Beams old coach)
2012 Honda CRV

Re: Storage

Reply #10 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
As far as inverter on/off, read your inverter/charger owners manual.  On most leaving it OFF is correct in that it will continue to charge the batteries BUT if power goes off, it will not draw down the batteries as they do use power even in "standby mode".

And, do make arrangements (several good solutions) to keep the chassis batteries charged.
I'm going to take my battery tender with me and hook it up to them. Do I put positive on one battery and then negative on the other? I have 3 optima batteries.
Mike (Shelby the wonder dog)
2003 U320 (Barry Beams old coach)
2012 Honda CRV

Re: Storage

Reply #11 –
Quote from: 71stpsde –
Do I put positive on one battery and then negative on the other? I have 3 optima batteries.

Yes, connect positive to the lug with cable going to coach and the negative to the battery on the other end (that should be connected to chassis ground).

You want the electrons to flow through all batteries.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Storage

Reply #12 –
Add some fresh water with fabric softner to the holding tanks. IMHO empty they will dry the sediment and maybe shrink a bit .

Re: Storage

Reply #13 –
Also make sure that the coach has good ventilation.  Keep the fantastic fan open at least.  Take out all food products to keep the critters out and leave cupboard doors, fridge and draws slightly open.  Turn off propane at the tank.  Turn off salesman switch at the door.  If there is any chance of freezing remove all items likely to freeze.  Put a couple of tennis balls under the wiper arms to releave pressure on the wiper blades.  Put some repellant such as peppermint oil in the bays and inside to deter rodents.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Storage

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Keith and Joyce –
Also make sure that the coach has good ventilation.  Keep the fantastic fan open at least.  Take out all food products to keep the critters out and leave cupboard doors, fridge and draws slightly open.  Turn off propane at the tank.  Turn off salesman switch at the door.  If there is any chance of freezing remove all items likely to freeze.  Put a couple of tennis balls under the wiper arms to releave pressure on the wiper blades.  Put some repellant such as peppermint oil in the bays and inside to deter rodents.

Keith

OR, if storing in a humid area, I highly recommend a small house-type dehumidifier (30 pint). Let it drain into the gray tank.  Set it at 50% humidity. Do this on all our RV's and sailboats.

Totally prevents that musty smell.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Storage

Reply #15 –
Do check the trickl charger after installation.  I had one fail.  Green light on.  No power.  Killed three optima's
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Storage

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
Add some fresh water with fabric softner to the holding tanks. IMHO empty they will dry the sediment and maybe shrink a bit .
I always put about 5 gallons with the deodorizer in the black tank after emptying. I'll put some fabric softener in the grey tank.
Mike (Shelby the wonder dog)
2003 U320 (Barry Beams old coach)
2012 Honda CRV

Re: Storage

Reply #17 –
What's the fabric softener in the gray tank for?
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired
 

Re: Storage

Reply #18 –
Remove all food products from your rig and leave your fridge doors ajar.  Use twine or a rope to ensure the fridge doors remain open.  Don't use a block or stick as these will deform your fridge door seal.  If your rig is stored inside do not leave the auto gen start switch on.  Under kitchen sink water filter?  I'd remove it and store it in you air conditioned house.  Leaving a fantastic vent open partially is ok if parked inside, otherwise a wind storm will remove it and leave you with a dirty mess.  Had this happen to me while our 5W was stored outside in Las Vegas and the vent cover was shut!!  Empty the gray and black tanks.  If you fill your fresh water tank I would add some bleach to extend the shelf life of the water.  In any case if you leave the rig in storage for an extended period, you will want to sanitize the fresh water system just to be safe.  Stay safe, wash you hands.

David
David & Sherry Kendrick
"Gizmo" The Doggy Lama
USAF(Ret) 1971-75; 1979-95 (20 yrs)
2003 U320 F03 [6179] 38PBDS (3/2016)
2016 Chev Silverado Z71 LTZ
Motorcade 17738
--------------------------------------
New Horizons 5W 25' RKS (1/2004 - 3/2016)
2003 Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax
Tent (5-person) White Stag (1972 - 2003)