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Topic: Storage, keep power to coach. (Read 704 times) previous topic - next topic

Storage, keep power to coach.

We are parking our coach for a few months on our property and I've kept it plugged in to keep the inverter on so the house batteries keep charged up. I'm wondering if this is a good idea or not. The inverter is reading around 123 to 126 consistently.
Greg and Viv
2001 U320 36'
Build 5907

2007 Honda CRV

Re: Storage, keep power to coach.

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Greg and Viv –
We are parking our coach for a few months on our property and I've kept it plugged in to keep the inverter on so the house batteries keep charged up. I'm wondering if this is a good idea or not. The inverter is reading around 123 to 126 consistently.
Yes, it is a good idea to keep the coach attached to shore power. (My opinion! Other opinions may vary.)

I would expect you might keep the inverter (makes 120VAC from 12VDC) off. You are supplying 120VAC from shore power to keep the converter (makes 12VDC from 120VAC, a.k.a. as charger or maintainer). You would want to leave the converter, or charger, on. That will keep the house batteries charged.

You should also have a means to keep the chassis (starter) batteries charged. For maintaining the charge on the chassis batteries, there are several alternatives that have been discussed at length on this forum. We use a Battery Tender to maintain the charge on the chassis batteries. The Battery Tender is a small "smart" charger that runs from the shore power when the coach is plugged in.

We leave our coach plugged to a 50A circuit when in storage. We set the air conditioners for 86F or the heaters for 45F, depending on season.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Storage, keep power to coach.

Reply #2 –
In my opinion, if you're going to be around to monitor things, by all means leave it plugged-in and check on things to make sure the fridge is working right and the plumbing is exercised along with the monthly 30 mile runs (don't forget to use all A/C's, roof & dash).

On the other hand, if you'll be away w/o observation or monitoring, I would unplug everything including the batteries, dump the water tanks, fill the fuel tank and add a biocide and when you return in 6 months recharge all batteries and perform all PM before heading out again.

Of course others' opinions will vary.

Peter

(edit)  I prefer to unplug...What if you lose power?  The inverter will drain the batteries to full discharge and then you will need new batteries.  The fridge will be mouldy, etc.  You get the point.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Storage, keep power to coach.

Reply #3 –
Thanks. I never thought about keeping the fridge on. Whats the 30 mile run your talking about? Take the wife for a short over nighter...
Greg and Viv
2001 U320 36'
Build 5907

2007 Honda CRV

Re: Storage, keep power to coach.

Reply #4 –
Greg,

If the DW wants to join you for the work-out...all the better... ^.^d

The coach should be exercised once a month by driving it about 30 miles to get all the transmission seals, engine, brakes, A/C, etc. in good working order.  Imagine how you would feel after sitting in your chair watching TV for 30 days and then trying to go for a one mile run?  :o

This is likely the most important PM work you do to your coach!.\

However, if you're going to be away for a long period of time, then you just need to exercise caution when restarting the coach systems back up.

Peter
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Storage, keep power to coach.

Reply #5 –
I agree with Peter's recommendation if the coach is unattended. Our coach is 100' from our door and we visit it almost daily. We also leave the refrigerator on most of the time.

I "exercise" the coach at least every month. If we don't travel, I take if for a drive of about 20 miles, including several miles at 60-65 mph. I honk the horns, move the mirrors, run the generator, flush the toilet, run the air conditioners, etc. The movement keeps seals lubricated and supple, exercises the tires, lets you know that all is still working. On one the exercise runs, I noticed that the alternator had failed. I got if fixed before the next road trip. It's much more convenient to have a failure on an exercise run than on a "real" adventure.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Storage, keep power to coach.

Reply #6 –
J.D., that makes a lot of sense, better to find out a problem close to home than on the freeway.
Greg and Viv
2001 U320 36'
Build 5907

2007 Honda CRV

Re: Storage, keep power to coach.

Reply #7 –
Service writers at FOT refer to "lot rot." That's the stuff that worked the last time the coach moved, but doesn't work now. I think they see it a lot. "Well, it was working when I left the coach here."

Corollary is, "The longer it sits, the more stuff goes wrong." That might be true -- don't know -- just saying. :D
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Storage, keep power to coach.

Reply #8 –
Keeping the rig plugged in is not a good idea if you have an older converter/charger; one that delivers a "trickle charge" to the batteries. These are infamous for boiling out batteries. We changed to a 3-stage "smart" converter/controller. Until we did I was always worried about the batteries. Plus the old converter made a humming noise all the time.

I do not know when FT started installing smart charger/converters in their units but I suspect someone here does.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Storage, keep power to coach.

Reply #9 –
Learned this the hard way when the stock charger killed my battery.  My only problem is the bay under the stairs where the converter/charger is located gets really warm in summer and that thing is running 24/7.  I had one burn up so I sent it back and they replaced it but I probably should try to ventilate that compartment.  Something else to think about when keeping it plugged in.  Otherwise there is no downside as far as I can see.
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060