phillymac23

Ohio

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Joined: 07/16/2009

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Leave plugged in over the winter? I've kept it plugged in while at home ever sice we've gotten it and didn't know if we should keep it plugged in all winter. I keep it plugged in to keep the battery charged. Also if I should keep it plugged in should I keep the battery hooked up?
Thanks, sorry for so many noobie questions.
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FXSTOHIO

Ohio

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Joined: 01/27/2009

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I wouldn't leave it plugged in over winter it serves no purpose that I can think of. You should remove the battery place it in the basement and put it on a tickle charger till spring that’s how I have done it for the last 20 winters. I also cover mine every year with a rv cover.
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2oldman

Indio CA

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Stay plugged in in storage?
Stay plugged in roast batteries?
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Pangaea Ron

Anacortes, WA, USA

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We leave ours plugged in over the winter (we don't winterize, and use the MH year round). We use ceramic heater/fans to heat and circulate a bit of air. I have a timer that allows me to have the power on for ~20 minutes every 8 hours, and I adjust the time as necessary for colder weather.
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harleyfire18

Woodstock, IL

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In response to the original post in terms of winter storage I would not leave the camper plugged in. You really have to know what kind of converter you have - most of them out there give the battery a constant charge (more than a trickle charger would) and you run the risk of boiling the battery. If you do decide to leave it plugged in I would check the water level on a regular basis. Or just plug it in every once in a while (I would say at least once a month). What I do is leave a battery tender (trickle charger) connected to the battery on the trailer. That way I dont need to take the battery off. In case of emergency or power failure dont forget your trailer would make a great place to stay warm, etc.
You dont have to worry about the battery freezing as long as its kept fully charged. Also the negative cable can be removed from the battery to stop gas alarms and other standby draws on the battery.
The other reason I like just the trickle charger is that it uses a standard extension cord and I have a "in use" cover on the outside outlet that I use so its protected from the elements.
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C.B.

APPLETON WI USA

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Mine is plugged in whenever in the cold storage building no matter what time of year. Never boiled a battery. Can always go out and putts in it whenever I want.
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tvman44

Southwest Louisiana

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With a good 3 stage converter I do it all year long.
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kymike

Pleasureville Ky

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We have had ours five years had to replace battery this year. If it's not moving it's plugged in. That is just my way.
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murphy38

Hebron, MD.

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We have ours plugged in all the time. Keeps the batteries charged and we like to do a few mods in the winter time, run the heater and keep things ready to go just in case we decide to do some winter time camping.
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abc40kids

Dale City,Virginia

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Plugged in all the time,I seem to be in and out of mine all the time.I did have to add water to my batteries last winter.My wife used the 5er as the christmas wrapping station to keep the kids away and at night when she would go out there and turn the heat on it would blow a fuse??? This happened 3 nights and I could'nt figure it out untill I happened to check the batteries and low on water meant low on charge and kept blowing fuses.If I was'nt in mine alot I'd close it up bring the battery inside and wait till spring.
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