Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: To Plug or Not to Plug
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 > To Plug or Not to Plug

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wishn2escape

Louisiana

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Posted: 10/29/09 12:14pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

My son just bought his first TT. What he would like to know is if most people plug theirs in while not in use. I have always owned MH's and we do leave ours plugged in while not in use.
What is the effect on batteries &/or Refrigertor?
Thanks for you help.

Susan

Mandalay Parr

Phoenix, AZ

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Posted: 10/29/09 12:24pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I would leave it Plugged in.


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jbealecass

MI

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Posted: 10/29/09 12:25pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Gee Susan, we keep ours several miles from our home at a storage facility. We turn off the propane, disconnect the battery, and open the frige doors when it is in storage--no electricity available. Also we do not see it for 6 months over the winter. I can't think why you would want to run the frige when not using it. But perhaps folks who have the luxury of keeping their TT's at home and/or live in warmer states like yours may have a better answer.

taborekle

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Posted: 10/29/09 12:31pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

If the travel trailer has a 3 stage charger, then he would be find leaving it plugged in. Usually the 3rd stage of a 3 stage charger is a maintenance or float charge. 2 stage chargers may over time boil off some of the battery fluid.

If you don't plug it in, then it's best to disconnect the battery to keep the battery from getting discharged. If you discharge a battery and leave it that way for some time, it will ruin it.

craziecritter

Garner, N.C.

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Posted: 10/29/09 12:34pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Ours is at home in our driveway on a parking pad. We leave it plugged in 24/7.


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Posted: 10/29/09 12:37pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Susan

Here is nor harm in leaving it plugged in… the batteries will need checked occasionally for water level… the fridge can be turned off or left on if it is level but if not being used there is no sense in leaving it on… In Louisiana it might be a good idea to leave it plugged in and use a dehumidifier at times…


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skipnchar

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Posted: 10/29/09 01:20pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

There really is no single answer that is correct for all circumstances. IF they have a good converter that doesn't boil electrolyte out of the battery too quickly AND there is any REASON for leaving it plugged in, then that's the way to go. If there is no REASON to leave it plugged in OR the converter DOES tend to boil the battery dry OR they aren't available to frequently check and add electrolyte when needed, then it should be left unplugged. IF it's left unplugged then there should be SOME means of isolating the battery from any drain in the RV. The easiest and cheapest way to accomplish this is to just disconnect the negative lead on the battery.


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mecreature

Indianapolis, IN

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Posted: 10/29/09 01:20pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I leave mine plugged in for several days every couple weeks when not in use.

hotbyte

Barnesville GA

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Posted: 10/29/09 01:30pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We kept our 5'er at home plugged in and now keep MH at home plugged in. We keep fridge loaded with basic items. After a trip, we only remove things like meats, fresh vegetables, milk, etc. We try to use our RV at least once each month. So far, in the 4 or 5 years, we've managed to do that except a handful of months.


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SteveRankin

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Posted: 10/29/09 01:52pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

While we have a high-end converter charger with the 3-stage Charge Wizard, we normally leave the trailer unplugged. When the trailer is in the barn, we plug it in occasionally for a few days. When it's outside, we let the solar panels handle the job.


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