Interesting article in week 52 Newsletter regarding leaving RV plugged in all the time. I have a 2009 189FBS which I overwinter here in Vancouver Canada. As my converter is most likely an older model, I installed a battery cutoff switch so I can keep plugged in to run a little non-circulating heater. Once a month I turn on the cutoff switch for 2-3 days just to keep the battery charged, seems to work.
Maybe keep the batteries on a trickle charger? I use a BatteryMinder Plus.
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2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
Install a 4 stage charger and you can leave it plugged in all the time. I never plug mine in. I let it charge on a proper solar charger. I just clear the snow off the panels.
There are two risks when leaving your RV plugged in all the time, one is the microwave with the digital control pad can contract in extreme cold weather and turn on burning the inside of the unit. Also the converter like anything electronic life can be greatly reduced from being used continuously. Silverado
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2015 FunFinder 210uds, 2014 Silverado LTZ-Z71 Regular Cab Short Box, 5.3l with towing package
Being that you are running an electric heater in the camper and you are monitoring the power to the battery I would say that you should be OK. Just remember to keep an eye on the battery water level.
I installed a Renogy DC-DC charger between the Converter and the battery as from my experience the original Converter just fries the batteries within a few months from over charging. Tha DC-DC is programmable which allows the proper charging parameters to be set to not ruin the batteries.
Once a month I turn on the cutoff switch for 2-3 days just to keep the battery charged, seems to work.
That's what I do. We only use the battery for break-away operation when towing. Since the battery is over 12 years old I may go with a battery tender when I replace it this spring.
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Alan
2005 T139FK
1995 Chevy G20 aka "Big Blue",
1994 GMC Camper Van,
APD,
I thought I would let you know that alternate battery styles have come down in price and I just ordered two 100 Amp Hour SLA (sealed lead acid) Gel batteries from Amazon for $154 each. The brand is Weize which seems to be a well-respected brand for solar projects. That puts them at or cheaper than many of the deep cycle marine batteries. I'll probably be writing a description of them and posting in a new thread.
Jim
APD,
I thought I would let you know that alternate battery styles have come down in price and I just ordered two 100 Amp Hour SLA (sealed lead acid) Gel batteries from Amazon for $154 each. The brand is Weize which seems to be a well-respected brand for solar projects. That puts them at or cheaper than many of the deep cycle marine batteries. I'll probably be writing a description of them and posting in a new thread.
Jim
I look forward to that Jim.
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Alan
2005 T139FK
1995 Chevy G20 aka "Big Blue",
1994 GMC Camper Van,
Can I leave my RV plugged in all the time
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