OK to leave connected to shore power during winter storage?

hoppe1 · 11-20-2013, 06:40 PM

Is it OK to leave the camper continuously connected to shore power - even during winter storage? I thought this might extend battery life. I also have an ultrasonic pest deterrent device inside (I know many say these don't work). Thanks.

TrailManorMan · 11-20-2013, 07:29 PM

I don't , extra wear and tear on converter is my reason, I remove battery and use a maintainer for it.

11-20-2013, 07:38 PM

Depends on what convertor you have. Some of the newer and aftermarket convertors are 4 stage automatic and should be OK permanently connected, Older ones that just switch to trickle when charged should not be left connected.

mcgyver210 · 11-20-2013, 11:21 PM

Ours has always been connected & fully setup in yard since new. My wife likes it to be setup so she can check on it. We have a dedicated pedestal with surge protection.

hoppe1 · 11-21-2013, 02:39 PM

Thanks very much for the responses. It sounds like there's not a definitive answer. By the way I have a 2012 2720SL. I cannot get my signature to appear in my posts for some reason (I have checked "show your signature".
Thanks again.

**Bill** · 11-21-2013, 07:08 PM

Hoppe1 -

Your signature is showing for me, two short lines of text. Did you change something? Or are you thinking something else should show?

Bill

12-10-2013, 09:32 AM

I have a 2011 2720 and the prior owners left it plugged in all the time. It was stored in a garage closed up. When I got it home and it sat for a couple weeks the battery was smack dead. Upon checking liquid level in the battery, there wasn't any. Apparently mine charges constantly and had boiled the battery dry. Now have a new battery, but I don't keep mine plugged in. Will just trickle charge every couple months.

**Bill** · 12-10-2013, 10:43 AM

Joe -

A trickle charge every couple months won't keep the battery in good shape unless you disconnect the battery from the TM. The TM has enough "phantom loads" (aka "parasitic loads") that the battery will go flat within a week.

A trickle charger may be OK if you disconnect the battery. Either remove the positve connection from the battery post, or remove the main battery fuse. Or install a battery disconnect switch, as many have done.

Some of our members are less than enthusiastic about a cheap trickle charger. You'll need to do a Search to find the reasons.

Bill

12-13-2013, 08:06 PM

Bill, I always pull the main battery fuse when I park it in the garage. I may get a battery tender for it, but haven't yet. Anything special needed for a spiral cell battery? Not spending 200 plus for the Optima one..

Brittany Dogs · 12-14-2013, 08:13 AM

I own both the Battery Tender and a Battery Tender Plus. I hook up the regular battery tender to the dual batteries in my unit and place the transformer portion in the rear bumper area protected from rain and snow but still getting air to keep dry. I then run an extension cord to the bumper area to power the battery tender transformer.

I use a knife switch to disconnect the TrailManor loads from the batteries during long storage. Pulling the main fuse does the same purpose.

I think the battery tender products are designed well enough to not boil out the batteries. The max current, if I remember correctly is slightly less than or about an amp.

I use the battery tender plus to recharge a pair of 34 amphour sealed lead acid batteries I use for hunting camp. It charges at 1.75 amps then goes into maintenance mode. That is fairly gentle on such batteries.

Getting back to the trailer, the method above has worked great and the batteries are in great shape in spring.