goufgators
Crawfordville, Florida
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Joined: 04/26/2008
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When the tt is parked (not used)for a couple months, is it better to leave it plugged in so the unit's battery charger (inverter ?) will keep the battery charged or better to simply put an automatic float charger on the battery without supplying power to the tt?
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nny12972
NY
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Joined: 10/25/2006
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The OP options/specs don't compute???????
BUT, it's "better" to keep a quality multi-stage charger on it(either part of the RV charger/converter, or an after-market M-S charger), and check fluid every 3-4 weeks....and turn off all 12V appliances...and turn off 12V breakers, and remove fuses from 12V appliances AND CO/smoke/LPG sensors....
Suggest you Google and read "The 12 Volt Side of Life" for starters....good luck!
J
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Pull-Tab
Central Ohio
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If you are going to leave it for months on end, take the battery out of it where you can monitor it. Leaving it connected if you don't have everything turned off you will kill it. If you leave it plugged in you're likely to overcharge and boil the battery dry. Most converters I find are not good managers of batteries left to themselves for long periods.
6.7 Cummins Turbo Diesel/Heartland Bighorn 2925/Garmin 2610 GPS/
Rally attendance "10"
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Smithroyal
Salt Lake City, Utah
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Joined: 08/27/2007
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I agree with Pull-Tab. My converter is not a good manager of my batteries. I found it is less hassle to disconnect my batteries (quick disconnect), that eliminates all the parasitic power drains. Then use a good external charger to put a full charge on them. Also as stated above, check the water level now and again. Good luck.
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goufgators
Crawfordville, Florida
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Joined: 04/26/2008
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nny12972 wrote:The OP options/specs don't compute???????
BUT, it's "better" to keep a quality multi-stage charger on it(either part of the RV charger/converter, or an after-market M-S charger), and check fluid every 3-4 weeks....and turn off all 12V appliances...and turn off 12V breakers, and remove fuses from 12V appliances AND CO/smoke/LPG sensors....
Suggest you Google and read "The 12 Volt Side of Life" for starters....good luck!
J
O.K., I said "inverter" when I should have said "converter"! Can you ever forgive me??????? / That said, thanks to you and others who gave good advice on the question asked. Again, thanks!
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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Joined: 07/03/2005
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Plug it in to shore power for a week or so and check the battery voltage reading. If it is in the area of 13.2v you have a converter that has a maintainance mode and it can be left plugged it all the time. If the voltage is the 13.6 or 13.7v range that is too high and will cook the water out of your batteries over time. In that case a small battery maintainer (3/4 - 1 1/2a) like the Schumacher ones that Walmart has will keep them in good shape. If you unhook one of the battery cables you will be sure there is no draw on your batteries that can't easily be shut off like your CO monitor.
Jim
Jim, Sharon and Buddy the Yorkie
1999 Gulfstream Sun Voyager 31' ISB Cummins 275
AIMS 2500w inverter 4-6v GC batteries
4-Kyocera 130w solar panels SB3024iL MPPT controller
Pressure Pro TPMS
1987 Suzuki Samurai tintop Toad w/VW 1.6 turbo diesel power
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Pull-Tab
Central Ohio
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LOL! Gator, we knew what you meant to say, don't sweat it. Some folks need precision in definition  We are all here to help one another (or at least I hope so). Enjoy your travels and camping!
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