[ZekenSpider]

Originally Posted by Juniper Spring

I don't have a three stage, I use a "Batteryminder Plus" maintainer. I'm not knowledgeable about batteries and maintainers or three stages, any idea if it's ok to keep my gel battery plugged into the Batteryminder (maintainer) 24/7 WHILE THE BATTERY'S IN THE COLLAPSED TRAILER, the battery compartment does have a vent.

My experience with a closed 2010 3326K (equipped with a WFCO 55 AMP three stage converter/charger) has been very good. No evidence of hydrogen build up or of battery water loss.

I have plugged my 30 Amp 120 VAC camp ground pigtail into a 120 VAC outlet at my storage yard for several years (since 7/29/09). It remains plugged in as long as it is in storage. I have a battery monitor installed and have mounted it so that I can periodically observe battery voltage and charge current. This charging process works well and I see no evidence of battery damage.

If you do not have a converter/charger that will idle down to "maintenance mode" i.e. trickle charge, you can connect the "battery maintainer" type of charger to the Bargman connector +12VDC and Ground pins and charge or maintain the battery from the hitch connector(TM to TV) even if the TM is folded. You can also measure the battery voltage at the same point. Never let that voltage drop below 12.0 VDC before recharging. When fully charged (on the maintainer), it should rise to 13.2 VDC or a little higher and stay there. When the maintainer is removed (if you decide to), the voltage will slowly drop (over a month or so) and should be recharged before it drops to 12.0 VDC

Probably the safest approach would be to make a special connector that would allow you to plug your TM Bargman into a mating connector that has pigtail leads that you can attach your charger alligator clips to. Just be sure to observe correct polarity.

Attached is a schematic of the 7 pin Bargman attached to your TM.

Hope this helps,

Jerry