Plugging into 110 volt while TM is in garage

[ShrimpBurrito]

Plus, seeing as how hydrogen is odorless, tasteless, and colorless, I'm not sure how you'd know if you were producing hydrogen unless you detected it with an ignition source.....you know, the ka-boom method.

Dave

Back on this subject.

So I went out and bought a three way battery charger and battery successfully charge to 13.48 volts. Four hours later (battery not hook up to anything) I retested and it register 12.51. As per Bill and internet searches on subject of batteries, that is approx. a 70% charge. The battery is only 4 months old. So, I took the battery back to vendor and did what they called a full charge and the manager said the battery not defective. Once again as soon as I got it home I tested and it register 12.61. Not happy with the results. Will return battery again in two days (Manager says he would replace, we will see).

Another subject came up that brang another light into the picture. The manager toad me that once you buy a marine battery off the shelf you should put on charger to get %100 charge. He says that the batteries are only charge 80% when shipped to stores since they don't know how long they will be on shelf. Well, no one toad me this when I bought the battery and I've never heard from anyone that you need to charge a new battery before using. He says it really dosen't matter in cars because the charging system in your vehicle willl fully charge. Not so on rec. vehilces. I cannot find any reference on the internet about charging a new battery. Hoping someone can key in here if this is true or not?

[Bill]

Charge a new battery? Well, it can't be a bad idea, but I never heard of a requirement (or strong advice) to do it.

If you put it in the RV and don't use it, then it is the same as leaving it on the shelf in the store. If you put it in the RV and hook up shore power before you use it much, it is the same as putting it in a car - the vehicle's built-in charger will bring it up. If you put it in the RV and immediately start discharging it without plugging in shore power, then it will begin to discharge, and if it is up to only 80%, then it will reach a discharged state faster. And although a full discharge is not good for it, I'm not sure that a full initial charge vs 80% would change the outcome.

Short answer? I think the salesman is blowing smoke at you.

Bill

[seanlou]

Hi Bill, I was wondering if I could just use an adapter to charge battery for my 2013 2720 TrailManor in the garage periodically during the winter? My previous owner gave me an adapter (see attached). If this is feasible, could you please also advise if I need a special extension cord? how often should I charge the battery (every month?) and how long should it be charged every time?

Thanks so much!
Sean

[seanlou]

I forgot to attach the adapter, here is attached.

[Padgett]

Sure. Only issue is that you need a 20A circuit to run the air conditioner. Otherwise a 15A circuit should be fine.

[RottieMom]

Sean, I think your question was on charging the battery, not running the air cond. I think most folks would advise you to use a battery tender, not plug in the TM and use the converter.

[BrucePerens]

If you have the old WFCO converter, or anything more than a few years old, it will probably cook your battery if left plugged in. You can buy a modern converter that works as well as a battery maintainer. It should say "3-stage" or "4-stage" charger.

[Padgett]

I've used a little 80ma float charger for things parked for a while for years.

[seanlou]

Thanks RottieMom!

Could someone please recommend a battery tender that works for their RV? I have a 2013 2720SD, and I want to charge it periodically to keep the battery level during the winter.