Plugged-In

[Bk Yd Safari]

Just wondering if you keep your AS at home how often do plug into a power supply to keep the batteries charged?

[Rebee]

Yes, it is at my home and I do not unplug the unit.

[Silver Goose]

Yes, also kept at home, keep I keep it plugged in, but it has an Intellipower Charge Wizard converter. I still check the electrolyte levels every couple of months to be watchful.

[wolf146]

I keep my trailer next to my house and keep the trailer plugged into an outlet with a timer that charges the battery every day for one hour. I have used this procedure for over twenty years.
wolf146

[Silver Goose]

One caveat... If you have fire ants or another imported variety of a little red vicious red ant recently found in some southern states, you may find that they are inexplicably attracted to live electrical circuits and find their way into switches, relays, fuse boxes and other components raising havoc. If you keep the trailer at home you may notice their activity and nearby mounds and can take action to head off trouble.

[Diesel1]

Originally Posted by wolf146

I keep my trailer next to my house and keep the trailer plugged into an outlet with a timer that charges the battery every day for one hour. I have used this procedure for over twenty years.
wolf146

I like this idea. I leave mine unplugged most of the time because the antique charger cooks the battery. Adios, John

[TBRich]

Ours remains pluggged in 24/7 at home. (We have AGM batteries with a solar system, but it is stored under cover.)

[idmtman]

When at home I remove the batteries and use a battery minder to keep the batteries fully charged.

[bukib]

I keep my 93 Land Yacht plugged in 24/7/365 with the aux batt switch turned ON. It bypasses all of the inverters, converters and isolators. When we get ready to go we simply unplug it and let the alternator take over. I have NEVER had a boilover, burnt cables or dry batteries. Life can be very simple if you don't pay any attention to what the 'experts' say. Just do it.

[Skater]

We keep ours plugged in - I put a 3-stage converter in, and you never know when there's going to be a long power outage in our area, so it's best to keep the camper ready to go.

Originally Posted by bukib

I keep my 93 Land Yacht plugged in 24/7/365 with the aux batt switch turned ON. It bypasses all of the inverters, converters and isolators.

In this configuration, what is actually charging the battery?

[moosetags]

When Lucy is stored at our home, she is plugged in all of the time. We never even turn the refrigerator off.

Brian

[MrUKToad]

When Towed Haul is on the drive, she's hooked up to the power all the time. Like Moosetags, we even leave the fridge on, but that's to keep the cold drinks in when we sit out in her to escape the kids!

[Jimdee07]

10-4 same as Moosetags.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Bk Yd Safari

Just wondering if you keep your AS at home how often do plug into a power supply to keep the batteries charged?

Whenever the reading drops below 12.2v, (40%).
Batteries removed for Winter storage, same procedure.

Bob

[Phoenix]

Plugged in 24/7, with marine battery switch turned OFF. This makes 110v and 12v available anytime, but prevents overcharging or discharging the batteries. Once a month, I turn the battery switch ON for each battery (separately), overnight, to keep them charged up for next use.

[clancy_boy]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Plugged in 24/7, with marine battery switch turned OFF. This makes 110v and 12v available anytime, but prevents overcharging or discharging the batteries. Once a month, I turn the battery switch ON for each battery (separately), overnight, to keep them charged up for next use.

Do the same - put the switch in myself. Only difference, I put a load on the battery for one hour every 4-5 weeks with the lights on and the 120V cord unplugged. Then I recharge for 24 hours and turn the battery disconnect switch off for another 4-5 weeks.

The trailer is between my house and detached garage where I park so it's easy.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Plugged in 24/7, with marine battery switch turned OFF. This makes 110v and 12v available anytime, but prevents overcharging or discharging the batteries. Once a month, I turn the battery switch ON for each battery (separately), overnight, to keep them charged up for next use.

POI,

IOTA 55a DLS IQ4 Converter....12v & 110v available whether batt's installed or not.

Bob

[Mexray]

We also keep our AS plugged in to Shore Power at home - we have a 3-stage converter/charger to keep the batteries topped off in the 'Float' mode, automatically...

We have a boat that's in the water all the time, and it's Marine charger doesn't have a 'Float' mode, so we've used the 'Timer' method for many years to keep the batteries charged up - it only allows the charger to run for about 45 mins in a 24 hour period...

Ant problems were mentioned above - If you haven't heard about this stuff (Terro) for your ant problems, give it a try!!! It's a 'syrup' like liquid that you put next to the ant trail - they love the stuff! - They cart it back to their nest and it kills em' all! It takes a few days, but it's by far the greatest ant killer I've ever used! Ant Problem? Terro = Ant Control Solutions

[Silver Goose]

Originally Posted by Mexray

... Ant problems were mentioned above - If you haven't heard about this stuff (Terro) for your ant problems, give it a try!!! It's a 'syrup' like liquid that you put next to the ant trail - they love the stuff! - They cart it back to their nest and it kills em' all! It takes a few days, but it's by far the greatest ant killer I've ever used! Ant Problem? Terro = Ant Control Solutions

Someone recommended Terro to me several years ago and at that time Lowes was the only place I found that carried it. I think Walmart and others carry it now. I've used it ever since and agree that it is quite effective against ants. Last year I picked up a colony at a campground and unwittingly brought them home. I put a couple of drops each on some small cardboard squares and set them out where I saw activity. Within a hour each drop was hosting a ring of ants. They looked like hogs at the trough. In 2 days not an ant could be found.

In addition to the small bottles of syrup, they package it in disposable clear plastic packs. Snip off a corner and place it near an ant trail. It simplifies cleanup and there's less handling involved. It is easy to slip one in the converter enclosure if you find you have a variety that is attracted to live electrical components.