Should I physically disconnect batteries if on shore power for 30+ days?

[Wabbiteer]

Running the old-style univolt without a battery is the surest way of getting a new converter - they require the battery as a ballast load and will get increasingly louder with 60Hz buzzing over hours/days... when the buzzing stops you will need new converter.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by HowieE

Depending on your usage, if you are using a mim. amount of current, it may not hurt the converter but it will hurt your lights. The life expectancy of a light bulb is a function of the voltage applied. The converter will put out more than 13.5 volts and that voltage is enough to kill your lights.

I guess maybe as 2Air points out, it may depend on what setup you have, and that may be a confusing factor in many of us contributing to this thread.

According to my manual, my converter can put out something like 55 amps - more than any load I would impose. The manual also appears to confirm this by indicating that it can power all of the trailers 12v electrical needs.

I have a digital voltmeter installed in my trailer, and when the converter is on, the voltage reads at east 13.5 volts, whether or not the coach batteries are connected.

So in my case, if that voltage is sufficient to significantly shorten bulb life, I guess I'm stuck with that!

I don't seem to have a problem with too frequent bulb replacement though, although the trailer is pretty new to us - only two trips so far!

I'm in the process of converting all the interior lights that we use often to LED. So far, the reading lights at each end of the trailer, and the chandelier over the dinette. I wonder if the voltage will be detrimental to these?

Brian.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

... I wonder if the voltage will be detrimental to these?.

check the voltage AT the fixture or bulb.

cheers
2air'

[Cracker]

I'm starting the third year with a pair of Interstates that stay in the trailer year round. I periodically plug the trailer in for a week or so to maintain the charge and, so far, I can't complain about the Interstates. That's with minus 15 degee nights and as long as a month with below freezing temperatures. For the cost, I'm perfectly content to get a solid two years - and possibly three - out of a set of batteries. I could pay twice as much but I'm not sure so doing would be cost-effective. In my cars and trucks I normally get a good 5 years out of Interstates.