Battery disconnect

[whitegs]

I've read that the AS charger can ruin batteries if left on too long. I'm at a campsite with shore power. Should I disconnect the batteries so they don't get over charged?
I did turn the disconnect switch to store position but the light is still on. Is that because I am connected to shore power? Is it smart to disconnect the batteries while connected to shore power?

Thanks.

Richard (newbie)

[lsbrodsky]

Richard:

"Store" disconnects the battery from the converter/charger so it is sufficient to put the switch in "Store" if you are going to be on shore power for a while. You still have all of the 12v electronics because the converter is being fed from shore power.

Larry

[whitegs]

Originally Posted by lsbrodsky

Richard:

"Store" disconnects the battery from the converter/charger so it is sufficient to put the switch in "Store" if you are going to be on shore power for a while. You still have all of the 12v electronics because the converter is being fed from shore power.

Larry

Thanks. I figured that. What confuses me is that the light on the switch stays on even though I put it in "store". Is that because of the 110 shore power? Of course I could test it by disconnecting shore power which I will in two days when we pull up stakes.

[lsbrodsky]

When you are plugged in to shore power, the light stays red all of the time. When you are disconnected, the light will be off in "Store"

Larry

[whitegs]

Originally Posted by lsbrodsky

When you are plugged in to shore power, the light stays red all of the time. When you are disconnected, the light will be off in "Store"

Larry

Thanks. I figured as much but just wanted to be sure. With my brand new trailer, I just feel so stupid about so many small things. But I'm learning.

Richard

[silverbp]

Yes that light will remain on when your on shore power. I had the same questions as you and also disconnected shore power then moved switch to store. Light went out. I leave mine in store mode most of the time. I do check batteries every so often just to insure they don't go dead. Here is a handy tool I use. I copied picture and placed on my phone.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums silver bp

[DreamStreamr]

A bunch of us have gone thru what you are. Seems that most change out the single stage charger converter for a better unit like Progressive Dynamics Intellipower 9260. We bought ours on sale, drop shipped to the next campground. DIY installation took an afternoon. No more worries about the charger cooking the batteries.


Dreamstreamr
2005 International CCD 25SS
http://Dreamstreamr.com

[alano]

Another option is to upgrade to a solar charger which includes a 3-stage battery charger. Many folks who do this keep their original converter and simply keep their trailer in the Store position when connected to shore power.

[DreamStreamr]

+1 what Alano says. Similar to his suggestion, we simply turn off the charger at the breaker panel. One circuit breaker has only the charger. While electrical code and best practice preclude using a circuit breaker as an on/off switch, this has worked well for us for many years.

It allows keeping the batteries maintained on solar only. Our solar charger is very good at keeping our batteries happy and has easily-adjusted voltage float point.


Dreamstreamr
2005 International CCD 25SS
http://Dreamstreamr.com

[lsbrodsky]

Your solar charger, if stock, is going to charge the batteries independent of the use-store switch position as the solar panels do not connect through that relay. Solar will always charge the batteries.
Larry