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07-02-2017, 08:59 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 56
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Preventing battery from dying
My apologies if this is a stupid question or in the wrong forum. We are coming off an Interstate and moving into a 27FB Serenity. The rig will be used around once a month and otherwise stored indoors with just a simple power outlet available.
I was well versed in keeping the batteries fresh in the AI, but not at all sure if I'm supposed to do anything special with the 27FB while it's stored to ensure the batteries don't die.
Thank you in advance for any tips and advice!
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07-02-2017, 09:45 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
Pleasanton
, California
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 745
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Not a dumb question. If your converter has been upgraded to a three/four stage battery charger, then you have nothing to worry about. If it hasn't, then be careful to not leave the batteries connected to the converter while on shore power for a month. Better to buy a Battery Tender or upgrade your converter if you intend on keeping your batteries topped up during the month that they're in storage.
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Al, K6IV
2015 30' Classic, "Chez Nu"
2014 RAM 2500 w/Cummins Diesel
ProPride Hitch, 400 W Solar
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07-03-2017, 04:36 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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As an experienced Airstreamer, the best solution might be to glance at the long list of threads in this sub-forum about batteries dying from bad storage practices.
Yes your batteries will probably die prematurely if you leave the new trailer for a month without doing something like installing a multi-stage charger as just suggested.
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07-03-2017, 06:08 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
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For your circumstances I (and most others here) highly recommend that you get a new multi stage charger. Progressive Dynamics makes one that is plug compatible with the POS unit that Airstream uses on their new trailers and costs around $300 (plus install if you don't DIY.) It will be the best $300 you ever spend on this hobby.
__________________
Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
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07-03-2017, 12:04 PM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Selbyville
, Delaware
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 216
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Hi
I took delivery of my 2016 25' FC April 20 2016. It was sitting on the lot outside here in the northeast from December 2015 until I took delivery and have nothing but trouble with them. They go from a full charge to 9.5 volts in ten days, essentially dead. I never left them connected for more than a few days to shore power.
Last winter I bought 2 NOCO smart chargers and left them in my garage on the trickle until I reinstalled them in April. Even so, this season they barely last the night boondocking with just the refrigerator on propane.
So hopefully my dealer will replace them on warranty later this month so I can care for them properly and maybe get 2 years out of them until I can get my multi stage charger installed. That is the only solution.
__________________
Jamie
2016 25' RBT Flying Cloud "Bullseye"
2016 Chevy 2500 High Country Duramax Diesel
WBCCI #9026 Delmarva Unit
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07-03-2017, 12:20 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaddysBus
. . .
Thank you in advance for any tips and advice!
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This Battery School material is great reading for general background and advice on RV batteries:
http://www.batteriesnorthwest.com/ba...hool.cfm?TID=0
Happy Trails!
Peter
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07-03-2017, 02:07 PM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 56
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Awesome. Thank you for the tips. More items added to the shopping list and weekend to do list.
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07-04-2017, 10:11 AM
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#8
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PSU1981
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Conroe
, Texas
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 284
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I have upgraded to a Progressive Dynamics multi stage charger - so I could leave it plugged into a 120 outlet -- however this would leave my 50 AMP cord exposed for theft at the storage facility. I simply remove the neg terminal connections & battery stays fine.
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07-04-2017, 01:45 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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How long do you leave the trailer that way, and what is the battery voltage when you go back?
If the only 120-volt use is the battery charger, you could use a 50' #12 extension cord (or smaller depending on where the outlet is) and adapt to the trailer with this:
https://www.amazon.com/Furrion-FP301...amp+rv+adapter
Still can be stolen but the loss would be less.
Thanks,
Peter
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07-04-2017, 02:55 PM
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#10
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,746
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Hi
How old / new is the trailer? There are a surprisingly large number of variations in how these things are wired up between 2018, 2017, and previous years.
Bob
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07-04-2017, 03:00 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,657
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There are things in an RV that can't be turned off (legally). The propane detector and the CO detector. So, even with the power off, the batteries will still be discharging.
Yes, a battery tender is probably the easiest solution, or a master disconnect such as boats have.
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07-04-2017, 07:43 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle_bob
Hi
How old / new is the trailer? There are a surprisingly large number of variations in how these things are wired up between 2018, 2017, and previous years.
Bob
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It'll be a 2018 International Serenity 27FB. Arriving next week. It'll be stored indoors at a secure space with 120v outlet readily available.
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07-04-2017, 08:10 PM
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#13
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,746
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaddysBus
It'll be a 2018 International Serenity 27FB. Arriving next week. It'll be stored indoors at a secure space with 120v outlet readily available.
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Hi
So it has (yet another) unique disconnect process for the battery / shore power. Grab a Battery Tender, plug it into the 120V and hook it to the batteries via the connector for the Zamp solar stuff. Put the unit in "store / disconnect" mode whenever it's in storage ...
Bob
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07-04-2017, 09:59 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Newberg
, Oregon
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,052
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I was under the impression that all the new ASs had multi stage smart chargers? Or is it just the Classics?
Mike
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07-05-2017, 06:01 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 56
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Thanks Bob!
Mike, this one (the international line) does have a new multistage charging for 2018.
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07-05-2017, 09:51 AM
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#16
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,746
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Caffeinated
I was under the impression that all the new ASs had multi stage smart chargers? Or is it just the Classics?
Mike
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Hi
All AS models have had "multistage" chargers for quite a while. The ongoing debate has been about how effective (or not) those chargers actually are. It's sort of a "how stupid can it be and still be a smart charger" thing.
Many of us are looking for real details on the "new" chargers. There's been enough contradictory yack that digging into an actual trailer is probably the only way to sort it all out. Yes, a good detailed owners manual would sort part of it out. I'm not expecting one on the web for a while.
Just to be clear, no, I don't expect a super duper charger to suddenly appear on the 2018's. I'm pretty sure that aftermarket chargers will still beat whatever they are using. The question is - how tight a race is it this time?
Bob
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