Probably an old topic about storing

[Ridget]

We have a 2017 Airstream Tommy Bahama. We store in a 3 sided bay open on one end. There is not enough light to get any benefit from solar. The C02 detector is wired directly to the battery creating a slow trickle. The dealer said since we store on shore power, it’s OK to store in USE MODE versus STORE MODE to maintain the battery (4 stage charging).
Some commentary on another forum said you will damage the converter doing that. Any expert opinions to share? Thanks.

[ROBERT CROSS]

You store at home?

I put a switch on the LPG detector....off in storage.


We have two grp27 Lifeline AGM's. When the trailer is stored for over a month, I ck ones a week & when it gets under 12.5v It gets plugged in for 24hrs.

I would....leave it plugged in 'til fully charged, un-plug and ck once a week.
Repeat as needed.

Bob

[Daquenzer]

Just disconnect the battery. Then charge battery once a month? Just wondering.

[McDave]

If you have power available all the time in the trailer anyway, why not buy a trickle charger that is designed for long-term use and just leave it plugged in? Trickle chargers are not that expensive, because they don't require any heavy-duty components. They charge with small amounts of power over a long time, the same as your solar would if it were getting any sun. When I used to be into motorcycle touring, I would leave a trickle charger connected to my battery over the winter months. I knew that whenever I had the desire to take off on the motorcycle, I would leave with a full charge on my battery.

[m.hony]

Would a portable solar panel in the open end of the shed help?

[nipperguy]

After installing a Progressive Dynamics PD 4655 multi-stage converter, we keep our 2017FB plugged in continuously. Prior to the 2017, we had a '73 with a PD multi-stage converter that was kept plugged in for years. Never any damage to converter and batteries lasted many years. If you have wet batteries, just remember to check them monthly and make sure they are sufficiently watered.

[BoatNutG2]

Am I missing something?

What is the point of the “store” setting if the propane detector is still operational and runs the battery down? Shouldn’t the propane be turned off when the AS is in storage? Is the detector still needed?

On my boat I have a remote solinoid to shut off the propane when there is no 12v. Why not do the same on the AS: connect a remote gas solinoid and the detector to the “use” circuit and disconnect the detector from the “store” circuit?

Or is the detector there to detect something besides propane?

[quietguy]

Originally Posted by Ridget

We have a 2017 Airstream Tommy Bahama. We store in a 3 sided bay open on one end. There is not enough light to get any benefit from solar. The C02 detector is wired directly to the battery creating a slow trickle. The dealer said since we store on shore power, it’s OK to store in USE MODE versus STORE MODE to maintain the battery (4 stage charging).
Some commentary on another forum said you will damage the converter doing that. Any expert opinions to share? Thanks.

Assuming you have the factory installed solar, the AGM batteries and multistage converter/charger that come with that option will be fine plugged in all winter as the dealer advised.

BTW, the smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors run off of a 9v battery inside each (NOT wired to house batteries)! Please remove these batteries and replace with fresh ones in the Spring! We don't want to lose any forum members via misinformation!!!

Only the propane leak detector is hard wired to the trailer batteries.

[quietguy]

Originally Posted by BoatNutG2

Am I missing something?

What is the point of the “store” setting if the propane detector is still operational and runs the battery down?

Liability laws.

[james.mileur]

Originally Posted by Ridget

We have a 2017 Airstream Tommy Bahama. We store in a 3 sided bay open on one end. There is not enough light to get any benefit from solar. The C02 detector is wired directly to the battery creating a slow trickle. The dealer said since we store on shore power, it’s OK to store in USE MODE versus STORE MODE to maintain the battery (4 stage charging).
Some commentary on another forum said you will damage the converter doing that. Any expert opinions to share? Thanks.

I store in a public covered unit, batteries with installed disconnects open, on a temp compensated trickle charger. Ran the charger cord out the hole in the floor under the couch to keep the charger out of the weather. The trailer is powered from 12ga extension cord run through a locked window to a man- killer 120v jumper plugged into an outlet inside, that happens to power up the converter and several other outlets to keep the rodent and pest zappers on, and allows easy lights on when we visit and keeps the wife confident the mice won't move in.

[CDONA]

All one needs to do is move the power lead for the propane sniffer to the other side of the use/store solenoid. This will kill the phantom power loss, and the alarm that no one will hear when parked in storage.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by CDONA

All one needs to do is move the power lead for the propane sniffer to the other side of the use/store solenoid. This will kill the phantom power loss, and the alarm that no one will hear when parked in storage.

It might be nice to have it operational if the interior filled with gas while in storage.

I also agree with McDave. I leave mine on a small charger while in storage.

[CDONA]

Yes, it is a choice.
If parked in your yard you may hear the alarm, if it goes off.
Parked at a remote storage yard, no 120 power to run battery tender, who will hear it then?
If you turn off your propane tanks at the valves, there won't be anyway to pool propane inside.
I'm just pointing out an easier way to switch the power to the sniffer, without extra parts.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by CDONA

All one needs to do is move the power lead for the propane sniffer to the other side of the use/store solenoid. This will kill the phantom power loss, and the alarm that no one will hear when parked in storage.

Hi

The propane detector is not the only "parasitic load" on the trailer. There are several others lurking here and there. Disconnecting the battery is easier than pulling all of them off here and there.

===

One dirt cheap approach is to simply get a programmable timer. Let it bring up the shore power once a week for an hour or two. Is it cheaper than a trickle charger? Who knows. Is it better for the batteries? that depends ....

Bob

[Ridget]

Some really good ideas here. I failed to mention I run a Vornado space heater in the rig. The timer idea is good.

[james.mileur]

Originally Posted by Ridget

Some really good ideas here. I failed to mention I run a Vornado space heater in the rig. The timer idea is good.

In storage?

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by james.mileur

In storage?

Hi

If the shore power is free .... why not run a heater? Running a "throw away" electric probably makes more sense than some of the alternatives.

The obvious issue would be the risk of fire. I'd be a bit careful about that part. Maybe not run the cheapest of the cheap. Vornado certainly isn't a junk brand.

Bob

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by quietguy

Liability laws.

?

If no ones in the trailer.....we don't leave the gas on during non-use>>>do we?

Bob

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

?

If no ones in the trailer.....we don't leave the gas on during non-use>>>do we?

Bob

Hi

I *never* fire up the fridge on propane the night before a trip

Bob

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

I *never* fire up the fridge on propane the night before a trip

Bob

We don't either...it's on *AC*, plus>>>everything we put in the fridge is already cold.
No need for us to ever have the gas on when on the 'pad'.

The 'sniffer' is only on when using the AS.

Bob