Leave Shore Power Connected 24/7

[Sebtown]

I don't have 30amp service where I park my AI but I do have power. I purchased a C-tek multi stage charger and keep plugged in to a wet cell 24/7 when not traveling. This is a reasonable solution as I have total and continual use of my DC system at home . I've recently been experimenting with a 100w solar suitcase which appears to do an adequate job and stores reasonably well beneath the couch.

[Boxster1971]

If you are just charging batteries a 15/20 Amp adapter for your power cord will allow you to plug into a standard 15/20 Amp receptacle. I can run everything except AC with this adapter.


- - Mike
2013 AS Interstate on 2012 MB Sprinter

[Sebtown]

I considered using my adapter and factory shore cord but I prefer the c-tek charging profiles including the programmable reconditioning mode to desulfate the wet cell on occasion.

[David M]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

If you are just charging batteries a 15/20 Amp adapter for your power cord will allow you to plug into a standard 15/20 Amp receptacle. I can run everything except AC with this adapter.


- - Mike
2013 AS Interstate on 2012 MB Sprinter

Hey Mike,
I don't understand. I can run my AC using a 20 amp adapter. I also have a 2013 AI on a 2012 chassis. Am I missing something?
David

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by David M

Hey Mike,
I don't understand. I can run my AC using a 20 amp adapter. I also have a 2013 AI on a 2012 chassis. Am I missing something?
David

I think I understand. You can run your AC. Or you can run everything else. But you can't run your AC with everything else.

[David M]

Thanks Protagonist, that makes sense.
David

[Bikerbill]

Using a home 20 amp outlet will work for your AC but not the m-wave at the same time. Think of it like this. A normal window AC in your home plugs into a wall outlet but you wouldn't plug in your m-wave to the same outlet in your house and use them at the same time. If you did, pop the circuit breaker. Same thing applies to your 20 amp outlet for your AI. Now plug it into a 30 amp outlet, that's a different story but most people don't have a 30 amp outlet at their home.

Your 3 biggest amperage draws are the AC, the m-wave, the water heater on electric and your Magnum inverter/charge may draw 7 amps on charge mode. So plan accordingly how to use your 20 amps when plugged into your home outlet.

[UKDUDE]

Actually the same considerations apply when you run the generator: you have just 20 amps available.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I think I understand. You can run your AC. Or you can run everything else. But you can't run your AC with everything else.

You have it right Protagonist. You can run AC if you have a full 20 Amps, but the adapter also let's you plug into 15 Amp outlets and I've found that isn't enough for AC with battery charging.


- - Mike
2013 AS Interstate on 2012 MB Sprinter

[MILATV]

"leave the light on for you".

I put in a 30 amp drop to plug into and keep the rig plugged in (2013.5).

After three weeks I went out to prep for a road trip and everything was dead! Just enough power to see 4.5v on house batteries! OUCH.

50amp breaker in house had tripped (RV 30 + Boat lift on the circuit)

From now on leaving the patio light on as a "power indicator"

(Pretty sure batteries are toast, been here before - but only down to 8 amps. 1 yr old and < 24 hrs if TV only) 4+ hrs from AS dealer so going to pull batteries and have tested soon).


Mike via Mobile

[lewster]

Originally Posted by UKDUDE

This question is best answered by our resident electrical expert - Lewster - but I'll give it a go:

The Magnum has an automatic 4-stage charger process (Bulk, Absorb, Float,
and Full Charge). It continually monitors the battery without overcharging, and when the voltage drops below a certain level, will automatically go into float mode to provide a trickle charge.
The voltage levels at which it moves between one stage and another are dependent on temperature to ensure no under and over charging. Without the temperature sensor it uses a default setting.

I cannot answer for the Tripp Lite but believe it has a lower number of stages for charging and may not even have temperature sensor capabilities.

Nice work UKDUDE!!!!! I guess I can retire now!!!!

Actually, I had a long conversation with the folks at Magnum Energy last time I was at the factory (about a month ago) and one of the topics that was discussed was the lack of temperature compensation in Airstreams. Seems that they requested that ALL of the MMS-1012 inverter/chargers that they ordered had the temp sensor DELETED!!! (they actually looked up the sales orders!)

From what Magnum told me, they are now shipping the units WITH the temp sensor in the box Now, one would think that if Airstream is getting the temp sensors now (and actually PAYING for them), that they would install them......right?

They are supposed to be on the 2015 Interstates, so I would think that RON_CA indeed DOES have temperature compensation with his new '15 AI. Regardless, the Magnum will use it's 4-stage charging at the proper voltage that his Lifeline GPL-24T AGM batteries (factory issue) desire, but the default voltage is at 77ºF (25ºC). The only possible issue would be too high a float voltage if the temps get much above 77ºF, but in any event, the Lifelines can tolerate a float voltage up top 13.4VDC at 77ºF and the inverter's charging section (set in the AGM 1 pre-program mode, specifically for Lifeline AGMs) will operate at 14.2 VDC bulk and absorption and 13.2 VDC for float, so there is 0.2VDC wiggle room.

In plain English, go ahead and leave it plugged in all the time! And don't mess with timers.......NOT NECESSARY!!! Your batteries should be full and happy when you next use the coach. OH, and one other thing, I would DEFINITELY add a plug-in surge protector like a TRC 30 amp unit on your shore cord.......just as extra added insurance!

And BTW, if any of you that have the Magnum inverter/chargers in an older AI coach and would like to add the temperature sensor (very simple to do), I have a nice stock of these at a great price! PM me for details.

[Ron_CA]

Thanks Lew, appreciate the explanation. I have a portable 30a progressive that I will keep plugged in and hope I don't forget it when I take off.

[MILATV]

Uploading pics. - here is where my AI is "always plugged in". Home sewer clean out is on the other side of the house or it would be an ideal pad




Mike via Mobile

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by MILATV

Uploading pics. - here is where my AI is "always plugged in". Home sewer clean out is on the other side of the house or it would be an ideal pad

Attachment 220428Attachment 220429Attachment 220430Attachment 220431Attachment 220432


Mike via Mobile

Nice. But being a safety geek, I'd have installed a railing around the platform, at least on the back end where you've got the steepest drop-off. Not only to keep from falling and breaking your neck, but also as a visual cue that's easier to see in the mirrors and rearview camera.

[MILATV]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Nice. But being a safety geek, I'd have installed a railing around the platform, at least on the back end where you've got the steepest drop-off. Not only to keep from falling and breaking your neck, but also as a visual cue that's easier to see in the mirrors and rearview camera.

Yea, think about that. Problem is the gates swing in, and at $400/foot (Due to footings and retaining wall height (gets taller as I go longer) I actually have to back in to where the rear hangs over a foot or so to get the gates closed, then pull forward.

Couldn't have gates open out due to slope in front of fence and wanted a very level pad so called for compromise.

I don't access the van much here, and never load it here (pull around to front door of house) so not allot of risk of falling. Just when I connect shore power.

Besides it's only 6' and being an old Green Beret I'd hope my body would naturally do a PLF (parachute landing fall) if I went over. LOL




Mike via Mobile

[Boxster1971]

Nice spot to park your rig!


- - Mike
2013 AS Interstate on 2012 MB Sprinter

[MILATV]

Thanks Boxter, I have a big warehouse at the motorcycle shop, but figured i'd use the van allot less if I had to go get it somewhere to use it so ended up pouring a pad. Sometimes we take the van shopping out of town, I know I wouldn't do that if I had to open the warehouse.

Could have built a garage for the cost of the pad if I lived on level ground, but then I wouldn't have the view out back.

I want to get a car port over it to protect against snow and falling leaves this year. It sat outside all last winter except for the two week trip to west coast, and a week in Florida.

10" of snow on the roof when I pulled out for one trip! Gotta treat it better than that.

Here's from the road, overnight parking avail if you find yourself in Decatur, IL




Mike via Mobile

[73shark]

Looks really nice. What lake on you on?

[Boxster1971]

We park ours in alley driveway behind our townhouse. HOA has exception in truck/RV restrictions for vans used to carry passengers, that was a big part of decision to get an Interstate rather than SOB b-van.


- - Mike
2013 AS Interstate on 2012 MB Sprinter

[MILATV]

On Lake Decatur (IL) ..... Upwind from ADM soybean processing ! (Anyone having been through Decatur knows the penalty of being downwind).


Mike via Mobile