Leave Shore Power Connected 24/7

[Ron_CA]

Since taking delivery in late May I have kept my Interstate in my driveway when not on a road trip.

I will be starting to store it in my garage on another property I own. I have a 30 amp RV outlet and am wondering if I can leave it plugged in all day, every day?
The solar panel does great keeping things charged but since I won't be in the sun anymore?

RV dealer said yes at walk thru and my airstream manual says no, but I realize a lot of info in the manuals is not updated every year and some may be wrong.

Can I call Magnum and see what they say, or will the answer be depending on the entire system install.

What is the consensus here?

[Teamaron]

I have mine plugged in 24/7 in my warehouse and called airstream to confirm and they said yes it's fine as it has an auto shutoff when charge and will trickle charge when low.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[wahoonc]

I have several things that I keep plugged in even when not in use, a couple of them being RV's. I do have a battery disconnect on mine. But if the converter/charger is working properly it shouldn't matter.

Aaron

[cory_can]

Can you identify your charge converter by brand/model?

What about getting separate panels mounted on your garage roof that your quick connect when you park/store?

[msmcv51]

I keep mine plugged in all the time when home, but I do leave something small on like the radio or a night light so that there is a small drain on the batteries all the time.

[Rsknutson]

Soon after we bought our 2014 AI I had a 30 amp circuit installed and have kept it connected 24/7 when parked in the driveway. Given today's advances in electronics I would have been very surprised but even more disappointed, had it not have the auto shut off feature. By The Way Ron_CA, nice garage!


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[acstokes]

The key to whether you can leave it plugged into shore power full time is whether you have a 3 stage charger or not. If you have a single stage converter/charger such as the Parallax that AS puts in their trailers then you should alternately charge the batteries fully and then disconnect them every few days to a week. This is because it charges at a constant 13.6-13.8 volts and will "cook" your batteries over time. A 3 stage charger will maintain the batteries on a "float" charge of about 13.2 volts.

[Ron_CA]

Originally Posted by Teamaron

I have mine plugged in 24/7 in my warehouse and called airstream to confirm and they said yes it's fine as it has an auto shutoff when charge and will trickle charge when low.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Thanks Aron. I may call them tomorrow just to see if we get the same answer

Not sure what Converter / Charger I have. The controller is a Magnum ME-MR.

Thanks everbody for your thoughts.

[UKDUDE]

There have been numerous threads on how to efficiently manage batteries in the Interstate, and whether or not to leave it plugged into shore power indefinitely.
In my opinion the confusion is down to Airstream not updating the manual when they upgraded the charger/inverter to a Magnum.
The Magnum is a smart (multi stage) charger that efficiently maintains the batteries indefinitely. The only problem for Interstates is that Airstream never installed a temperature sensor since the Magnum needs to know the prevailing temperature to optimize charging.

[Ron_CA]

I talked to Jim @ Airstream and he said yes, it is ok to leave plugged in. He even acknowledged that the manual states otherwise.

[aa9zz]

Originally Posted by UKDUDE

The only problem for Interstates is that Airstream never installed a temperature sensor since the Magnum needs to know the prevailing temperature to optimize charging.

What, then, makes the Magnum different from the Tripp Lite if neither have a working temperature sensor as installed in the Airstream?

[UKDUDE]

Originally Posted by aa9zz

What, then, makes the Magnum different from the Tripp Lite if neither have a working temperature sensor as installed in the Airstream?

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.

[ben322]

Those with the Tripplite should be very careful. Even with the dip switches in the correct positions, it boiled a set of batteries when left plugged in which is another reason I upgraded to the Magnum.

[kscherzi]

You could always plug into a cheap timer and set it to charge one hour a day. If it's only about batteries current should be real low.

[Ron_CA]

Originally Posted by kscherzi

You could always plug into a cheap timer and set it to charge one hour a day. If it's only about batteries current should be real low.

I am actually leaning in this direction.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by UKDUDE

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.

I believe the TrippLite is three-stage without temperature compensation.

[UKDUDE]

Originally Posted by Ron_CA

I am actually leaning in this direction.

Another relatively cheap and quick alternative is to get a smart battery charger that has the same features as a Magnum. I bought a CTEK Multi US 7002 in error before realizing the Magnum could be left plugged into shore power. And it has a temperature sensor.

[DaveFL]

Confidence in the grid should be part of the equation, here in FL the lightning capitol of the US it is better to pull the plug. Power surges are not unusual either, someone suggested a timer but if it is long term parking, a battery minder on the timer would be a better option, plugged in it will keep the batteries charged and maintained.

[gmillerok1]

The 2015 models have the Magnum Inverter/charger.

The temperature sensor monitors the temperature to better tune the amount of voltage based on the temperature. But the main difference between the two is the Magnum won't overcharge the batteries-the Tripplite definitely will.

The Magnum is a "smart" charger. It shuts off all current when the batteries and fully charged, and then turns on when they are less than fully charged.

Leave it plugged in if you have a Magnum. If you have a Triplitte, don't. Rather, turn it on until a full charge is reached, and then unplug it.

You can add a battery temperature sensor for about 30 bucks. You can also upgrade to a better monitor and battery monitor kit. It's fun to click on the LPG valve for instance, and immediately see that you just upped the load by .6 of an amp. Or see just how ineffective the stock solar panel really is.

Finally, if you have the Tripplite, consider upgrading to the Magnum. It's worth every cent.

Originally Posted by aa9zz

What, then, makes the Magnum different from the Tripp Lite if neither have a working temperature sensor as installed in the Airstream?

[Rapa Nui]

We have some wild winter weather here in the Northwest including power outages and electrical spikes.

We kept our Airstream trailer connected 24/7/365 and plan to do the same with our new AI.

We leave a small table-top dehumidifier and heater (on low) to draw on the battery just a bit. In 9 years, we've never had a battery problem with the trailer. Don't expect one with the AI.