can I disconnect batteries when on 110?

[steve sands]

Hey there folks. I have a 1983 34' excella which is in good shape, but is not towed much. It is left at the lake on 110 v power. Do I need the batteries to complete the electrical circuit or can I remove them so as to keep them from constantly charging unnecessarily? Basically I use the trailer as a stationary cabin and would like to take the old batteries out and wonder if that will effect being able to use it while on 110 v hook up. Thanks.

[Melody Ranch]

It will work OK if your converter is working. 110 come in and powers the converter which "makes" your 12v electricity. That electricity goes to a fuse pane and then to the system. Your battery "made" 12v electricity goes to that same fuse panel and joins the 12v system. By the way a new generation (since your 1984 was made) has a Charge Wizzard type floating charge which will take care of your batteries if you leave them in place.

[dkottum]

The converter will supply your 12 vdc without the batteries (if it's working). You don't need them for your cabin but might be handy in case a storm knocks out power sometime. Nonetheless, you should not leave the batteries on constant charge from the Airstream converter. It is designed for temporary charging and will ruin the batteries in the long run.

[Wingeezer]

I put quick disconnects on my batteries and whenever I am on 110v at an RV park for more than a couple of days I regularly do disconnect my batteries.

I do this because I don't think that the OEM charger built into the converter in our trailer is all that "smart" and I have some concern that it might keep too high a voltage on the batteries and possibly shorten their life.

I've never had any problem doing this - just have to remember to reconnect the batteries before we leave the RV park!


Brian.

[HowieE]

If you do not have a convertor with a good management system like the Progressive Wizard it would be a good idea to disconnect the batteries while away. Batteries can boil if just left on a convertor. Had that happen with a cheap convertor. Acid condensate all over the front of the trailer.

Now that said I would install a switch on the supply side of the convertor that allows you to disconnect the convertor while away. However i would connect the batteries while you are using the trailer. The batteries act as a power reserve, filter, and regulator to the 12 volt system. Just running on the convertor may result in problems of high voltage, or lack of power if everything is on at once.

[dkottum]

Okay, you might check your owners manual. Here's what mine says

CONVERTER OPERATION
The MagneTec 7300 series electronic power converter is designed to supply the nominal 12-volt filtered D.C. power for all 12 volt operated devices encountered in RV service. Although the converter is an excellent battery charger, the converter does not require a battery to be connected to it for proper operation.

[RickDavis]

Rather than disconnect the batteries you might consider a switch to turn the converter off when not needed. Much simpler to flip a switch.
I charge my batteries on an "as needed" basis, metered with a trimetric 2020. I never float the batteries off the converter. My batteries are showing signs of diminished capacity but they will be 11 years old in June