First time plugging in

[Astasiewsk]

We just picked up our 2021 Flying cloud FBT last week. It had been outside at the dealer for about a month. It does have solar but we live in Wisconsin so I’m sure the solar panels are not super effective right now. We are lucky enough to have an inside storage spot with normal home power. The battery voltage was at 12.5 when we picked it up. Today I went in and plugged in the airstream using the adapter that came with the rig. I put it into the “store” mode. I’m planning on unplugging it tomorrow morning. It will have been plugged in for about 16 hours. We will not be using her until about the middle of April or early May if the weather cooperates. My question is whether this is a good way to fully charge the batteries and keep them healthy for the next month or two. It’s in the 40’s during the day right now and the 20’s at night. All advice is graciously accepted!

[Halford1]

Welcome and congrats to your purchase of an Airstream FC. what kind of batteries do you have? it does make difference to know which kind of batteries you have.

[DKB_SATX]

For a '21, you should have a good enough converter-charger that you can leave the trailer plugged in and it'll "float" when the batteries are charged. If you're concerned about power consumption, just be sure you turn off the fridge. In "Store" mode you may not be charging the batteries. Plugged in in "Use" mode you're definitely charging them. If you have a multimeter, use that to measure the battery voltage rather than the meter on the wall so you have an accurate picture of both the battery voltage AND what's going on at the batteries in different store/use scenarios.

[AnnaBelle33]

I have a 2021 Classic 33 with a 50amp circuit at my storage. I leave mine plugged in 24/7 and it keeps the batteries at 13.2v. My Classic has a multi-stage charger that has a float mode. Once the batteries are fully charged the charger will just maintain them.

I’m thinking you have that too.

[aftermath]

I agree with what was said above. If you put it in store mode, it will not charge your batteries. Plug it in and watch. Should not be a problem.

[Astasiewsk]

The batteries are the stock AGM batteries supplied with new airstreams with solar.

[Astasiewsk]

I wasn’t sure whether the batteries would charge while in the store mode do I dug into my manual. Sure enough it was there. Quote. “When the trailer is plugged into an external ac power source the 12-volt distribution panel will receive power from the converter and the batteries will be charged through the converter charging system regardless of if the battery switch is in the on/off position.” End quote. Am I reading this correctly?

[Bcc75]

Yes you are reading correctly. I have a ‘21 and in store mode the batteries will charge. In store mode, plugged into shore power, I am reading 13.2 across the battery terminals. When I unplug it drops to 12.8-12.9. While plugged in, the 13.2 is maintained.

[GetawA-S]

I agree with the wisdom of keeping it on shore power. There’s no sense in chancing the batteries to phantom drains like the propane sensor. For an easier way to check the battery voltage directly, insert your multimeter probes into the two sides of the Zamp connector on the A frame. (I have a waste tote lashed on top of the battery compartment - this saves me the trouble of moving it.)

[s1000pre]

I use this, it works well...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07W4...b_b_asin_title

[kpfate]

We've been using a trickle charger on our batteries since our AS is being stored in our new place, located 320 miles away. We usually use shore power to keep the batteries charged but with not being onsite full time, we felt it is safer using the trickle charger. Things have been working fine with this route.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by Astasiewsk

I wasn’t sure whether the batteries would charge while in the store mode do I dug into my manual. Sure enough it was there. Quote. “When the trailer is plugged into an external ac power source the 12-volt distribution panel will receive power from the converter and the batteries will be charged through the converter charging system regardless of if the battery switch is in the on/off position.” End quote. Am I reading this correctly?

You are reading that correct.

However Airstream has switched back and forth on whether or not the batteries will charge in store mode many times over the past 20 years, some times in the same year and same model. This makes it hard to trust that statement especially for people with different year Airstreams.

[Mikebrady62]

We also store ours inside. I use a timer at the electrical outlet, so it's only charging 4 hours a day. I have AGM batteries and leave it in USE mode with the refrigerator and furnace off.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/myTouchSmar...mer/1001267044

[guskmg]

If you are going to use a trickle charger for extended periods of time, buy a model with an equalizer mode. That will eliminate any sulfating. I have used them to completely rejuvenate a bad AGM battery that did not have any shorted cells, just in depleted condition. The same trickle charger will also indicate a shorted cell if you have one in that condition.
guskmg