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03-08-2021, 02:45 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2021 25' Flying Cloud
Waterford
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 15
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First time plugging in
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!
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03-08-2021, 03:31 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2019 19' Flying Cloud
Canyon Country
, California
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 909
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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.
__________________
2014 Ford Explorer XLT with factory installed Tow Package.
2019 Flying Cloud 19CBB
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03-08-2021, 03:46 PM
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#3
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Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,535
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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.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
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03-08-2021, 04:00 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
2021 33FB Classic
City
, West Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 372
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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.
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03-08-2021, 04:53 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Spokane
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,859
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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.
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03-08-2021, 05:07 PM
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#6
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1 Rivet Member
2021 25' Flying Cloud
Waterford
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 15
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The batteries are the stock AGM batteries supplied with new airstreams with solar.
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03-08-2021, 05:29 PM
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#7
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1 Rivet Member
2021 25' Flying Cloud
Waterford
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 15
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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?
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03-08-2021, 05:54 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2023 27' Globetrotter
Winder
, Georgia
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 517
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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.
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03-08-2021, 07:01 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2020 23' Flying Cloud
2019 22' Sport
Sebastian
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,235
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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.)
__________________
-Don
(That man in that tiny can)
(Same man, Bigger can)
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03-08-2021, 07:47 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2021 30' Flying Cloud
2020 25' International
minneapolis
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,468
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03-09-2021, 09:05 AM
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#11
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Trilla the Traveling Tube
2018 22' Sport
Dayton
, Wyoming
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 303
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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.
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03-09-2021, 12:13 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1988 32' Excella
Robbinsville
, New Jersey
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,165
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Quote:
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?
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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.
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03-10-2021, 04:17 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2019 27' International
Rogers
, Arkansas
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 751
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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
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03-10-2021, 04:10 PM
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#14
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:SPACE A" S/O 11 Air19745
2006 34' Classic S/O
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,766
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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
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