Battery/Shore Power

[AirHog]

Battery.

Our unit is stored indoor for the winter (unheated large garage/barn). I took the batteries out and have them hooked to a battery tender. My friend advised me that I should not hook up up to shore power if there is no batteries in the unit. It may damage the electrical system in the unit. Is there any truth to the statement ? I do like to check the trailer every two weeks or so and do need the lights or turn the heaters etc.

Any opinion/advise will be helpful.

Best,

Titu

[lewster]

Depends.....................on the type of converter that you have. I know for a fact that the IOTAs and Progressive Dynamics do not need a battery to operate the trailer's 12VDC system. If you have the OEM converter..........maybe not.

[0557]

I've had an OEM univolt on shore power for almost a year and no problems. Just be sure the terminals don't touch. When my batteries cooked, I took them out of circuit.
I'll make investment in AGM's when I decide to travel again.

[dwightdi]

Not having the batteries in the circuit will cause the output voltage of the converter to have more ac voltage noise on it. Some electronic devices might not work properly with this poor a power input, but likely would not be damaged. TV's and radios would have static. The batteries act like giant capacitors and soak up the irregularities.

[lewster]

That is true of the older style converters, but modern electronic switch mode converters do not exhibit AC or DC 'ripple effect' problems. IOTA specifies that their units can be operated without batteries, and I have installed several in units where the battery was bad and not replaced. These units are tied to concrete pads and do not move, so the presence of a battery is not required. No problems have been noticed with any of their DC components for several years.

OTOH, any trailer that is taken on the road MUST have a battery installed to operate the break-a-way safety switch in the trailer's braking system.

[AirHog]

Ours is a 2005 34 Classic with OEM everything. So will it harm anything with no batteries on board, if I occasionally plug in AC ? Thanks.

[Jammer]

Lewster is correct. The converter used in the 2005 Classic does not require a battery to be present to work properly.

[AirHog]

Many thanks to all.

Titu