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Rich W · 11-20-2016, 06:35 AM

When you plug into shore power, the AS will have 120 VAC at the plugs. If you set the switch to Store, no charge will be applied to the batteries.

If you have a trickle charger on them, it will continue to charge, but trickle chargers will continue to provide a charge, albeit low, and can cook them. I've lost several batteries like that. Get a good multi-stage charger if you want to charge them externally, one that will cut off after they batteries are fully charged. I believe "Battery Tender" is the one most recommended here in the forum.

centennialman · 11-20-2016, 06:36 AM

Thanks for the info Bob. I probably will go ahead and disconnect the trickle charger when I am going to stay in the Airstream overnight.

Good to see that you have been out camping!

Rich W · 11-20-2016, 11:50 AM

I updated the Use / Store table, adding a column for 110 VAC. I also added a brief explanation of converter and inverter. New PDF is attached

centennialman · 11-21-2016, 05:07 AM

Thanks Rich....the tender I have is multi stage and turns off when the batteries are charged so I am good in that department. When it gets bitterly cold (not sure if this will be one of those winters) I like to leave a small electric heater on in the Airstream and sometimes will go out there and watch a movie and enjoy the snowfall. Sometimes I let the heater run for several days in a row until the weather warms up.

I am hoping that if I leave the small heater on for a few days with the battery store switch in the off position, I will still have power from shore power and not be charging the batteries with anything except the tender and, therefore, not be concerned with overcharging.

thiel · 11-21-2016, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richw46

When you plug into shore power, the AS will have 120 VAC at the plugs. If you set the switch to Store, no charge will be applied to the batteries.

I think this is the great debate remaining for me. I have heard that if plugged into TV or into shore power, batteries will charge regardless of switch position.

dznf0g · 11-21-2016, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thiel

I think this is the great debate remaining for me. I have heard that if plugged into TV or into shore power, batteries will charge regardless of switch position.

This depends on the year and model. When my store switch is in store, charging of batteries still occurs both from the converter and self installed solar. My switch is in between the converter and the 12 volt distribution panel.

Rich W · 11-21-2016, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thiel

I think this is the great debate remaining for me. I have heard that if plugged into TV or into shore power, batteries will charge regardless of switch position.

Batteries will be charged from the TV during travel. I don't believe the Use / Store manages that circuit. Dznf0g / Rich says his converter will charge his batteries regardless of the position. Mine is not set up that way. I have factory solar which has a panel in the kitchen. When I'm on SP and in Store, no charging except solar. I switch to Use and the voltmeter on the solar monitor jumps to 13.8 volts.

To be sure on yours, put a multimeter on a DC connection in your AS and toggle between Use and Store, see if there is any difference in the reading.

Rich W · 11-21-2016, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznf0g

This depends on the year and model. When my store switch is in store, charging of batteries still occurs both from the converter and self installed solar. My switch is in between the converter and the 12 volt distribution panel.

Things that make you go hmmmm.....

I have just the one AS experience, but from what I've read here in the forum, going to Store takes the batteries out of the circuit for charging. On mine it definitely does, no charging going on. YMMV applies here

dznf0g · 11-21-2016, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richw46

Things that make you go hmmmm.....

I have just the one AS experience, but from what I've read here in the forum, going to Store takes the batteries out of the circuit for charging. On mine it definitely does, no charging going on. YMMV applies here

Not on the mid 2000s Classics with the electrical center under the couch. All the TV wiring, the tongue jack, the brake actuator, the converter output and my self installed solar go directly to a positive buss, as well as the batteries. From the Buss, there is a heavy (6 or 8 gauge) wire which goes to the manual store switch. That wire continues to the 12 Volt circuit breaker panel for all the 12 Volt systems except as noted prior. I moved my propane detector to the fuse panel, so it would be off in store.