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Thread: Battery Charging Question.
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07-13-2021, 09:10 AM #1
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Battery Charging Question.
Hello,
After about 2 weeks of sitting unplugged, our new 2800BH's battery was drained to nothing.
The master disconnect was left in the "on" position, so I figured misc electronics drained it down.
My question is: Will the battery stay charged, if plugged in, with the master switch in the "off" position or does it need to be in the "on" position to maintain a charge?
I'm trying to determine if I'm better off leaving switch "on" and using the RV's charging system or shutting "off" switch and using a Battery Tender directly to the battery. I would prefer to leave the systems off when not in use but wondering what others are doing.
Any experiences or insights would be appreciated.
Thanks for your time.
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07-13-2021, 09:35 AM #2
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There have been many write ups about the master switch not turning everything off. Also many write ups about how draining a battery to zero damages them and they will no longer retain a charge properly and have to be replaced.
In my RV when I turn the master switch off it the converter does not charge the battery.
I am continually hooked up and on shore power so my converter charges constantly. I have to monitor the water level in my batteries as this tend to boil the water off. It's slow, so I end up adding about a 1/2 cup of distilled water a year.
Battery switch off battery tender on may be enough charge to overide the parasitic drain, I have not read about anyone who does this.
Absolute best way to store is to disconnect the battery terminals, then attach a new smart trickle charger to the battery. Stops all parasitic drain, keeps the battery at optimum charge without over charging/boiling the battery.Dallas
2017 Momentum 376TH, 2019 Ford F450, Dual Rear Wheel, 4x4, diesel.
2015 Harley-Davidson Street, XG750
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07-13-2021, 09:48 AM #3
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Ditto on what @D2Reid said.
When I park our trailer at storage for anything longer than a week I remove the battery and bring it home. I connect a Battery Tender Junior 12v charger/maintainer to the battery to keep it topped off.
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende...69784302&psc=1Mike & Lisa
Central Florida
2021 Imagine 2970RL
1996 Chevy K3500 Crew SRW 7.4L Gas
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07-13-2021, 12:53 PM #4
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When I am going out every couple of weeks, I avoid disconnecting my battery by using a true battery disconnect switch; something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Water...s%2C201&sr=8-4
Simple to install and truly disconnects all power. For longer periods of inactivity, then remove the battery and use a tender as mentioned above.2017 Ford F350 Platinum 6.7L PowerStroke DRW
2017 Solitude 379FLS
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07-13-2021, 08:22 PM #5
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My experience is that "parasitic drain" is the boogie man of this forum. The drain on my Momentum with the disconnect off is so small that I don't even think about it until winter storage.
But others have killed their batteries in a week with the disconnect off, so YMMV.
As best as I can tell unless you install an ammeter, there's no way of telling how much parasitic drain you have.signature
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07-14-2021, 01:09 PM #6
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Thanks everyone!
My 397, finally
Today, 05:32 AM in General Discussion