Keeping coach plugged into shore power 24x7

Forum for both AC and DC electrical components. From engine alternator to dashboard, inverter to batteries, and everything electrical in-between.
chuckster
Posts: 286
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2020 4:53 pm

Keeping coach plugged into shore power 24x7

Post by chuckster »

Hi Folks!

I keep my ‘01 Zanzibar plugged into the garage 50A circuit all the time when not in use and have inverter turned off at the inside console. I was wondering if this will have any negative effects such as drying out the batteries or causing them to wear out faster. Anything I should be aware of that would be negative about that?

Happy New Year!
Chuck & Mitzi
'01 Safari Zanzibar 3646 (side entry)
Cat 3126B / Allison MD3060
Magnum M-Series "Blue Max" chassis
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland toad
wolfe10
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 4:12 pm

Re: Keeping coach plugged into shore power 24x7

Post by wolfe10 »

Chuck,

If this is a properly programmed inverter/charger, you can leave it plugged in full time.

And, agree with leaving the inverter function off in case power is lost the inverter will not drain the batteries.
Brett and Dianne Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'. Ex 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex 1993 Foretravel U240
Moderator, FMCA Forums 2009-2020
Chairman, FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011- 2020
Moderator, http://www.dieselrvclub.org/ (FMCA chapter) 2002-
stuplich@ymail.com
Posts: 1146
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:51 am

Re: Keeping coach plugged into shore power 24x7

Post by stuplich@ymail.com »

chuckster wrote: Thu Dec 31, 2020 9:33 am Hi Folks!

I keep my ‘01 Zanzibar plugged into the garage 50A circuit all the time when not in use and have inverter turned off at the inside console. I was wondering if this will have any negative effects such as drying out the batteries or causing them to wear out faster. Anything I should be aware of that would be negative about that?

Happy New Year!
chuckster
With the inverter/charger properly programed my now 24 year old coach has always been plugged in 24/7, (except when on the road or when camping without hookups)...It's currently 6 years on the 3rd set of batteries, (both house and chassis).
However the 4 12V house batteries always need topping off every 2-3 months.
Mel
'96 Sahara 3530, mine since '01
250 hp 3126 Cat, MD3060 Allison
chuckster
Posts: 286
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2020 4:53 pm

Re: Keeping coach plugged into shore power 24x7

Post by chuckster »

Thanks for the replies. I would assume that my inverter was programmed properly when it was installed? I have only had the coach since August 2020.
Chuck & Mitzi
'01 Safari Zanzibar 3646 (side entry)
Cat 3126B / Allison MD3060
Magnum M-Series "Blue Max" chassis
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland toad
chuckster
Posts: 286
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2020 4:53 pm

Re: Keeping coach plugged into shore power 24x7

Post by chuckster »

stuplich@ymail.com wrote: Thu Dec 31, 2020 11:34 am
chuckster wrote: Thu Dec 31, 2020 9:33 am Hi Folks!

I keep my ‘01 Zanzibar plugged into the garage 50A circuit all the time when not in use and have inverter turned off at the inside console. I was wondering if this will have any negative effects such as drying out the batteries or causing them to wear out faster. Anything I should be aware of that would be negative about that?

Happy New Year!
chuckster
With the inverter/charger properly programed my now 24 year old coach has always been plugged in 24/7, (except when on the road or when camping without hookups)...It's currently 6 years on the 3rd set of batteries, (both house and chassis).
However the 4 12V house batteries always need topping off every 2-3 months.
Hi Mel,

By "topping off", you mean the water levels in the batteries, correct?

-Chuck
Chuck & Mitzi
'01 Safari Zanzibar 3646 (side entry)
Cat 3126B / Allison MD3060
Magnum M-Series "Blue Max" chassis
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland toad
stuplich@ymail.com
Posts: 1146
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:51 am

Re: Keeping coach plugged into shore power 24x7

Post by stuplich@ymail.com »

chuckster wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 4:51 pm Hi Mel,
By "topping off", you mean the water levels in the batteries, correct?
-Chuck
Chuck,
YES
Last edited by stuplich@ymail.com on Tue Jan 05, 2021 12:11 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Mel
'96 Sahara 3530, mine since '01
250 hp 3126 Cat, MD3060 Allison
stuplich@ymail.com
Posts: 1146
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:51 am

Re: Keeping coach plugged into shore power 24x7

Post by stuplich@ymail.com »

chuckster wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 4:50 pm Thanks for the replies. I would assume that my inverter was programmed properly when it was installed? I have only had the coach since August 2020.
That's not necessarily true.
If your inverter/charger is programmable "how to instructions" will be found in the inverter/charger owners manual... or online.
Mel
'96 Sahara 3530, mine since '01
250 hp 3126 Cat, MD3060 Allison
chuckster
Posts: 286
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2020 4:53 pm

Re: Keeping coach plugged into shore power 24x7

Post by chuckster »

stuplich@ymail.com wrote: Tue Jan 05, 2021 11:45 am
chuckster wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 4:51 pm Hi Mel,
By "topping off", you mean the water levels in the batteries, correct?
-Chuck
Chuck,
YES
Copy that.
Chuck & Mitzi
'01 Safari Zanzibar 3646 (side entry)
Cat 3126B / Allison MD3060
Magnum M-Series "Blue Max" chassis
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland toad
astrnmrtom
Posts: 167
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:49 pm

Re: Keeping coach plugged into shore power 24x7

Post by astrnmrtom »

When stored I've always kept my rigs plugged in. Checking the water level in the batteries is something that should be done periodically. How often is something you learn over time. Once a month I'd check my rig, inspecting for rodents and bugs or anything out of place. I'd run the generator and check the water level in my batteries. I discovered they lost very little water in a month so I cut it back to once every three months. Leaving them charging won't hurt them but allowing them to boil dry will.

Some people replace the fill caps with ones that have a level gauge, others add an automatic or manual filling system. The battery tray on my Serengeti didn't pull out far enough to be able to see the levels in the rear batteries so I used a mirror and flashlight. Picked up a Turkey Baster style battery filling bulb at a local auto parts store. Don't use tap water to top off the batteries. It can contain dissolved minerals that can shorten battery life. Buy a gallon of demineralized or distilled water at the grocery store. Your batteries will thank you for it.
Tom and Pris Masterson, w/ Buddy the 18 year old Siamese cat.
1998 Serengeti 3706
300hp Cat 3126, Allison 3060
900 Watts of Solar
17cf, Fisher & Paykel residential Refrigerator
Dragging four telescopes around the US seeking dark skies.
Moonwink
Posts: 50
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 7:46 pm
Location: Near St Louis, MO

Re: Keeping coach plugged into shore power 24x7

Post by Moonwink »

If you must add water to your battery manually buy one of these battery water fillers. (under $15)
https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Tool ... 003EHIFE4/
Image

I opted for the Flow-Rite battery water filling system:
https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-RV2000 ... 001FCAXT0/
Don Ford
2004 Safari Trek 31SBD (F53/V10 20,500GVW)
'15 Malibu 2LT or '97 Aerostar MiniVan (Remco driveshaft disconnect) for Towed vehicles
BlueOx Aventa II Towbar - ReadyBrake Inertia Brake System
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