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Old 02-29-2020, 08:55 AM   #1
David & Wanda
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Trickle Charger?

We will be bring my newly purchased 3121RL home from the dealer on Wednesday and will not be able to use it for several weeks (we are getting married!). I am concerned that the two batteries may lose their charge while in storage. We will not be running anything when it is storage but I would still appreciate some recommendations to keep the battery charge up so they will be ready to go when we are. Is a trickle charger the way to go? If so, any recommendations of models? If not, what should I do?
 
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Old 02-29-2020, 09:06 AM   #2
TLightning
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I'd buy a standard smart charger not a trickle charger. The smart charger will keep the batteries charged and will shut off when they are fully charged. If you opt for a trickle charger be sure you get one that will also actually 'charge' the batteries. I use Harbor Freight for lots of things, but they have a trickle charger that will maintain a fully charged battery, but will not charge a battery that needs charging.
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Old 02-29-2020, 09:32 AM   #3
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I use a Del-Tran maintainer that you can purchase from Home Depot,Wal-Mart and auto parts stores. I have used this for years and it will charge the battery if it is low but it is really to keep your battery maintained . I have pig tails on my battery so I can just plug in to the wall and plug in to the pig tails and it's ready to go.
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Old 02-29-2020, 09:43 AM   #4
twindman
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You don't need anything. Just remove the battery cable for the time it isn't being used. I leave mine sit for 5 months - often longer - and the batteries will still raise the front jacks when hitching up. Just make sure it is fully charged when you store it.
A handy and useful item is a volt/amp meter. There will be other times when it is nice, but you can check the battery voltage. If you are new, you may not realize that a fully charged battery is at 12.73 volts, not 12. And wait a few hours after it has been charge to check. Just plug it in for 4-5 hours with a standard drop cord and it will charge up via the convertor.
Happy camping.
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Old 02-29-2020, 09:50 AM   #5
Carl n Susan
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X2 on disconnecting the negative battery cable. Quick, easy and it works.
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Old 02-29-2020, 11:40 AM   #6
Daryles
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Agreed on disconnecting the -ve battery cable.
However IF you want to go the outer way and leave it on a charger, AND if you dont have a 50A hook up at home, get a 50A to 30A doggone (useful for when you go to Campgrounds that only have a 30A hookup, must manage power properly) then a 30A to 115vac adapter then plug it into the garage outlet. Make sure you only use a 12 gauge (or better, 10 gauge) extension cord. I smoked one once (14 gauge). Using this you can use a few things (12A max). DW had one AC going. Worked.
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Old 02-29-2020, 11:48 AM   #7
Slow Hand
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Congratulations on getting married. I wish you many years of happiness.

As for the trailer ya unhook the negative wire on both batteries then when you get home install a battery disconnect in the negative wire so all you have to do is turn the switch. I got mine at a auto parts store. They are not cheap but it's a pain to remove the battery cable every time you store the RV
Here is a link https://www.wirthco.com/battery-doct...nnect-switches
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Old 02-29-2020, 09:20 PM   #8
twindman
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I left my original 12V battery and installed 2 6V batteries. I got a marine switch for something like $35-50. It will go from one battery to the other and then even both together. It is a rotary switch and easy to use.
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Old 03-01-2020, 05:47 AM   #9
David & Wanda
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Thanks for all the advice. I think for know I'll just disconnect the negative terminal and watch the voltage. As our knowledge of the rig gets deeper we make some additions or changes as suggested.
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Old 03-08-2020, 01:16 PM   #10
StageCoachDriver
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My 2 6V Trojans are in my garage. I have them on a trickle charger that runs 2 hours a day (Christmas light timer). I've read running them on trickle full time can be bad. Not sure if that's true, but why tempt fate.


If you're talking just a few weeks before you go out, use the battery disable switch and you should be OK without any charger.
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Old 03-08-2020, 01:36 PM   #11
kdeiss
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X 3 on disconnecting the Neg Terminal as someone above mentioned you can store for months!
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Old 03-08-2020, 01:58 PM   #12
Biker bill
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That short of time just take negative cable off.
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Old 03-08-2020, 02:07 PM   #13
paulinbaja
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Good choice removing the ground connectors. I have a very small (toy) solar cell on the roof. After a year the battery was still full. Yours being new should hold plenty of charge if you disconnect the ground wire.
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Old 03-08-2020, 10:08 PM   #14
Slow Hand
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I have a Battery tender and I never have to turn it on or off. Plugged in all the time. I also have a C Tek charger. It is expensive but does more than just charge batteries.
Here is a link https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-959-C...%2C659&sr=8-11
This is what I have
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Old 03-09-2020, 08:44 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slow Hand View Post
I have a Battery tender and I never have to turn it on or off. Plugged in all the time. I also have a C Tek charger. It is expensive but does more than just charge batteries.
Here is a link https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-959-C...%2C659&sr=8-11
This is what I have

This is the smart tender I use. Our Interstate Battery distributor uses them. They won’t over charge or boil the water out of your battery like a trickle charger.
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Old 03-09-2020, 10:47 AM   #16
mmturtle
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I have this one for my truck.

https://www.amazon.com/AIMTOM-Automa...%2C246&sr=8-55
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