Beat the Old Horse

[artgpo]

I am sure this topic has been covered ad nauseum but here I go.



We keep our CF31QB in a covered storage spot complete with 15 amp electric access. There are four other RVs, 3 Class A and one fiver, allrequiring 50 amp servicein this particular storage building all of which are constantly connected to the 15 amp shore power. The only time I connect is about a day or two ahead of any trip. What are the advantages/disadvantages of staying connected to this 15 amp service?

[gtoguy1967]

Your battery would be fully charged, The fridge could stay on, Though if you lost power that could be a big mess. Ours is always pluged in.

[cwit]

We leaveours plugged in for the battery and to have lights when we go inside. You can run a compressor for your tires or do small repairs. You can run furnace, frig. maybe even watch some tv. I guess you can do a lot but not all at once.

[dja29RK]

Don't forget to check the water levelin the battery. Battery maintenance is something that does not get much attention on the forum.

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by dja29RK

Don't forget to check the water levelin the battery. Battery maintenance is something that does not get much attention on the forum.

I agree with Dennis 100%.
I have 30amp service in the building where I keep the 5er, but I don't keep it plugged in. I connect to electric if I have a need for it. I'm not a big fan of letting everything run when not in use. It can be dangerous, plus a total waste of electricity.

[Dayle1]

My rig also has covered parking, right next to the garage with 30 amp service, but I don't keep it plugged in. In fact, I use a disconnect switch to isolate the battery and a very small solar panel to keep the battery up to charge. In the Texas heat, even when covered, the RV gets unnecessarily hot inside due to the converter running, so the converter fan also has to cycle on and off repeatedly. What happens if the fan fails?? Why waste electricity and run the risk of fire from the converter or the frig?? The microwave will also be powered up. During cooler months I may keep the RV plugged into shore power more often.



As I stated in another thread recently, the MH down the street caught fire Christmas, '08 due to a frigerator fire even though their particular model was not part of the Dometic recall. Owners were upside-down on the RV loan and the insurance payout didn't cover what they owed. Took almost a year to get everything resolved and with the insurance money they could not afford another MH, so downsized (price wise) to a fiver.



In your case, if any of the adjacent RVs catch fire, you will probably loose your rig as well, so make sure you have good insurance and plug it in if you feel the need.

[FB1965]

I leave my camper pluged in and the refrig on until the last camping trip.After that the camper stays pluged in but the refrig is cleaned and left open.Thiskeeps the battery charged and for lights and it keeps the electronics in the TVs warm and keeps moisture out of the converter.As for as catching fire,this could happen even unpluged or while camping, so I can't do anything about it.But I would ruther have the problem happen when not in use of course.If my refrig is on I also keep the gas on for the refrig encase power is lost.

[cowboy_71]

The battery would stay charged but I'm not sure that's an advantage unless you can check on the water level and power service at least monthly, a tripped 15 amp service is no service...We keep ours plugged in but frig is nowturned offsince I read about opinions on that subject in this forum...