Leaving RV Plugged In

[mark5w]

For moisture a small circulating fan or a small dehumidifier draining into you kitchen sink will do the job. I do know a few campers that use the DampRid and like it.

http://www.target.com/p/eva-dry-elec...FYGhOgodLHYAmQ

[ewbldavis]

Looking at all the responses and the poll, verdict is:

PLUG IT IN...PLUG IT IN...

[mark5w]

Originally Posted by ewbldavis

Looking at all the responses and the poll, verdict is:

PLUG IT IN...PLUG IT IN...

Sounds like a country song.

[Tim D]

Originally Posted by mark5w

Sounds like a country song.

Bet it would make a great commercial! Surprised someone like Glade hasn't thought of it.

[1olcatonr]

Ours stays plugged in for the 4 months we are south for the winter. Think about it for a minute. Ours stays plugged in year round.

[moparguy62]

Originally Posted by DirtEngineer

Hi All -

I had my trailer in for some warranty work (unrelated to this topic). While it was in, I mentioned in passing to the service manager at my dealer that my trailer is plugged in all the time (I have RV parking at my house). He said he would not recommend continuing this practice, as it is "hard on the converter". Instead he recommended plugging my fridge in directly to 110V (via the outside access panel) and keeping a charger on the battery. The main reason I leave the RV plugged in is to maintain the fridge, as we don't empty the fridge between our regular weekend trips/holidays.

I'm not sure that I really believe this; does anyone else have any thoughts?

Thats a nut of a service manager. I have 130 seasonal campers in my park who leave them plugged in for 6 months a year, year after year no issues.

[Shoalwater]

I was told it is hard on the converter and that it causes the cooling fan to stay on all the time. Unfortunately I don't have the option to leave it plugged in, but we use it so much that the battery stays pretty charged, and I leave the fridge doors and covered vents open to help with moisture.

[moparguy62]

Originally Posted by Shoalwater

I was told it is hard on the converter and that it causes the cooling fan to stay on all the time. Unfortunately I don't have the option to leave it plugged in, but we use it so much that the battery stays pretty charged, and I leave the fridge doors and covered vents open to help with moisture.

That advice is also incorrect. The cooling fan only runs when the converter is loaded down with alot of lights etc. If you notice when camping the converter is quiet, until you run lights, 12v fans etc. We have 130 seasonal campers who leave them plugged in with the ref. on etc. and their converters last years (most the life of the camper) I hope this will ease your worries, also sold by stage parkway is a battery disconnect with the flip of a handle.

[mark5w]

What happens when the Snowbirds are camping for 3-4 months straight??
In laws camped in Florida 4 months at a time with the same camper for 9 years and never had an issue.

[shoetravel]

I ran 30 amp service out to my shed about 6 or 7 years ago and my Cruiser has been plugged in year round ever since. The only time its not plugged in is when I am on the road. Added water to the batteries a couple of weeks ago, the first time in 4 years since I installed the pair of 6V. They haven't needed it before now.
I use a larger room size dehumidifier in the winter time since it gets a bit damp here. And I don't winterize beyond draining the tanks because I like to venture out in the winter. So staying plugged in is necessary. I guess I am saying, I don't see it as a problem. It would depend on how often you use your trailer and what you are using it for. If leaving my trailer plugged in for 7 of its 9 years has shortened the life of the converter, I am good with it. It was done in the manner that fit my usage.

[JW &CW]

We live on a fairly steep hill and wanted to know how damaging it would be to the refrigerator to have it plugged in all night (the night before we leave on a trip). If we do not do that, it could take up to 6 hours for the fridge to cool down.
We have a 30 RE Sunset Trail.
Thoughts?
Thanks,

JW &CW

[moparguy62]

Originally Posted by JW &CW

We live on a fairly steep hill and wanted to know how damaging it would be to the refrigerator to have it plugged in all night (the night before we leave on a trip). If we do not do that, it could take up to 6 hours for the fridge to cool down.
We have a 30 RE Sunset Trail.
Thoughts?
Thanks,

JW &CW

These refrigerators use an ammonia gas with a heating element. They work best level as the gas heats it rises, as it falls over the cooling fins it cools. This wouldn't really damage it, it may not cool as well.

[Loneoak]

RV Travel had a live web cast today and I posed that question. The experts in the conversation were Chris Dougherty, RV Tech and Mike Sokol, RV electrical expert. Both said there is no problem keeping it plugged in.