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Topic: Should I disconnect the battery? (Read 447 times) previous topic - next topic
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Should I disconnect the battery?
We have a series of storms coming in which will cover the solar panel with snow, probably for a week to 10 days. Should I disconnect the house batteries and pull the solar fuse?   I don’t want to plug it in because I don’t want the electrical cord getting iced up.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #1 –
I just brush  the snow off the solar panels. 

glen
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #2 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
We have a series of storms coming in which will cover the solar panel with snow, probably for a week to 10 days. Should I disconnect the house batteries and pull the solar fuse?  I don’t want to plug it in because I don’t want the electrical cord getting iced up.
Snow and ice won't hurt the cord. Sounds like you otherwise keep it hooked to shore power - I'd leave it plugged in.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #3 –
I left our LD plugged in all winter two years in a row when we were living in Jackson, WY, and then power converter burned when I used the roof ac. After that I just brushed off the solar panel to keep the batteries charged.

Jim
2017 Mid Bath
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #4 –
Quote from: jameshawley  - 
I left our LD plugged in all winter two years in a row when we were living in Jackson, WY, and then power converter burned when I used the roof ac. After that I just brushed off the solar panel to keep the batteries charged.

Jim
Can you explain the connection between leaving it plugged in and the converter "burning"? What year/model is your LD?

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #5 –
Greg;  You worry too much.  I leave the coach unplugged unless I want to run air conditioning inside the coach.  Leave the solar alone. I don't even have a way to diconnect the solar, and that has been fine for 18 years. Trust the solar controller to do its job. I'm in the middle of adding more solar panels, and I will be adding a more up to date circuit breaker that will have a 'disconnect' button. That 'off' button will only be used when I do maintenance on the electrical system.
    Meanwhile, unless the snow builds up to dangerous heights, brush it off.  I would avoid having any water re-freeze on the surface of the panels. I have no choice parking my rig off level because my driveway is slanted, but I would park it non level as a routine move, so that rain would drain off. It doesn't have to be very unlevel, just so that 'Lake Newton' stays dry.
    Don't leave any thing on in the coach (It is winterized, yes?). The batteries can handle the propane detector,  engine computer and radio memories.    RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #6 –
Thanks all.  Yes, my concern is small drains on the coach batteries killing them,  assuming the solar panel is covered with snow for awhile with these storms lined up. So, don’t worry then?  I can’t leave it plugged in this time, Victoria wants her driveway back. 😉

I’m almost done winterizing again. At least I was able to do it without sliding the converter out this time!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #7 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
Thanks all.  Yes, my concern is small drains on the coach batteries killing them,  assuming the solar panel is covered with snow for a while with these storms lined up. So, don’t worry then?

The phantom loads are slight and few days will not kill the battery, if fully charged.
Leave it plugged in. The rig, when covered in snow, is the quietest place around, perfect for an afternoon nap.
If it is a little too cold, use a space heater to warm it up a bit. It's now your clubhouse/mancave, perfect when you need a little alone time.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #8 –
The tech at Camping World said that the converter had “contacts” in it that open and close continuously when the rv is plugged in, and they can burn out if the rv is plugged in for extended amounts of time. This happened to our 2000 mid bath about nine years ago, but never happened after that.

Jim
2017 Mid Bath
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #9 –
Quote from: jameshawley  - 
The tech at Camping World said that the converter had “contacts” in it that open and close continuously when the rv is plugged in, and they can burn out if the rv is plugged in for extended amounts of time. This happened to our 2000 mid bath about nine years ago, but never happened after that

That's a new one, very old converters may have had relays with contacts that wear out, newer, 'smart' converters use solid-state relays that are not subject to contacts burning or wearing out.
As long as the converter stays at the appropriate float voltage when the battery is charged, there would be no issues with leaving the converter plugged in continuously.

With our LD's large solar array, I leave the converter off most of the time and let the solar keep the batteries topped off.
No reason to pay for a 120-VAC power when the sun does it for free.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #10 –
Quote from: jameshawley  - 
The tech at Camping World said that the converter had “contacts” in it that open and close continuously when the rv is plugged in, and they can burn out if the rv is plugged in for extended amounts of time. This happened to our 2000 mid bath about nine years ago, but never happened after that.

Jim
Perhaps this was a fluke, Jim? Many members keep their LD plugged in at home or in storage. Mine was plugged in for 15 years and no problems, which of course is anecdotal to me.

You appear to be a new member. Welcome to the Lazy Daze Owners' Group!

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #11 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
With our LD's large solar array, I leave the converter off most of the time and let the solar keep the batteries topped off.
No reason to pay for a 120-VAC power when the sun does it for free.

Could you clarify that statement, Larry?  Are you talking about turning off the breaker to the converter when plugged in?
If so, is there any advantage to turning off the converter when NOT plugged in?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #12 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
Could you clarify that statement, Larry?  Are you talking about turning off the breaker to the converter when plugged in?
If so, is there any advantage to turning off the converter when NOT plugged in?

The breaker in the converter AC distribution section labeled 'converter'. Turn this off, and all other 120VAC circuits will remain active. Note that the fridge on AC uses 12V for controls and any defrosting heaters, and the propane detector is always on. These are your biggest 12V phantom loads, normally.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #13 –
Thanks, Steve. Since the fridge is off, the only significant phantom load then is the propane detector.  I checked the house battery voltage earlier today and was at 12.9 volts so pretty much fully charged going into our big snow event beginning overnight (up to 12”).  Hopefully my solar panel can handle the weight!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #14 –
"Hopefully my solar panel can handle the weight!"

I wouldn't worry over much about weight. The very few square feet of panel surface will support more than you might think. On the other hand you needn't expect much output... ask me how I know!  :D
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Should I disconnect the battery?
Reply #15 –
Welcome to the group Jim.  The technician at Camping World was correct that there are relays in your power system. One is in  the power converter. It doesn't 'open and close' while plugged in. It operates Once when 120VAC is connected, to disconnect the batteries, and allow the converter to provide power to the coach (and charge batteries on the side). It disconnects Once when you unplug.  Not much wear and tear, since I don't plug in often. Basic Operation - Progressive Dynamics
    My new Progressive Dynamics converter has two fans that go on and off if needed to keep it cool. I expect those fans are operated by electronic 'relays'. An older converter might have real relays to run the fan(s).
    The other relay isn't part of the converter. The Automatic Bus Transfer, a separate box, switches 110VAC from shore power to generator power a few seconds after the generator is started. It switches back when the generator is stopped. Again not much wear and tear since I don't use the generator often. Turn off the air conditioner. Tough on that ABT relay to switch the AirCon load. Not real good on the A/C compressor to switch to a differently phased supply while the motor is running! 
  To add to Larry's comment, my solar keeps the batteries topped off. The converter is left on because I don't leave the rig plugged in. No 'phantom loads' at 120vac there!
  And to clarify my earlier comment; the engine computer 'phantom load' load is supported by the chassis battery. The Trik-L-Start is only active because of my solar charger, but if the solar is insufficient, the TLS drops out.  I've monitored my current drain on the 12vdc house batteries at about 150 ma. Most of that is the propane detector. A few minimal LED lights and the alarm warning light blinking. I leave my temperature display, and motion sensing patio light on all the time also. (those last two are optional, but solar is good here)    RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB