Shore power...

[CPittman]

Does being plugged in to a shore power source charge the 5er battery? Or does it only charge when running on the gen set?

 

[byoslandry]

Shore Power

CPittman

The trailer's battery will be charging when hooked up to shore power, also when you're using your generator and while you are traveling down the road through the 7 pin connector by your truck's charging system.

If you put a volt meter set to DC volts across the battery terminals while plugged into shore power, you should see about 14V DC, same with the generator set and the same with the trailer being towed if you can manage to run along side the trailer at a fast clip. :-laf :-laf

Drive defensively and enjoy the road.

Byron

 

[CPittman]

It may just be time for a new battery - the landing jacks are getting slower and slower. Looks like a trip to Sam's or Wally-world...

 

[HBarlow]

Your 5er has an AC/DC converter which converts 115vac shorepower to 12 vdc and keeps the battery(ies) charged. If the landing gear jacks are running slow when plugged in to shore power your battery could have a dead cell(s), the converter could have died (less likely), or you may have blown a small automotive fuse in the charge line.



Try putting a voltmeter or multimeter across the battery terminals while the trailer is plugged in to shore power and also with it unplugged. If you don't see an increase in voltage when plugged in either the converter is not producing 12vdc or a fuse has blown.



Harvey

 

[Regcabguy]

Shore power cord.

I found out the hard way the importance of proper gauge shore power cord. My wife and I were camped in Borrego Springs,Ca. I plugged a typical extension cord appropriate for a power drill etc. from my popup to the shore outlet. Well,an hour later my fridge wasn't happy. I hiked up to the ranger station and informed her of our plight. Upon arrival she confirmed the voltage at the campsite and took one look our cord,shook her head and informed us of the need for a heavier cord. I felt like an idiot.

 

[AMink]

As stated, batteries will charge from shore power. Don't stay plugged in for extended periods, or your batteries will crap out. I have a 30 amp service at my house and leave it plugged in all the time, but flip the breaker for the converter off after the batteries are charged. That way I can run the other stuff if I need to.

 

[CPittman]

AMink - I have a small 20 acre parcel in Baja Oklahoma (far north Texas ) where the 5er stays 355 days of the year. I had a power pole set close to the camper so it stays directly plugged in to 30 amp RV service all the time. I leave the main breaker on and one of the secondary circuits on (it runs the two high-frequency rodent runner-offers).



So you're right - the constant power may have killed the battery.



So should I buy one of those battery isolators from Camping World? Just my luck, I'd forget to let it charge before I take it out and have to run the jacks down by hand... gettin' too old for that...

 

[AMink]

In your breaker panel there might be a converter breaker. Check that first. I don't know about the battery isolators.

 

[Bob Cochran]

I live in my 5er 24/7 so shore power is on all the time as well as the convertor. Most modern day Convertors work like battery chargers ie. if battery low will high charge and as battery charges will ramp down to a trickle charge. What you do need to remember is to check and add distilled water as necessary or you will damage battery(s). This way you are sure to have everything charged when your ready to go but don't neglect to check the battery water level. Sooner or later the batteries will go bad anhd need replaced dispite your best efforts.

 

[obert]

Its been my experience that a really bad battery can "suck" voltage, for lack of a better term. If 14v is not present during what should be a charging state, un hook the batt. and see if DC doesent go up to 14v. Shorted cells often cause this, kinda like when the guy tries to jumpstart his loader and it wont go, so he calls for a service tech to come out, and I unhook the batt, jump to the starter and away we go.



"Your charging me that much for a dead battery?!!!!" Battery maintinence is important. Keep it clean, watered, and good connections.

 

[Smarshall]

Unless you have the top of the line converter/battery charger, it will only charge the batteries to 13. 6 volts max. on shore power or generator. I think they call the 13. 6 charge a float charge. Your wet cell batteries require a 14. 2 volt to bring them to a full charge. When you are hooked up and towing you are getting at least 14 volts and a fuller charge. If you check their voltage after towing and hooked to the vehicle you will find that they do read 14 volts or more if the batteries are in good shape.

 

[Bill Stockard]

My RV came factory equipped with a Progressive Dynamics converter with the Charge Wizard: http://www.progressivedyn.com/power_converters_9200.html

I park my RV inside a metal building and leave it plugged in to shore power 24/7 and check the batteries monthly. I have to add a small amount of distilled water about every 3 months.



Other RVs I have owned didn't use the PD converter with the Charge Wizard and the batteries would "boil" dry in a couple of weeks if I left it connected to shore power 24/7. If you want to keep your RV plugged in 24/7, it would be worth the upgrade to a PD converter with the Charge Wizard.



Bill

 

[Smarshall]

Thanks, I have the PD9145 and wasn't aware of the wizard. Going to order it right away and leave the battery charger at home.

 

[RustyJC]

Our 5th wheel has the PD 9180 with the Charge Wizard and stays plugged in 24/7 when in covered storage. I add distilled water to the batteries perhaps once or twice a year. The newer PD 9200 series has the Charge Wizard function built in.



If you're in a rush, you can find the Charge Wizard accessory at Camping World.



Rusty

 

[Bill Stockard]

Thanks, I have the PD9145 and wasn't aware of the wizard. Going to order it right away and leave the battery charger at home.

The upgrade is a 10 minute job at the most. I've done it for RVing friends. It takes more time to decide where to mount the Charge Wizard, other than that, it's "Plug & Play".



Bill