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Old 08-13-2014, 12:42 PM   #1
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Question 50 Amp service in garage. Now what?

We have a 2010 Sunstar 32k and I have added 50 amp service to our home garage where we keep the RV. The main reason I did this was so when we have visitors I could pull the RV into the driveway and be able to plug in so the guests could use the RV. The plug is inside the garage but the cord will reach with the RV in the driveway.

Prior to this I have always used the disconnects to turn off power to the Coach and Chassis when not using the RV. Now that I have 50 amp service in the garage does it makes sense to keep the RV plugged in when I’m not using it? What if it will go 2 months or more without use? What are the pros and cons to doing so?

Thanks for any advice you can offer on this.

Ken
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Old 08-13-2014, 12:52 PM   #2
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You could put some kind of timing device on this? Having it on 24/7 is probably a bit wasteful and unnecessary. However, having it plugged in and getting some kind of timed charged once a week would probably be a good compromise. Don't know how expensive or difficult that would be but it might be worth considering.
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Old 08-13-2014, 12:58 PM   #3
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As long as you monitor your battery charge and insure that your inverter or convertor is not "cooking your batteries" you'll be fine. I too have a pad now and our last S/B. Always left the coach on shore power to keep the frig up and in summer run one AC to prevent mold and mildew. Winter some heat to the bays. Just monitor your water level in the house batteries assuming there lead acid. Most technicians I have quizzed state it's better to run your coaches systems.
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Old 08-13-2014, 01:02 PM   #4
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Have had ours plugged in for 13 yrs with no problems.
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Old 08-13-2014, 01:13 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kwilkins View Post
We have a 2010 Sunstar 32k and I have added 50 amp service to our home garage where we keep the RV. The main reason I did this was so when we have visitors I could pull the RV into the driveway and be able to plug in so the guests could use the RV. The plug is inside the garage but the cord will reach with the RV in the driveway.

Prior to this I have always used the disconnects to turn off power to the Coach and Chassis when not using the RV. Now that I have 50 amp service in the garage does it makes sense to keep the RV plugged in when I’m not using it? What if it will go 2 months or more without use? What are the pros and cons to doing so?
Thanks for any advice you can offer on this.
Ken
Ken
There are no cons that I can imagine.
Turn every thing off, (just like you do in a house when you leave), and plug the coach in.
Mine is, (and has been), plugged in for 14 years, sometimes for as long as 8 months......... (unless it is moving or we're boondocking or otherwise camping without an electrical hookup).
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Old 08-13-2014, 07:53 PM   #6
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Hi,
I'm on my fourth coach and always leave it plugged in 24/7 with no problems.

Once a month when I run the generator I check the fluid levels in all 3 batteries. I have a battery tender on the chassis battery as every time you go in an out the steps activate which is on the chassis battery.

My new coach has 50 amp however I only have 30 amp at the garage plus a 20 amp. I purchased a cheater cable and plug in the 30 amp cord to it plus a 20 amp cord and wholla (sp) I have 50 amps. During the heat of the summer I set AC's to come on it it gets over 85 degrees inside and the batteries are fine and it is ok inside.

Keep it plugged in and just keep an eye on batteries.

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Old 08-13-2014, 08:46 PM   #7
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I saw it as unnecessary drag on my electric bill, no matter how slight. I keep a cord out there and ready, I disconnect the battery if it's going to sit very long but I haven't experienced the draw that some people see, so I've had no issues letting it sit a couple of months. Two weeks before a known trip I'll plug in, check the converter, batteries, etc.

Other than possibly overcharging your batteries (If the converter is working then this shouldn't happen.) there's no harm in keeping it plugged in.
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Old 08-13-2014, 08:57 PM   #8
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Just make sure it is wired correctly for RV use.
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Old 08-13-2014, 09:10 PM   #9
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Prior to having solar panels, I stored our coach plugged in with a timer set for about six hours a day.
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Old 08-13-2014, 09:37 PM   #10
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24/7 on our driveway.

It's always ready to go!!!!!!
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Old 08-14-2014, 10:31 AM   #11
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TO leave plugged in or not....
Answer depends on converter

Good 3 stage converter.. IOTA with IQ4, Progressive Dynamics with Wizard, Assorted Xantrex models, MOst inverter/converter models, Even a WFCO. and a host of others.. Plug it in

Magnetek 6300 Upgrade converter to Progressive Dyanmics Inc 4600

Parallex 7300... Not sure what I'd do

Models listed are examples.. The 7300 is a decent power supply. the 6300 is not.
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Old 08-14-2014, 11:28 AM   #12
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plug in- keep an eye on batteries
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Old 08-14-2014, 11:08 PM   #13
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I have a garage with and leave my 2011 plugged in for months with no problems. The coach spent a full year on an owned lot with 50A to run the Aquahot. The batteries are fine.
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Old 08-15-2014, 07:26 AM   #14
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I also leave mine plugged in 24/7 when I am not out on the road. I have a Trickle-start installed so the coach and the chassis batteries are always ready to go. Never had any battery problems.

Don
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Old 08-15-2014, 07:53 AM   #15
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We leave ours plugged in and ready to go. Food in the fridge, clothes in the closet and full of fuel. We leave the cold climate of Missouri in early January and don't usually even winterize the RV when it turns cold in December. Just turn the thermostat to 50 and connect the Aqua-hot exhaust to an outside exhaust.
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Old 08-15-2014, 11:28 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kjburns View Post
I have a garage with and leave my 2011 plugged in for months with no problems. The coach spent a full year on an owned lot with 50A to run the Aquahot. The batteries are fine.
Thanks for the reply, and to all for their replies. When you leave the RV for months in the garage plugged in do you hit the house and chassis disconnect switch. Or do you leave the batteries connected?
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Old 08-16-2014, 12:13 AM   #17
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I leave it all on just like when we're using the motorhome.
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Old 08-16-2014, 04:48 AM   #18
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We always leave the coach "on" similar to what another said with the refrigerator running and ready to gol. We have done this for years and with a good multi stage (replaced) converter the batteries rarely need watering. I like the convenience and the standby for emergencies. We have never had a problem since 1977!
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Old 08-16-2014, 05:08 AM   #19
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when plug in do the start batteries get a charge, and if they are low do use acid or distelled water ?. we have to store for 3 days for a wedding i have 2 batteries disconect on panel and a disconect on the converter should i turn all 3 off. the frig will be empty
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Old 08-16-2014, 05:32 AM   #20
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when plug in do the start batteries get a charge, and if they are low do use acid or distelled water ?. we have to store for 3 days for a wedding i have 2 batteries disconect on panel and a disconect on the converter should i turn all 3 off. the frig will be empty
When plugged in, all batteries should get charged. Never add acid to a used battery, only distilled water.
Leaving the rv stored for 3 days with no external electric supplied & frig empty, I would hit the disconnects for house & chassis.
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