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Old 09-06-2018, 09:05 AM   #1
Billhorn
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Winter electric

Would it be a good idea to take the Monty battery and the outside power cable home during the winter. I can't help but think a copper thief would love to collect a few of those heavy cords during the winter when no one is around. I plan to take the golf cart batteries home also.
 
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Old 09-06-2018, 09:40 AM   #2
GLS3950
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Mine sits in my driveway so I leave the cord in the basement. I do remove the battery and put a battery tender on it for the winter.
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Old 09-06-2018, 09:54 AM   #3
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Depends on where you leave it. Mine stays in a fenced gated storage facility and relatively secure. Even so, 6 or 7 years ago someone cut thru the back fence and broke into several RVs. Got into my basement, but not inside. I had mine plugged in using my 30 amp cord and the 50 in the basement. They did take the 50 amp cord but not the 30. But even though they broke into 5-6 other RVs, and they were all plugged into power with their 50 amp cords and adapters, they did not take any of the 50 amp cords that were laying out on the ground and visible. And many more RVs that escaped the break-in, most had 50 amp cords also plugged in using adapters. They apparently were not after copper. Some where less secure, copper may be more of a target.
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Old 09-06-2018, 11:20 AM   #4
Eagleback
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Dont forget the lp tanks and spare tire if your worried about theft.
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Old 09-06-2018, 02:55 PM   #5
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Near both our summer and winter home bases those types of breakins have been for the TV's and easy to sell stuff. For the most part they've done more damage than what they got from selling what they took.
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Old 09-06-2018, 03:31 PM   #6
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My recommendation is a new storage spot.
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Old 09-06-2018, 04:38 PM   #7
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My solution would get to be a full timer and keep it movin. Retirement cannot come soon enough.
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Old 09-06-2018, 04:51 PM   #8
richfaa
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Fortunately we have never had to store our 5th wheels since we have full hookups 50 amps on our property and now that we are long timers we follow the warm weather .

When we were still working and did store our Rv for the winter it was here on the property and we kept it plugged into power as here in Northern Ohio it can get brutally cold during the winter. We strung 60 watt light bulbs the length of the RV inside and when it fell into the single digits or below set the furnace for 40 degrees . I am sure many of you know what 20/30 degrees below zero can do to the interior of a RV.
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Old 09-07-2018, 04:26 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richfaa View Post
I am sure many of you know what 20/30 degrees below zero can do to the interior of a RV.
Hello,

I don't know that

Could you please explain?

Thanks,
Mike
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Old 09-19-2018, 02:29 PM   #10
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I'm not sure of everything but I've read (and seen) flooring that has shrunk due to the cold and split; wood that has dried and pulled from the corners and such. Pipes that were winterized burst because of moisture still in them. The worst case I saw was moisture damage which, to this day, I don't understand how it happened but mold, damaged wood and walls/ceilings.
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Old 09-19-2018, 05:48 PM   #11
mlh
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If you are storing it, yes I would take the batterys out and put them on a smart trickle charger.
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Old 09-19-2018, 07:00 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richfaa View Post
I am sure many of you know what 20/30 degrees below zero can do to the interior of a RV.
Quote:
Originally Posted by skypilot
I'm not sure of everything but I've read (and seen) flooring that has shrunk due to the cold and split; wood that has dried and pulled from the corners and such. Pipes that were winterized burst because of moisture still in them. The worst case I saw was moisture damage which, to this day, I don't understand how it happened but mold, damaged wood and walls/ceilings.
That would be my area, and I have never had any any issues like that. I am very thorough winterizing and be sure all food products are out of the rig for the 6 sub-freezing months we have in ND. Everything else stays put, and I try not to have to disturb anything out there when temps are sub zero.

I leave the battery in the rig, but I do unhook the cables from it. I put a Battery Minder on it and run an extension cord to it. No power to the rig itself.

Have had good luck doing the same for 15 years now.
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Old 09-20-2018, 12:36 PM   #13
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GLS3950, There is no need to remove the batteries. Just keep the camper plugged into shore power all winter. They will be fine (fully charged batteries do not freeze). Don't forget to check the water level every month or so. Get a 50 to 15 adapter so you don't have to use the anaconda cord. I have done this for the last 15 years on 3 different campers and have never had a problem.
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Old 09-20-2018, 05:09 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by beeje View Post
GLS3950, There is no need to remove the batteries. Just keep the camper plugged into shore power all winter. They will be fine (fully charged batteries do not freeze). Don't forget to check the water level every month or so. Get a 50 to 15 adapter so you don't have to use the anaconda cord. I have done this for the last 15 years on 3 different campers and have never had a problem.
I also have kept my last 4 rigs (20 years) plugged in, with no problems, I installed a 30 amp outlet to run an air conditioner when it gets hot. I think the heat causes more damage than cold. For bitter cold I have a 100 gallon pig for LP and run it at 45 even though i winterize.
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