Battery Maintenance

[sgtpp214]

Wondering! Rather than take the battery out of the Monty and putting it back in when we head South after Christmas I am thinking of leaving it in and also leaving the Monty plugged into electricity. My thinking is the battery will stay charged and the 50 amp cord will stay flexible so that when we hook up to leave all will be well and I will save the family jewels for future use as I did not have to take the battery out of the Monty and put it back in. Your thoughts?

[HamRad]

Dave,
I'd leave them in and plugged into the shore power. They should be fine. Not sure about the cord.... It might be real pliable but should be OK. Getting those batteries in and out of the front basement is a real challenge.

Have a great trip south.
Dennis

[MuddyPaws]

For leaving it plugged in for months at a time you might want to get a 'Charge Wizard'. It plugs into a connector on your converter and will prevent the converter from cooking your batteries.

If I remember right they cost about $40.

I can't imagine what rolling up a frozen 50A cord would be like!

[drsmart]

quote:Originally posted by MuddyPaws

For leaving it plugged in for months at a time you might want to get a 'Charge Wizard'. It plugs into a connector on your converter and will prevent the converter from cooking your batteries.

If I remember right they cost about $40.

I can't imagine what rolling up a frozen 50A cord would be like!

The converters in the 2011's have a charge wizard. When you open the panel you can see a green light pulsing at different rates to indicate one of four charge modes. Model is Inteli Power PD4590. Don't know when Keystone decided to make it standard. Leaving the battery in with power connected is the way to go.

[c214dick]

If it's cold out the 50 amp cord will be a real pain to coil up and put away. I know because we experienced it last year. If you have a 30 amp use that as it is more pliable and easier to put away.

[Carl n Susan]

If the only 120V consumer will be the converter, you can get away with a good extension cord. It is plenty to support the converter (and actually several other low current draw devices) and will be easy to coil up even if frozen.

[ols1932]

If it's just a matter of keeping the batteries charged, then a 15-amp cord will be sufficient. Just remember, if you decide to do any work in the rig while it's setting there that you only have 15 amps available; or 20 amps if the receptacle you're plugged into provides it.

Orv

[Tom S.]

I leave our plugged in whenever it's not in use. So far the battery has lasted through 4 winters. As to the cord, others are right. When it gets cold it is a bear to get coiled up, and what little electricity flowing through it is not enough to keep it warm enough from getting stiff as a board. Like Orv said a 15 amp cord will work just fine.

[Waynem]

Check the water level in the batteries at least monthly.

This little jewel is a great tool: Battery Filler

[ols1932]

I like the fact that my batteries are maintenance free. They are now seven years old.

Orv

[jjackflash]

We're on our 4th winter keeping the Monty plugged in for about 3 solid months thru winter with no problem at all. I do check the water level in the batteries but have never had to add water.
Jack

[sgtpp214]

Thanks everybody for the input. I am all set no grunting to get the battery out and in. Have the charge wizard converter, maintenance free battery, and plugged into shore power. As to that big cord I'll just diconnect it and drag it into the stick house basement to warm up then curl it up in its basket. 38 days and counting. Actually have all the honey do projects done. Ya, right, she'll find more.
Safe travels everyone and if you're in Mission, TX this winter look us up at Oleander Acres.