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Old 03-28-2012, 01:29 PM   #1
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Do you need a battery when plugged in?

This question came up in another thread and because I really do not know the answer and there were conflicting responses I think we need to get hard answers so our seasonal campers know what to do. So do you need a battery for the converter and electrical system to operate properly when permanently plugged into shore power? I thought you did, but that`s just from what I`ve read over the years.

Link to original thread: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=6395
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Old 03-28-2012, 06:00 PM   #2
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Thanks Lee, I'm new and definitely not an electrician. Ruined 2 new 6 volts over the winter.
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Old 03-28-2012, 06:32 PM   #3
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No you don't have to have a battery, BUT when the power goes out you will want one. Depending on the size of the converter, you may not have enough power to run everything at one time.
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Old 03-28-2012, 06:35 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by tlhdoc View Post
No you don't have to have a battery, BUT when the power goes out you will want one. Depending on the size of the converter, you may not have enough power to run everything at one time.
Good point on the power going out. A battery would be a small price to pay for a little insurance.
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Old 03-28-2012, 06:39 PM   #5
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Good point on the power going out. A battery would be a small price to pay for a little insurance.
I have had campground power go out more than once. The one state park I frequent has auto flush toilets. When the power goes out they lock the bathrooms. You have to go to the other side of the lake to use the only outhouse left in the park, unless you have your own bathroom...or use the great outdoors:lightning:.
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Old 03-28-2012, 07:00 PM   #6
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You do not need a battery if camping at a seasonal site.

You need a battery if you are towing, boondocking, or while using higher amperage 12V components (slides, power jacks, etc) that exceed the capacity of the on board 12V power converter. Lights, water pumps, refrigerator, etc., do not exceed most converters output rating.

If you want a battery, that's fine. But you do not need a battery if camping at a seasonal site.
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Old 03-28-2012, 07:04 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by tlhdoc View Post
No you don't have to have a battery, BUT when the power goes out you will want one. Depending on the size of the converter, you may not have enough power to run everything at one time.
If I'm camping in summer and the shore power goes out here in Texas, I'm in the truck with the AC on.

My 12v battery in the camper won't run the AC.
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Old 03-28-2012, 08:06 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by drfife View Post
If I'm camping in summer and the shore power goes out here in Texas, I'm in the truck with the AC on.

My 12v battery in the camper won't run the AC.
X2 on going into the truck
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Old 03-28-2012, 09:03 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drfife View Post
You do not need a battery if camping at a seasonal site.

You need a battery if you are towing, boondocking, or while using higher amperage 12V components (slides, power jacks, etc) that exceed the capacity of the on board 12V power converter. Lights, water pumps, refrigerator, etc., do not exceed most converters output rating.

If you want a battery, that's fine. But you do not need a battery if camping at a seasonal site.
Best answer...IMO.

+ a bunch!!!
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Old 03-29-2012, 08:31 AM   #10
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I will share my experience --- when I did not have my battery installed, I had problems with my DSI water heater. It seemed there was enough noise in the line that it was causing it to fail. My guess is that there was AC ripple getting into the DC system that the battery was smoothing out.



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