Battery question

Newstrand1 · 09-25-2015, 06:42 AM

Maybe a dumb question but I only use my 19h at full hookup campgrounds do I have to have my deep cycle battery hooked up I would like to remove completely even when being stored is this ok

leoslaton · 09-25-2015, 09:42 AM

What is a 19h?

Newstrand1 · 09-25-2015, 09:44 AM

Jayco jayfeather exp 19h (hybrid)

octane · 09-25-2015, 10:45 AM

electric brakes need a least a small sealed lead acid battery to activate the brakes in case of a breakaway... I think the minimum I saw was a 5ah

RoyBraddy · 09-25-2015, 11:22 AM

The RV TRAILER concept is really built around having 12VDC available for almost all of your systems...

You either get this 12VDC from the on-board converter/charger unit when plugged into shore power or from the 12VDC battery setup...

This pictorial shows the Electrical concept of a typical 30A RV Trailer.

If you decide to do this I would not take it lightly about the DOT requirement of having a 12VDC battery supply to operate your trailer electric brakes in the event of becoming disconnected when being moved over PUBLIC roads. Its a law and foremost a safety issue for others using the same public roadway...

I for one don't think i would ever do such a thing but it is all what you feel you want to do... The battery is definitely there for many reasons.

Roy Ken

DocBrown · 09-25-2015, 12:00 PM

The short simple answer is above, you need it for the trailer brakes. Otherwise you are correct, you really don't need it if you never boon dock.

**Mustang65** · 09-25-2015, 02:05 PM

Although it may not happen often, one other reason for having a 12Volt battery in the TT is to stabilize the 12Volt circuit. If there is a 12Volt surge, power outage, or brown out the battery will stabilize the 12Volt circuit. The one thing low voltage circuit boards (fridge, water heater, heating system, radios) do not like are fluctuations in voltages. For that reason, I would keep a battery in the circuit. It is cheaper to replace a basic entry 12Volt battery than circuit boards.

Don

campingva · 10-01-2015, 11:39 AM

Another reason for keeping it is what if there is a power failure somewhere in the A/C supply for the RV. Then you will have no lights or possibly heat while you are waiting for the system to be repaired. I would leave it as it is a good back up when/if needed in an emergency. Also would be good for any stops along your route.

mike837go · 10-01-2015, 12:27 PM

Another vote for:
A) it is ok to remove the battery while the trailer is in storage. Use a battery minder while the battery is sitting in the garage.
B) It is mandatory to have a battery hooked up while it is being towed on a public road
C) Having some amount of standby power (even 5Ah) will prevent confusion and mess when the plug accidently gets pulled from the pedestal.

Griswald One · 10-01-2015, 03:24 PM

I have seen enough electrical issues at campgrounds to know I want that battery backup to get me through and power outages... If you remove the battery and the power goes out... Well congrats you now own a $20,000 tent!

Jagiven · 10-01-2015, 03:58 PM

As stated above, you have to have an on board battery to drive the brakes in an emergency. Otherwise you can get by without it. Personaly, you have it so I would use it until it is dead then replace it, with an appropriate sized battery. If you have a decent battery, during a power outage your frig will work, and you'll have lights.

Remember RV batteries are not no maintanace. You do need to fill the cells with DISTILLED water periodically. Tap water will significantly shorten cell's life.

bucko · 10-02-2015, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagiven

As stated above, you have to have an on board battery to drive the brakes in an emergency. Otherwise you can get by without it. Personaly, you have it so I would use it until it is dead then replace it, with an appropriate sized battery. If you have a decent battery, during a power outage your frig will work, and you'll have lights.

Remember RV batteries are not no maintanace. You do need to fill the cells with DISTILLED water periodically. Tap water will significantly shorten cell's life.

Your fridge will work only if it's a model that works off of DC; most fridges in the hybrids work from AC or propane these days.

mike837go · 10-02-2015, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucko

Your fridge will work only if it's a model that works off of DC; most fridges in the hybrids work from AC or propane these days.

That's a bit much of a blanket statement. It really depends on the model of fridge.

I bought a brand new fridge for my old trailer in 2010. It needed no 12VDC to operate. Propane or 120VAC selected by manual switch and piezo ignition.

Fridges like the one in my 2015 trailer were available at the time. It uses 12VDC to control the flow of 120VAC or propane (and ignite it). Without a battery, when the park power goes out, no fridge!

So, you have to know your appliances to know if they will continue to function if no 12VDC is available.

bucko · 10-08-2015, 05:35 AM

Forgot about the 12V igniter for the propane function; good point!

I've also read that 12VDC fridges are not that quick to cool it down.

Seann45 · 10-15-2015, 06:33 AM

Besides the brakes.. a battery when in the campground will help the converter live longer AND when the power goes out your fridge and lights will still work for a while.

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