Chinook RV

Hi. I have to keep my rig away from me for a bit and it will not be plugged in.
Is there an easy way to turn off (a switch) the Coach Batteries so I don't have to worry about them losing charge if my rig is not plugged in? Thank you.

I think the best way to make sure they are not completely dead is to disconnect at the negative connection at the coach and chassis batteries if you putting it away long term. I will charge them up before disconnect. They still going to lose charge slowly, but unless you have electrolyte spill all over the top of the batteries, or they are in bad health to begin with, it should be OK to leave them alone for several months. I think battery places usually charge them every 3 months if they are not sold.

Thank you. I don't think it is going to be in storage that long (a week or two between use). I live on the East coast and I have just seen the sun for the first time in months. lol

When I purchased it the guy said it always has to be plugged in, and to watch that the one meter can not fall below 11.0, so I have been diligent.

Actually, always being plugged in and charging is not always the best idea. Stock chargers basically don't know when to quit. (You can turn the charger breaker off, however.)

On the 21-footers there is a "store" switch on the cab overhead. This turns off most things but also does not allow shore charging (right? Peeps? I took that all out so long ago I'm second guessing myself now). Also, the store switch leaves some things on (but you get to divine which things - usually detectors, radio memory, steps, maybe more).

Longer term, unless you re-wire a "real" switch, taking off neg battery cable is most reliable.

Shorter term (week or two), you may just have to test your rig in "store" position. If batteries die that quickly you either have parasitic loads or weak batteries, IMO.

A week or two should be fine without shore/solar power. Unless you have a weak batteries to start with. Just make sure the alternator/etc get everything fully charged before the next sleep.

The rig beeps if you plug in shore power with the "store" switch. It forces you to turn it on, so the converter can start charging the batteries. The old converter has too high of a voltage and will boil off the water in the batteries slowly if you plug it in all the time.

I found the Coach Battery Store button. Thank you all!