Another Battery Question

[mitch]

I've winterized my 13QBB but this year I have the option of leaving the camper on 30 Amp shore power or not.  What are everyone's thoughts about the on board converter as a long term battery maintainer? It's the Progressive Dynamics 4045 which, according to the literature, should be able to properly cycle through regular charging, maintaining and equalizing.  Is there any reason this would be better or worse then removing the battery and using a maintainer in my basement? Would it decrease the life of the on board converter for any reason?  Thanks in advance.

Mitch

[david]

[p]I have my suspicions about all RV "converters" being safe for long term battery maintenance. Just the term spooks me. The marine industry calls them 3-stage chargers and essentially all on the market (well who knows about the Chinese ones) are safe for long term battery maintenance.

The RV converter industry doesn't seem to be quite as forthright. So, I would bring your battery home and keep it on a good low amperage, float charger. I bought mine through Amazon for about $20, made by Black and Decker- well who knows who really made it ;-).[/p][p]
[/p][p]I am also a little uncomfortable with 30 amps of AC being connected full time, out of sight out of mind, irrespective of the quality of the converter.

David[/p]

[tinkeringtechie]

I'd say go with a dedicated battery maintainer. I use a battery minder and love it. No worries about it overcharging as it's only capable of 1 amp or so at the most. Also, it it craps out from being on all the time, it's easy and cheap to replace compared to the converter.