Note, your chassis battery system (the batteries that start your engines and run the vehicle portion of your RV) are not charged (typically) by shore power and are meant to be charged by running the engine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet there are several things you have to consider before connecting your battery to shore power. Read ahead to learn all there is to know about your RV battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"RV](\"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/RV-Batteries-Charge-When-Plugged-into-Shore-Power.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow To Charge Your RV Batteries From Shore Battery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before you hook up your RV to shore power, there are several things you have to do first to ensure the safety of your RV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Safety First<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You have to be careful not to overload your RV\u2019s electrical system. Running too much power into your AC system can blow a fuse, or, worst-case scenario, blow the entire electrical system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best way to ensure you\u2019re letting in the best amount of power is to use a surge protector. Some RVs have surge protectors already built-in, some don\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your RV doesn\u2019t feature a surge protector, it\u2019s best if you buy an external surge protector<\/a>. It\u2019s portable and easy to use. (we’re not talking about the surge protector that you plug your computer into).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A surge protector determines whether the RV shore power is clean and steady before letting it pass through to your RV. While they\u2019re not required, they help safeguard the integrity of your RV\u2019s electrical system<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s worth mentioning that when you use a surge protector, you\u2019ll notice a delay in the power reaching your RV. This can last anywhere between 20 and 60 seconds (sometimes even up to 3 minutes!). This is the time needed by the surge protector to assess the safety level of the power going into the RV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After you\u2019ve taken all the precautionary safety measures, it\u2019s time to let your battery charge. To do this, you have to turn on your battery. Many RVs have a Battery disconnect switch. You want the power to be ON<\/strong>–this will allow the battery to receive charge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve heard some stories of some RV electrical systems that can be charged while the battery disconnect is OFF, but you have to check your owners manual to find for sure. I checked several makes and models including Winnebago, Forest River, Fleetwood and others and they all said to leave the battery disconnect in the ON or USE position.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re hooked up to shore power to charge your battery<\/a>, you can opt for a battery charger or a converter. Let’s talk about the differences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A battery charger<\/a> allows your battery to automatically start recharging once it\u2019s connected to an external power source. During this time, your appliances won\u2019t receive any power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can still power any appliance that requires minimum power. However, it\u2019s recommended that you turn off appliances that require the most amount of power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Battery chargers are designed this way to prolong battery life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A converter can convert 120-volt shore power into 12-volt DC power. This gives your battery a chance to rest while it\u2019s plugged in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, all your appliances that are powered by the DC power system will work via shore power. During this time, your battery can get some rest and relaxation before you power it back up when it\u2019s time to get back on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes your RV engine batteries will charge on shore power and sometimes not.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Although many motorhomes are wired to share power from the house battery to the engine\/chassis battery, but many motorhomes, (especially smaller or older motorhomes) do not. If your batteries are not wired together with something similar to a B.I.R.D. system then shore power will not charge your engine batteries. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few options, you can install a B.I.R.D. system, but know that it will require you to rewire some of your battery electric system. A simpler solution is to purchase a Trik-L-Start (or its big brother, the Amp-L-Start) from their website, here<\/a>. The Trik-L-Start wires the engine battery to the house battery to get some of that sweet, sweet shore power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n See what a B.I.R.D. looks like and how it works, here<\/a> (from Intellitec).<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you aren’t sure, make sure and check with your owners manual whether your particular model has a house\/chassis battery power distribution system. If you bought your RV used, it’s possible the previous owners modified the battery system so you can look for the electrical components that connect the two. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n So there are two battery banks in an RV, the “house” batteries, or the “chassis” batteries. The house batteries power the internals of the RV (like the lights), and the chassis batteries powers the engine of the RV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regardless of whether your chassis engine charges while plugged into shore power, both the house batteries and the engine batteries are designed to be charged while driving your RV<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This works the same way your car charges its battery when you drive. The alternator converts the power from the gas<\/strong> engine to electricity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like any type of battery, you can run the risk of not charging your RV battery<\/a> enough or charging it too much. In both cases, you\u2019re liable to run into difficulties in the future if you\u2019re not careful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaving your RV battery plugged in for long periods can be dangerous. even after it\u2019s fully charged can be dangerous. If your battery is already charged, you can disconnect the battery to prevent overcharging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can deplete the battery cells\u2019 electrolyte levels<\/a>. This harms your battery\u2019s performance and leads to a reduction in its overall product life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people recommend to charge your batteries and then putting the battery disconnect to the OFF<\/strong> position so the batteries will maintain charge for as long as possible, and thus preventing an overcharging situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The thing to remember is that Lead Acid batteries must not lose charge below around 50-60% of the battery charge as they will lose their ability to maintain a charge. Make sure and periodically (once a month or so), charge up the batteries so you can maintain a charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In short, it’s a delicate balance of not leaving your batteries charging indefinitely but also not allowing the battery charge to dip too low. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lithium ion batteries don’t have these same problem, but shouldn’t be depleted 100% all the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you undercharge your battery, you risk getting stranded with no power source to bail you out. It could also lead to difficulties in starting your engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s better to recharge your battery often rather than leaving it until it\u2019s completely depleted. A good rule to follow is to use 50% of your battery charge, then recharge it each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This way, your battery can last twice as long as if you regularly discharge it to 30% or lower. Are you wondering how long<\/strong> RV batteries last? Check out our article, here<\/a>, where we go into more detail on that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An RV battery monitor can help determine the charge state of your battery. It measures the energy that\u2019s going in and out of your battery. It also gauges the battery\u2019s state of charge and discharge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the modern RV batteries feature an LCD display. It reads out all the important data regarding your RV battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are simple, yet reliable, types of battery monitors, such as the AiLi battery monitor<\/a>. It makes checking your battery\u2019s data easy to read with a quick glance at the LCD display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some upgraded monitors show other readings as well. For example, the Victron BMV-712<\/a> battery monitor includes a temperature sensor. It\u2019s Bluetooth compatible, which makes it easy to track via your smartphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All RV batteries are made up of two different systems. There\u2019s the 12-volt direct current (DC) system. Then, there\u2019s the 120-volt alternating current (AC) system. That\u2019s not taking into consideration the actual engine battery that drives the RV itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These two electrical systems are connected. If the RV is connected to an external AC power source, it\u2019ll charge up the batteries<\/a> and enable the DC system. This is done via a converter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBattery On<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Charger vs. Converter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Battery Charger<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Converter<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Does the RV Engine Battery Charge When Connected To Shore Power?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Do RV Batteries Get Charged?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do RV Batteries Charge While Driving?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dangers of Overcharging\/Undercharging Your RV Batteries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Overcharging: Should I Disconnect My Battery When Plugged Into Shore Power?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Undercharging<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
RV Battery Monitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"AiLi](\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/416A0C62XSL._SL160_.jpg\" "\\"AiLi")
<\/a> ![\"Victron](\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/416h2nfvs-L._SL160_.jpg\" "\\"Victron")
<\/a><\/center>\n\n\n\nUnderstanding Your RV Battery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
12-Volt DC Power System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/RV-Batteries-Charge-When-Plugged-into-Shore-Power-.jpg\")
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