Motorhome Charging On Timer - Advice please

[Wombles]

As our motorhome & it's solar panels are covered when not in use we usually leave it connected all the time to the mains supply but with the rising cost of electric using a timer to limit this seems wise but no idea how long a time is necessary so looking for advice please?
Need enough time to ensure that our batteries (two hab & one cab) are kept happy as well as the alarm system.

 

[Tombola]

As our motorhome & it's solar panels are covered when not in use we usually leave it connected all the time to the mains supply but with the rising cost of electric using a timer to limit this seems wise but no idea how long a time is necessary so looking for advice please?
Need enough time to ensure that our batteries (two hab & one cab) are kept happy as well as the alarm system.

what sort of batteries and how many ah do you have.
Do you know how much drain you get atm, is it quite normal or would you say its high

 

[TCG]

surely if you are only charging the battery, once it's charged, its charged and will no longer draw current

 

[Tombola]

surely if you are only charging the battery, once it's charged, its charged and will no longer draw current

there will be drain like alarm and various bits.
if its Lithium they hold charge for a long time, lead acid not so, esp cab battery.
you could unhook them but depends what he has running.

 

[bertiebasset]

Over Winter I remove both my hab batteries and put them in the garage on a cheap Aldi/Lidl charger plugging the charger in every couple of weeks after doing a voltage check on them.
The starter battery is left on but a second smart charger is plugged into a socket in the van with a zigbee socket,, (mains on but onboard charger off.) This is controlled via a zigbee socket linked to my Alexa who is programmed to switch on the socket for an hour every other day. This kept all 3 lead acid batteries in a charged state over the winter months whilst van is covered.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[David and Sally]

I would suggest. If you leave it on charge all the time then when batteries are charged thecurrentdraw of the alarm would be minimal and the charger would kick in every now and then to top up.

If you time the charging the draw will still be there but will lower the battery capacity more so the charger will have to operate at a higher level to top the battery up but for a shorter time.

So, six of one and half a teaspoon of the other

 

[Wombles]

what sort of batteries and how many ah do you have.
Do you know how much drain you get atm, is it quite normal or would you say its high

All lead acid 2 x 95ah in hab & 1 x 95ah I think in cab
No idea on drain as when off EHU the solar is normally working

 

[TCG]

I would suggest. If you leave it on charge all the time then when batteries are charged thecurrentdraw of the alarm would be minimal and the charger would kick in every now and then to top up.

If you time the charging the draw will still be there but will lower the battery capacity more so the charger will have to operate at a higher level to top the battery up but for a shorter time.

So, six of one and half a teaspoon of the other

agreed ... and either way we are talking pennies

 

[maison]

I admit that I have no technical answer but, for the last 20+ years I have used a timer to turn on three times a week for two hours at a time. Never had a problem as a result.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

If your on an off peak tariff in the early hours I would put the timer/ charger on for an hour between 2am and 6am. If your batteries are full it will only use a few amps just to top them up.The cost would be very small but also will ensure your batteries dont run flat.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[cyberyacht]

Fit a clear plastic panel in your cover and let the solar panel do the work.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Probably only need to put on charge weekly, if not fortnightly as the parasitic draw from alarm and such shouldn't be much.

But when on charge needs to be a good period so the charger can get fully through any bulk, absorption and float phases so the lead acid type batteries are properly conditioned. Assuming a quality charger I'd have thought that would need a good 12 hours to be sure.