sargent em325

Hi Everyone
   Sorry to go over an old topic but just want to be clear,Is is normal practice to leave the MH on electric hook up all winter with every thing switched on to keep the batteries in good condition
regards
Alan

Hi
You shouldn't need to leave everything on as the Sargent system will monitor the batteries and keep them charged up. They actually recommend storage with the system turned off at the touch screen panel. The system will keep checking both the batteries and charge as required.
The only thing we keep on is a small heater and a dehumidifier.
Roll on the spring.
CP

I have 6.5 years experience of using a 325. When on hook up, the habitation circuitry is powered by an independent power supply unit and the charger connected to whichever battery is selected on the control panel. The charger can have an output up to 18v and can drop down to a trickle charge - there is no float charge option.

If you have an 80w or larger solar panel and park outside, that will, via the duplex regulator in the 325, keep all batteries charged all year. If during winter, when not using the van, you want to connect 230v for any reason (small radiator say) make sure you switch off the charger to prevent damage to the batteries.

If you don't have a solar panel, charge each battery for circa 24 hrs every second week.

When you are using the van and pitched on a site for more than 5 days, switch off the charger for at least 24hrs every week to discharge the batteries a bit otherwise the continuous charge with no load risks damaging the batteries.

The 325 was a very short lived system being replaced by the almost identical 328 in which the battery selected is always connected to the habitation load and the charger can float charge when the batteries are fully charged.