Maintaining RV batteries

plumkrazee70 said
We have a new to us '94 Fleetwood Southwind with a GM 454.

The RV part has two 6-volt deep cycle batteries wired in series and a regular 12v battery for the engine.

We bought it last year and we kept it plugged in, using the RV plug you would use when you go to a campsite, however when we took it to have a few minor repairs done, it had to be jump started.

The mechanic said we fried all three batteries. He said we couldn't keep it plugged in without adding water to the 6v batteries. I didn't think you had to add water to batteries anymore. I didn't talk to the mechanic, my wife did. And she was gets flustered, easily.

I don't know much about RV batteries, but can I just buy a trickle charger/maintainer for the 6v batteries and a separate trickle charger for the engine battery?

If I have to add water, I can do that.

I am new to RV's, so I want to do it the right way.

Thanks!

Mike

It has already been mentioned, but the Intellipower power supply/charging system was the best electrical upgrade I ever did to our RV.
Progressive Dynamics Inteli-Power 9200 Series 60 Amp Converter/Charger with Charge Wizard-PD9260CV - The Home Depot

Look into the details on one and you will notice the storage maintenance feature of them.
They have a square wave "electronics quality" clean output and a fantastic battery tending function with what's called a desulfation function.
This function gives the batteries a short burst every 24 hours or so which extends the life of stored batteries.
I always left it plugged in when not in use, because this is what it was made to do.

FYI, 2 six volt golf cart deep cycles will last about 4 times longer than a 12v deep cycle.
I was running 4 six volts for the coach and run everything including the stereo for 3 day weekends without ever being plugged in.