So how long CAN you leave a 7-way connector plugged into your TV?

[MicheleJolie]

Total newbie here --just got home from my first camping experience with 2023 Aliner Scout Lite. No fatalities! I stayed cozy in the camper even though it was in the 40's and drizzly for part of my trip.

I don't want to run down my TV battery, but I'm lazy and don't want to unplug the 7 way if I don't have to. I'm reading and hearing different advice for how long you can leave the 7 way connector plugged into the TV. One source (can't remember which) said as long as you're connected to Shore Power, you won't run down the TV's battery. Another source said overnight is the max, even if connected to Shore Power. So . . .
How long can 7 way stay connected if I'm plugged into Shore Power?
How long can it stay connected if I'm not plugged into Shore Power?
Can I remove the camper battery fuse instead of unplugging the 7 way?

Thanks in advance, folks!

 

[Sjm9911]

Not exactly sure what you are trying to achieve here? When set up, un plug it? If on the road and your TV dose not have an auto cut off , un plug it. Not sure why you would not want to unplug it? Also, when set up as you are in the photo, unhook the chains. If you need the TV in an emergency, or just go out to dinner and forget to unchain the camper, it will not end well. Best bet is to have a routine and stick with it so you dont mess anything up. As for if the camper will draw power when its hooked to Shore Power, I have no idea. But I do know if it dosent have the auto cut off and you loose power in the night, you may have a dead battery in the TV in the am. But its up to you how much you want to gamble.

 

[Raycfe]

^^^^^^^^^ What he said ^^^^^^

 

[jmkay1]

I don’t know how it works, but newer converters are charging the battery when plugged into Shore Power and some vehicles can charge the battery via the 7 way connection. Personally I would be afraid of “cooking” the battery Due to overcharging. Whether that can happen or not I have no clue and not something I want to find out. I get not wanting to disconnect especially On short trips but I would use only one power source.

 

[Lug_Nut]

Are you still attached at the tow ball in the image (and duplicate) in your post? I think you are, but my screen image isn't that good.
If not, be aware that the trailer corner stabilizers should not be relied on as trailer supports. The trailer wheels and the tongue jack post should be the majority support with the corner stabilizers only pressed down just enough to stop wiggling as you move around inside.
Using the stabilizers as levelers, especially if using the stabilizers to lift the van to get a still-hitched trailer level, is frowned upon.

I don't recognize a reason to state that you must disconnect the 7 pin connection when the trailer is connected to Shore Power. A campground power outage might mean that the trailer's battery will deplete, eventually. Most boondockers report/boast their trailer battery lasts for days. A few hours of battery use is what the battery was intended to do.
The van likely has an ignition key completed power circuit to the 7 pin connector, meaning that if the key is not in and turned to ON or ACC, there is no completion of the electric circuit connection between the van battery and the trailer, even with the plug and socket attached.
If the van is wired so that the van's battery power is always at the connector, it means you have TWO batteries to provide power should the campground lose Shore Power. If a loss of Shore Power for a few hours can be managed with one trailer battery, it can be managed with the combined trailer and van batteries.

 

[Sjm9911]

It could be, but you could also drain down the TV battery enough so it will not start. Addtionally, charging will take 2x as long as you are charging 1 big battery. If you start with an uncharged battery charging may not keep up with demand. So, you need to make sure it has a cut off. I left my camper plugged into the tv ( older truck) in 3.5 hours it drained down the battery almost to the point of not starting as the fridge was on 12v. So ,it depends on the demands. And how much charge you started with.

 

[Sjm9911]

And it may still be on the ball, I looked and thought it was off but the jack isnt down, so good catch.

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

Once towing is over, unplug the TV. It's simple and safe and dead easy.

 

[MicheleJolie]

Not exactly sure what you are trying to achieve here? When set up, un plug it? If on the road and your TV dose not have an auto cut off , un plug it. Not sure why you would not want to unplug it? Also, when set up as you are in the photo, unhook the chains. If you need the TV in an emergency, or just go out to dinner and forget to unchain the camper, it will not end well. Best bet is to have a routine and stick with it so you dont mess anything up. As for if the camper will draw power when its hooked to Shore Power, I have no idea. But I do know if it dosent have the auto cut off and you loose power in the night, you may have a dead battery in the TV in the am. But its up to you how much you want to gamble.

Thank you! I'm just lazy and trying to achieve the least amount of set up if I'm only staying a couple of nights : )
I'm brand new to pop up camping. In our tent and backpacking days, we'd get to the site and wouldn't leave until ready to scoot home, so it never even occurred to me I'd want to go somewhere after arrival, but maybe this will be different. I love your suggestion about having a routine and sticking to it. I'll need that.

 

[MicheleJolie]

Are you still attached at the tow ball in the image (and duplicate) in your post? I think you are, but my screen image isn't that good.
If not, be aware that the trailer corner stabilizers should not be relied on as trailer supports. The trailer wheels and the tongue jack post should be the majority support with the corner stabilizers only pressed down just enough to stop wiggling as you move around inside.
Using the stabilizers as levelers, especially if using the stabilizers to lift the van to get a still-hitched trailer level, is frowned upon.

I don't recognize a reason to state that you must disconnect the 7 pin connection when the trailer is connected to Shore Power. A campground power outage might mean that the trailer's battery will deplete, eventually. Most boondockers report/boast their trailer battery lasts for days. A few hours of battery use is what the battery was intended to do.
The van likely has an ignition key completed power circuit to the 7 pin connector, meaning that if the key is not in and turned to ON or ACC, there is no completion of the electric circuit connection between the van battery and the trailer, even with the plug and socket attached.
If the van is wired so that the van's battery power is always at the connector, it means you have TWO batteries to provide power should the campground lose Shore Power. If a loss of Shore Power for a few hours can be managed with one trailer battery, it can be managed with the combined trailer and van batteries.

Yes, still attached at the tow ball in the image. Sorry about the duplication! This ended up being a one-night trip -- I was close to home and bad weather coming in -- and I didn't disconnect anything. No problems.
Thanks for the good reminder about not using the stabilizers for actual support. One of the very few things I'm sure about so far is that the tongue jack post supports the camper when it's not seated on the ball.

 

[DanR]

I always disconnect. I saw a camper burn. No way I would want to try and unhook the vehicle during a fire.

 

[SteveP]

What options do you have in the camper? A basic Scout Lite should have a couple of LED bulbs and a roof vent fan. Just using the lights you could go for days without Shore Power. If using a popup furnace fan you'll probably run down the battery over night. Plugged in to Shore Power you should be good indefinitely, if the converter will maintain charge on a camper battery it won't hurt your starting battery.

 

[tfischer]

Unhitching (ball and all) should take no longer than about 30 seconds. Rehitching shouldn't take longer than a couple minutes. There's absolutely no reason to not do this, other than maybe pulling into a parking lot at 11pm and leaving at 7am. Otherwise, you need the tongue jack to be level anyway, and you lose use of your TV during the whole trip (even if you don't think you're going to "go anywhere" it's often handy to grab firewood, get fresh water or dump a cassette, etc.

As for how long can you keep plugged in... it depends. Depends on your camper/converter. Depends on your TV and whether it cuts off aux power when the key is off. You might be able to go indefinitely with Shore Power, or maybe not. It honestly isn't worth worrying about, just unhitch like everyone else.

 

[Briorick]

Total newbie here --just got home from my first camping experience with 2023 Aliner Scout Lite. No fatalities! I stayed cozy in the camper even though it was in the 40's and drizzly for part of my trip.

I don't want to run down my TV battery, but I'm lazy and don't want to unplug the 7 way if I don't have to. I'm reading and hearing different advice for how long you can leave the 7 way connector plugged into the TV. One source (can't remember which) said as long as you're connected to Shore Power, you won't run down the TV's battery. Another source said overnight is the max, even if connected to Shore Power. So . . .
How long can 7 way stay connected if I'm plugged into Shore Power?
How long can it stay connected if I'm not plugged into Shore Power?
Can I remove the camper battery fuse instead of unplugging the 7 way?

Thanks in advance, folks!
View attachment 89118 View attachment 89118

Just wanted to say..... Nice setup! Congrats, and Enjoy!

 

[brettstoner]

You need to take a volt meter and see if your 7-way connector on the car has 12v or not when the car is off.

If it does not have 12v when the car is off then the camper will not draw down your car battery (nor will it charge your battery when plugged into shore 120v). You could leave it plugged in with no issues.

If your 7-way has 12v at all times then when the car is off your will be drawing down your car battery and it will go dead. In a few hours, overnight, maybe a couple days. Too many factors to give an accurate estimate. E.g. hardwired CO2 detector, fridge, furnance, lights, health of camper battery, etc. If you are plugged into Shore Power then the camper will be charging your car battery through the 7-way. I would not worry about overcharging your battery as almost all converters will go into a trickle or maintenance mode at a certain voltage.

Having said that most campers disconnect from the trailer and unplug the tow vehicle. It is not common practice to leave it connected.

 

[poppy65]

Not exactly sure what you are trying to achieve here? When set up, un plug it? If on the road and your TV dose not have an auto cut off , un plug it. Not sure why you would not want to unplug it? Also, when set up as you are in the photo, unhook the chains. If you need the TV in an emergency, or just go out to dinner and forget to unchain the camper, it will not end well. Best bet is to have a routine and stick with it so you dont mess anything up. As for if the camper will draw power when its hooked to Shore Power, I have no idea. But I do know if it dosent have the auto cut off and you loose power in the night, you may have a dead battery in the TV in the am. But its up to you how much you want to gamble.

I agree with you.

 

[tenttrailer]

It depends?


1) as long as you want if your 7 pin connector has not been wired for a battery.

2) if not connected to Shore Power you will discharge the TV battery. Discharge will be at at a fast rate if you are running the fridge on 12v.

3) if connected to Shore Power? You can stay connected as long as you want. The TV battery will get fully charged.

 

[bruce wayne]

welcome to the aliner family!
my aliner will kill both batteries (tv and trailer) in a couple of hours if: you have a 12 volt fridge running. i've done it a couple of times.
my seven pin is connected straight to the tv battery (with breakers of course), per the "etrailer" wiring harness
as someone mentioned, stabilizers are just that, NOT jacks.
my aliner has only rear stabilizers, and if i'm pulling in late, and for one night, i'll not even jack them down, i'll stay connected, with the exception of the seven pin. (i always UNPLUG).
honestly, i'm not sure if the stock 12 volt converter in an aliner with the fridge running, even on Shore Power.
good luck, live and learn! i love my aliner,

 

[stierheim]

It depends?


1) as long as you want if your 7 pin connector has not been wired for a battery.

2) if not connected to Shore Power you will discharge the TV battery. Discharge will be at at a fast rate if you are running the fridge on 12v.

3) if connected to Shore Power? You can stay connected as long as you want. The TV battery will get fully charged.

This is TV dependent. Most vehicles with a tow package and factory 7-pin connector will disconnect the 7-pin 12V charge line when the vehicle is not running and therefore the TV battery cannot discharge (nor can it be charged by the PUP converter.

If the 7-pin was an added accessory by someone, then it may or may not disable the 12V charge line when the vehicle is off.

 

[MicheleJolie]

What options do you have in the camper? A basic Scout Lite should have a couple of LED bulbs and a roof vent fan. Just using the lights you could go for days without Shore Power. If using a popup furnace fan you'll probably run down the battery over night. Plugged in to Shore Power you should be good indefinitely, if the converter will maintain charge on a camper battery it won't hurt your starting battery.

Thanks, Steve! Yes, the LED's and the roof fan are all that's built in.

Trying my best not to panic about anything!