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05-23-2011, 09:46 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Evanston, Wyoming
Posts: 41
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What do you do with your batteries between trips?
In the location where I store my trailer I do not have access to power to keep the trailer plugged in to keep the batteries charged. So if it is stored for more than 2 or 3 weeks the batteries become completely discharged. Just wondering what others do? Should I take the batteries out after each trip and keep them in the garage on a trickle charger? or would simply disconnecting them so there was no power draw on them be good enough? Thanks in advance for your input.
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05-23-2011, 10:24 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 2,618
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I usually take the battery out while the trailer is winterized and leave it in the rest of the time. I recently installed a battery disconnect switch to help keep the battery from running down in between trips.
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05-23-2011, 10:59 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Jefferson County, MO
Posts: 5,449
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I just disconnect one of the cables from the battery when I know I won't be using the trailer for a week or so. When I winterize, I take the battery out and bring it home.
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Bob and Joyce
2013 CC Silverback 29RL
2010 Ford F250 XL Crew Cab 6.4 liter diesel
ATU Local 788
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05-23-2011, 11:05 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fair Play SC, and Staten Island NY
Posts: 30
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All good advise and I do the same. Take them out for the winter, and disconnect the lead between trips. I reconnect just before starting out and by the time I get to my destination, the battery is fully charged again.
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Richie and Rose
2011 Ford Expedition Limited
2011 Flagstaff V-Lite 30WFKSS
nights camped in 2010 - 20
nights camped in 2011 - 28
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05-23-2011, 11:08 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 533
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That was one of the first mod's I did when I got my new camper, I put a disconnect switch on the battery.
__________________
2004 Chevy Avalanche Z66 W/Transmission Cooler
2011 Grey Wolf 28BH
Blue Ox Sway Pro WDH
2 Beagles (Snoopy & Dexter)
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05-23-2011, 12:20 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,607
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installing a disconnect switch is the easiest and one of the most popular mods on trailers.
my batteries hardly lose their charge for weeks, when i use the disconnect switch.
taking the cable on and off, gets to be a hassle.
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05-23-2011, 12:36 PM
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#7
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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I have a multistage converter that I keep plugged in all winter. I leave my batteries installed; hooked up; and the switch ON so that the trickle charger keeps the batteries topped off and warm all winter. I check the fluid levels monthly.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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05-23-2011, 09:23 PM
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#8
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J. Parham
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 88
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I added disconnect that is turned off between trips and pull battery during winter.
__________________
2011 8528BHSS
2013 Silverado 2500HD 6.6L
Nights Camped in 2011: 32
Nights Camped in 2012: 85
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05-23-2011, 09:30 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,446
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Ditto on adding a disconnect switch.
__________________
Great choice for "Living within my means" and camping for one...
Formerly owned 2011 Salem Cruise Lite 20RBXL & 2011 Toyota Tundra Dbl Cab
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05-23-2011, 09:49 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 266
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What is a source for a battery disconnect? Where and how is it installed? It sounds like something many of us would like to do!
Thanks!
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Jim & Nicky
2012 Forest River XLR 29 MBV
2010 Dodge 2500 Cummings
Honda ST1100
BMW R1100R
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05-23-2011, 10:45 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 2,618
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You should be able to find one at any RV dealer, wal mart, Lowes, auto parts store etc.....
You install it inline on your batteries positive side. Easy to do.
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05-24-2011, 04:59 AM
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Southeast Wisconsin
Posts: 6,949
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Just type in "battery disconnect" in amazon. Its a popular boat item so you have plenty of choices.
I bought a Blue Sea 6006 - ...
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Scott
DW, 3 Kids and our Goldens
2012 Shamrock 233S
2008 Toyota Sequoia 5.7L 4WD
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05-24-2011, 06:38 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Picton
Posts: 714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grhodes50
You should be able to find one at any RV dealer, wal mart, Lowes, auto parts store etc.....
You install it inline on your batteries positive side. Easy to do.
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A disconnect switch is a must have if you park your trailer for more than 4-5 days with no way of keeping the battery charged up. The LP/CO and radio alone will drain the battery.
You can install on either Neg or Pos side. 6 of one, half-dozen the other.
I personally disconnect the Neg or Ground, as I have on my cars and bikes for over 40 years.
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Denis & Diane
* Happy Campers *
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05-24-2011, 06:43 AM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 3,365
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Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769
I have a multistage converter that I keep plugged in all winter. I leave my batteries installed; hooked up; and the switch ON so that the trickle charger keeps the batteries topped off and warm all winter. I check the fluid levels monthly.
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He has no access to power . . .
__________________
2021 F350 Lariat 7.3 4X4 w 4.30s, 2018 Wildcat 29RLX
2012 BMW G650GS, Demco Premiere Slider
1969 John Deere 1020, 1940 Ford 9N, 1948 Ford 8N
Jonsered 535, Can of WD-40, Duct Tape
Red Green coffee mugs
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05-24-2011, 07:35 AM
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#15
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by acadianbob
He has no access to power . . .
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I missed that Bob, thanks.
Remove the batteries to a warm area if you can not use a battery tender.
While a battery shutoff switch is a great idea and I have one as well, the internal resistance in the battery will discharge it over time even disconnected. Once the charge on the battery drops to a point where the Specific Gravity of the electrolyte is close to water, it will freeze and break plates or crack the case.
I would use the battery shutoff switch in the summer between trips. and charge it up for a few days before I left. That way the fridge would be cold and the battery charged at the same time.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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05-24-2011, 08:54 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 125
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Battery Disconnect during summer, store battery in garage during winter.... $8 from Harbor Freight...
Battery Disconnect Switch
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05-24-2011, 11:05 AM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lake Wylie, SC
Posts: 19
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Powers the radio and accesories in the golf cart when not on the camper
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831QBSS
held on by Reese Dual Cam
pulled by 2005 F-350 Lariat DRW 6.0 PSD
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05-24-2011, 01:04 PM
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#18
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,607
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Linnemj
What is a source for a battery disconnect?
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Google!
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05-24-2011, 01:26 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Walled Lake
Posts: 1,140
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I just disconnect mine. I would like to buy a good disconnect switch, actually bought a cheap one, but can't figure out how to install it.
__________________
Kristina
2016 Rockwood Premier 2317G
2021 F150 XLT
Previously:
2005 Fleetwood Seapine, 2012 Rockwood Roo
2015 Sunseeker, 2017 Fleetwood Pace Arrow
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05-25-2011, 01:34 AM
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#20
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,446
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I got one installed by the service dept. at the dealership. I opted for the push/pull knob and am very happy with it.
I know that installing a disconnect handle is very easy but it wouldn't be for me. Besides I want to avoid removing the propang tank cover as much as possible.
__________________
Great choice for "Living within my means" and camping for one...
Formerly owned 2011 Salem Cruise Lite 20RBXL & 2011 Toyota Tundra Dbl Cab
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