Battery Maintenance: Trickle charge vs disconnect

[Phantom0388]

Originally Posted by babock

If you are letting your battery go dead, your battery won't last very long. In fact, if a battery goes completely dead just a couple times, it's usually toast or lost a lot of its capacity.

That is great know, Thanks. We bought our first TT 3 years ago and he one thing that we have found is that it seems like no one will be direct when you have a question so I really do appreciate the help. We have had to learn everything the hard way even when we ask before the problem exist trying to avoid it. I just recently (like 2 weeks ago) turned to the forums for opinions and options.

[babock]

Originally Posted by Phantom0388

That is great know, Thanks. We bought our first TT 3 years ago and he one thing that we have found is that it seems like no one will be direct when you have a question so I really do appreciate the help. We have had to learn everything the hard way even when we ask before the problem exist trying to avoid it. I just recently (like 2 weeks ago) turned to the forums for opinions and options.

Best to keep it 100% charged at all times. The more fully you have it charged, the less sulfation that occurs. Sulfation causes you to lose capacity. I now have lithium batteries but in my boats, I keep them either fully charged by keeping a charger on them or monitor their voltage and top them off when they get down to 12.5V.

[boondocking]

Originally Posted by JayArras

+1

I was told that batteries don't like subfreezing weather. I do the same with my tractor battery.

You were misinformed.
I fully charge my batteries (12.7v) in October and they sit out in sub zero temp until April at which time they are at 12.6v. This summer they will be 7 years old and still going strong.

[JohnD10]

I'm looking to get a solar battery tender...

How many solar watts is good for this?

And brands would be good, too!

[boondocking]

This 100 watt kit would be ideal for you and at a good price.

[NJKris]

See my post #38. Call and ask for the senior discount or military discount. Mine is 16W, the new one is 20W.

[boondocking]

^ I would say that small unit is way overpriced.

[NJKris]

I thought so too, which is why I monitored price until it dropped. The good thing is it's a US company, customer support is great, and the quality is very nice. You can walk on this thing and not hurt it.