House Batteries in or out for storage

[wbmasche]

Here in MN the temp is -10 degrees. My Class C Forester is in outside storage with the house batteries in place. I have been starting the RV every 2 weeks or so to hopefully maintain the charge. That seems to work. However, is it better to remove the house batteries and place them on a Battery Tender to maintain until Spring? Thanks for the advice.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by wbmasche

Here in MN the temp is -10 degrees. My Class C Forester is in outside storage with the house batteries in place. I have been starting the RV every 2 weeks or so to hopefully maintain the charge. That seems to work. However, is it better to remove the house batteries and place them on a Battery Tender to maintain until Spring? Thanks for the advice.

Use a tender with batteries in place or out. Your choice. Your starting and idling is a waste of fuel. Most say just place a 100-watt lightbulb on in the battery area.

[boondocking]

If they are lead/acid batterys charge them to 100% with a battery charger then disconnect a battery cable, they will keep the charge for months.

[doulos]

Moved mine to the garage and on a Battery Tender till Spring.

[IMG][/IMG]

[babock]

And just so you know, they can sit on the concrete just fine.

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by doulos

Moved mine to the garage and on a Battery Tender till Spring.

What this person said...

we get - 40 degree temps here. bring mine in and do the same.

[RudysWorld]

I am able to run an extension cord to my Georgetown to keep batteries charged over winter. Check water periodically.

[McCormickJim]

wbmasche, I have a Lance TT that sits in storage all winter. For the Lance's battery, I pull the battery and store it in my garage on a maintainer.

I also have a Georgetown 31L5. Like you, I start my engine every two weeks. But, I also drive it 10 miles or so to warm and lubricate everything. While driving, I also run the generator at load to keep it in good shape. No battery maintainer on the Georgetown.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by boondocking

If they are lead/acid batterys charge them to 100% with a battery charger then disconnect a battery cable, they will keep the charge for months.

Originally Posted by babock

And just so you know, they can sit on the concrete just fine.

There are so many old wives tales about batteries that are simply not true yet people still believe them.

Like the two posters above said... charge them up, unhook the cable(s) and let 'em go till spring and you'll be fine. No need to remove, no need for tenders, no need for light bulbs, no need for wood under them.

I have been doing this with lead acid batteries for many years (not just in R/V's either) and never had a battery go bad from weathering the winter months this way.

[boondocking]

x2 5picker.

My current batteries are 7 years old and have never seen in inside of a building or a battery tender and they are doing just fine.

[KAS]

Originally Posted by RudysWorld

I am able to run an extension cord to my Georgetown to keep batteries charged over winter. Check water periodically.

I do the same for the house battery. I also connect a solar charger to the dash cigarette lighter to keep the engine battery charged.
I have been wondering, do you have to disconnect the chargers/solar panels when you run the engine, meaning will the alternator's power damage them?

[babock]

Originally Posted by KAS

I have been wondering, do you have to disconnect the chargers/solar panels when you run the engine, meaning will the alternator's power damage them?

no

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by KAS

I do the same for the house battery. I also connect a solar charger to the dash cigarette lighter to keep the engine battery charged.
I have been wondering, do you have to disconnect the chargers/solar panels when you run the engine, meaning will the alternator's power damage them?

No. no issues with the panel and running the engine.

[camaraderie]

Originally Posted by boondocking

If they are lead/acid batterys charge them to 100% with a battery charger then disconnect a battery cable, they will keep the charge for months.

Boondocking is correct. Fully charged to 100% batteries will not freeze till 92 below. In very cold temps like yours...IF you remove the negative cable ...the batts will only lose a few percent a month. If you're nervous about it...put a multimeter on the battery terminals once a month and as long as you read above 12.4Vots...you are fine for starting /running and safe from freezing... even in Minnesota!

[Bluepill]

Everything you need to know about wet cell battery maintenance from the foremost manufacturer of deep cycle batteries:

Battery Maintenance | Trojan Battery Company

[doulos]

Originally Posted by babock

And just so you know, they can sit on the concrete just fine.

Thanks but they aren’t there because of the concrete. [emoji106]

[babock]

Originally Posted by doulos

Thanks but they aren’t there because of the concrete. [emoji106]

Out of curiosity, why?

[Ajab]

Originally Posted by doulos

Moved mine to the garage and on a Battery Tender till Spring.

[IMG][/IMG]

Hey, put those batteries on the concrete floor. The battery Nazis will be telling you not to put anything under them.[emoji2]

[doulos]

Originally Posted by Ajab

Hey, put those batteries on the concrete floor. The battery Nazis will be telling you not to put anything under them.[emoji2]

It's much easier for me to check the water level if I don't have to get down on the concrete on my almost 70 year old knees. If I had a work bench, they'd be up there!

[babock]

Just get some AGM batteries and you will never add water!