How do I take care of my batteries in the winter?

[Dabmeb]

Originally Posted by BKBuilds

I don't agree Rockfordroo... My camper is plugged into shore power year round, my battery still froze, had the tell tale signs (bloated side walls). Not to mention wouldn't take a charge.

This year I'll be pulling my batteries and putting them on tenders in my basement.

If your converter is over charging and therefor overheating the battery bulged sidewalks is a symptom of that also. Converter do not make very good battery tenders as they are mostly to aggressive unless you get a multi stage converter.

[jeff64]

I've always been a fan of pulling the battery out, washing any film off the top, cleaning the terminals, topping off the cells with distilled water and putting a full charge to it every couple months through the winter, with it stored on a shelf in the garage. The last interstate deep cycle was the original that came on the TT and was still good when I traded it in 7 yrs. later

[Dave Lyon]

Originally Posted by wpgman19

How critical is it to attach a battery tender if stored in the basement (from now till end April)? And what size tender should I get - for a 12v RV battery? Is CDN Tire the best place to get one in CDA?

You might be right.....but, again, not much effort to throw a charge on it every month or so.

I bought the only below at Canadian Tire and it works fine.

MotoMaster Eliminator Intelligent Battery Charger, 2A | Canadian Tire

[hugospro]

With Class A V 10..can't I just keep the shore power hooked up? I like to run the rig an hour or so every month and drive it around my yard to keep everything loose. Good or bad idea? I have been doing this for 2 1/2 yrs.
Thanks

[Dane_mill]

I intend to live in my MH this winter.
I have solar panels on the roof...., will they be enough to keep the battery alive until the spring time?
I could also power up the generator once a week. And take the MH for a spin road conditions permitting.

Any thoughts?


Thx.


Peter

[derek6669]

I have a small solar panel I attach to the battery in the chassis that keeps the battery charged up all winter. As for the coach batteries, I remove them from the unit and store them in the basement. Once a month I charge them over night with a charge/maintainer to keep them at full power. I enter a reminder in Outlook to remind me to do that the 1st of every month.

[Ridenfun]

I use maintainers on my motorcycles (garage) and another vehicle I don't drive in winter (outside but with power available) batteries all have lasted + 6 years. On my sailboat which is outside trailer stored I use a 4-5 watt solar panel, (hanging veritically so not really ideal for sun but keeps snow buildup off it) directly hooked up to the combo start/deep cycle AGM, and it has lasted over 5 winters with no sign of degradation.
Of interest, I've measured some minimal output on that solar panel with over 4 inches of snow on it when sitting horizontal, which was amazing to me. That said to keep it clear, I hang it vertically now, and don't even check it all winter. This is in Calgary with at least down -30F sometimes, occasionally lower.

[camper Dave]

Yep, gotta vent them. Before putting it on a maintainer make sure it is charged. Maintainers in my experience will not charge a dead to partially charged battery.