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Old 11-09-2018, 11:38 AM   #1
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Charging rv battery for winter?

I have a 2019 Salem Cruise lite. I'll be removing my 2 propane tanks and bettery for winter. I'll be storing them in my basement. Question:Should I charge my battery? Some of my friends say,"keep battery off the cement floor". I have a Shoemacher Instant Power. Is this sufficient? Thanks for all suggestions.
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Old 11-09-2018, 01:14 PM   #2
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1. Why are you bothering with propane tanks? If they are covered, they are protected from rust. If you are worried about the liquid propane freezing, I hate to be where you are! Freezing point of propane is -306.4 deg F. Besides, storing propane tanks in you home is never a good idea.

2. Cement floor is fine. Unless you are using batteries from Thomas Edison years. https://www.homepower.com/articles/s...eries-concrete

3. I am not familiar with that charger, but unless you have a smart charger, keeping it on the whole time is not a good thing. Topping them off every month or two is a good idea, they like to be fully charged as much as possible.
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Old 11-09-2018, 01:18 PM   #3
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1. Why are you bothering with propane tanks? If they are covered, they are protected from rust. If you are worried about the liquid propane freezing, i hate to be where you are! Freezing point of propane is -306.4 deg f. Besides, storing propane tanks in you home is never a good idea.

2. Cement floor is fine. Unless you are using batteries from thomas edison years. https://www.homepower.com/articles/s...eries-concrete

3. I am not familiar with that charger, but unless you have a smart charger, keeping it on the whole time is not a good thing. Topping them off every month or two is a good idea, they like to be fully charged as much as possible.
x2 !!! Do not store propane in your house.
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Old 11-09-2018, 02:58 PM   #4
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x3! Why remove the tanks? And if you're plugged into shore power, there's no need to remove the battery either.
A charged battery won't freeze unless it's below -40 or colder.
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Old 11-09-2018, 03:06 PM   #5
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Leave the LP outside!
Battery tender JR will keep your battery in full charge and it draws practically nill when idle.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Battery-T...-Volt/15779492
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Old 11-09-2018, 04:10 PM   #6
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Thanks everyone. Going to get the battery tender JR.
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Old 11-10-2018, 03:34 PM   #7
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It is wise to remove the battery and store it in the basement. I personally charge the batteries before storing them for the winter. As others have said, make sure you have a smart charger. A manual charger will not shut off. The extra step I take is to put the battery on a 2 amp maintainer (trickle charger) to keep it fully charged. If I have not used the trickle charger, I charge the batteries again in the spring. I have no had a problem either way.
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Old 11-10-2018, 06:56 PM   #8
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Theft problem area maby?? ��
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Old 11-10-2018, 07:44 PM   #9
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Charging Batteries

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Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
x3! Why remove the tanks? And if you're plugged into shore power, there's no need to remove the battery either.
A charged battery won't freeze unless it's below -40 or colder.
I have a class A MH. I have it plugged in for the winter. Do I need the battery cutoff switch on and the inverter on, to keep the batteries charged?
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Old 11-10-2018, 07:49 PM   #10
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I have a class A MH. I have it plugged in for the winter. Do I need the battery cutoff switch on and the inverter on, to keep the batteries charged?
Probably would be better if you asked in your brand's sub-forum. Your RV is not listed in your profile so I can't move it for you.
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Old 11-11-2018, 12:04 AM   #11
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When it comes to batteries and LP tanks I just leave them where they ride and keep the TT plugged in over the winter. If we have an extended power outage, as we have had in the past after big wind storms, my TT becomes my "survival module". If I run the generator once per day I can charge batteries, run my furnace to put enough heat in the house to "freeze proof" it, and then stay comfy-warm, watch TV, eat fresh cooked meals, all in the trailer.

Harder to do this if I have pulled the two most important items that provide comfort.

Then again, everyone's circumstance is different.
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Old 11-11-2018, 11:18 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by csc View Post
I have a 2019 Salem Cruise lite. I'll be removing my 2 propane tanks and bettery for winter. I'll be storing them in my basement. Question:Should I charge my battery? Some of my friends say,"keep battery off the cement floor". I have a Shoemacher Instant Power. Is this sufficient? Thanks for all suggestions.
I am old school so I keep batteries on wood in the basement !!!

DO NOT put Propane tanks in the Basement !!!
Best left outdoors !!!

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Old 11-11-2018, 11:57 AM   #13
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KyDan, curious why you recommend Battery Tender Junior vs full size or Plus. I was always under the impression JR was for smaller applications applications like mopeds and low compression motorcycles. Thanks for the continual education.
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Old 11-11-2018, 12:20 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TitanMike View Post
When it comes to batteries and LP tanks I just leave them where they ride and keep the TT plugged in over the winter. If we have an extended power outage, as we have had in the past after big wind storms, my TT becomes my "survival module". If I run the generator once per day I can charge batteries, run my furnace to put enough heat in the house to "freeze proof" it, and then stay comfy-warm, watch TV, eat fresh cooked meals, all in the trailer.

Harder to do this if I have pulled the two most important items that provide comfort.

Then again, everyone's circumstance is different.
It pains me to have to look out the window in the living room, only to see our motorhome plugged in just 10 feet away to keep the batteries in check. It’s winterized for any plumbing concerns, but has a full tank of propane for heat and cooking, along with gasoline for the generator, and is also our escape pod if there were to be an extended power outage in the main house or a failure of its heating system.

If we have to relocate, I guess you could still call it camping
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Old 11-13-2018, 10:10 PM   #15
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I am lucky enough to have my TT in the back yard under hard cover.
I stay plugged in with a big 250 gal LP tank supplying gas for the furnace set at 50deg.
All I do is kill the outside water supply and here in Alabama, have not experienced any problems so far. (Fingers crossed)

We have family, especially Grand kids, visit for holidays, etc... and all I do is turn the heat up and they have their own "space" while visiting.

I have a 2016 Surveyor with closed & insulated underside so freezing is not a problem here.

Yes, I do pay extra for LP & electricity during the cold days, but it is worth it to have the convenience of extra bedrooms when need.

As to others keeping batteries charged, the Battery Tender Jr. is my choice for my mowers, tractor, and bass boat all year.
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