Battery Storage

macshane · 01-05-2014, 09:20 AM

We bought a 2024 Flagstaff HW27KS at the end of August. I have it winterized, but unsure of battery storage. The battery will be stored inside, off of the ground as we are on a concrete slab. I bought a cheap float charger, but am unsure if I should be using it or how long to keep it on the battery. Thanks for any recommendations

Capt. Mike · 01-05-2014, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macshane

We bought a 2024 Flagstaff HW27KS at the end of August. I have it winterized, but unsure of battery storage. The battery will be stored inside, off of the ground as we are on a concrete slab. I bought a cheap float charger, but am unsure if I should be using it or how long to keep it on the battery. Thanks for any recommendations

Most of them can stay on all the time. They bill themselves as "battery minders" and won't overcharge the battery. I use them on my riding lawnmower, my son's motorcycle, our old MG that only gets driven a couple of times each year, etc. They don't overcharge and boil the battery dry.

These are the el-cheap-o $9.95 (on sale once in a while for $5.99) ones from Harbor Freight.

macshane · 01-05-2014, 11:00 AM

Thank you. In fact, I bought mine at HF.

**KyDan** · 01-05-2014, 11:26 AM

I bought 2 of the cheap harbor freight "battery tenders".
They are no good in my opinion.

I put one on my motorcycle and it ruined the battery in one winter.
They don't charge enough to prevent battery sulfidation.

A REAL battery tender Jr. cost under $25 and they are fully automatic.
They charge at the needed voltage to fully charge your battery and then
they shut off into monitor mode where they stay until your battery
needs to be topped up again.

BTW, modern batteries in plastic cases can be safely stored on concrete.

See this thread-- http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ies-51620.html

Brother Les · 01-05-2014, 11:29 AM

check your fluid level and use a fluid tester to check cell power.

macshane · 01-05-2014, 11:44 AM

Thanks. I'll get myself a battery tender Jr. I won't take the chance with the HF float charger.

2012WhiteSolera · 01-05-2014, 12:36 PM

If your referring to the cheap china freight ones, Automatic Battery Charger - 12V putting a meter on them usually shows a higher float charge output than the more expensive battery tender brand Battery Tender @ Amazon.com . I have had sucess with the china freight ones, when connected to the house bat (2) and then feed through the battery mgr. to top off the chassis bat.

Koedean · 01-05-2014, 07:08 PM

General follow up question. How long can you leave a battery before it runs down? I am in SoCal, so can use almost all year. That being said if I go two or three months between use, do I need to worry about the battery?

GalsofEscape · 01-05-2014, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koedean

General follow up question. How long can you leave a battery before it runs down? I am in SoCal, so can use almost all year. That being said if I go two or three months between use, do I need to worry about the battery?

I would worry if leaving for that long. I leave my camper plugged into to shore power when at home or will pull the battery fuse. I think some people have installed battery cutoff switches. The co detector in your pup runs off the battery will drain it.

Koedean · 01-05-2014, 09:27 PM

Is battery fuse easy to determine?

GalsofEscape · 01-05-2014, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koedean

Is battery fuse easy to determine?

Should be. Mine is in a little case just beside the battery box. It is in the battery wiring. It is a 30 amp blade fuse.

Koedean · 01-05-2014, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GalsofEscape

Should be. Mine is in a little case just beside the battery box. It is in the battery wiring. It is a 30 amp blade fuse.

GofE....you have been a great help. Nice you have the same model, so can tell me some detailed stuff! One last thing. I have not bought my TV yet. Waiting for wife to retire and replace her company car with Jeep Grand Cherokee V6. In the meantime, my nephew has offered his Tacoma for use. He asked me about a brake controller. He tows an older smaller pup, but said I need to get a brake controller for his Tacoma. We are thinking I can move It to the Jeep when we get it. Any thoughts on whether I Need one in the first place, what is a good brand and is it something that could be moved from one vehicle to another?

GalsofEscape · 01-05-2014, 10:17 PM

Yes, a brake controller is a good idea. After all you got a 3800 lb camper behind you. I just got one from my camper dealer and do not not remember the brand. Others here can make a better recommendation. The jeep you are thinking about should come prewired for it. I do not know about how easy it is to move between vehicles. Mine was not too expensive, so just got a new one when I upgraded my TV.

GalsofEscape · 01-05-2014, 10:20 PM

It is a steep learning curve ain't it. LOL

LKicklight · 01-05-2014, 11:12 PM

We have the shore power hooked up with the ADCO Cover on the coach set up for the winter. Inside in addition to blowing out the water lines, we also have a radiator type oil/electric heater that stay on low most of the time, not only does it keep everything toasty, but cuts down on the mildew if present also. Batter stays charged and only gets re=charging when it drops in voltage. With nothing running DC wise, the heater should be the only thing running besides the micro wave clock: All the P traps have been " pinked " up as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GalsofEscape

I would worry if leaving for that long. I leave my camper plugged into to shore power when at home or will pull the battery fuse. I think some people have installed battery cutoff switches. The co detector in your pup runs off the battery will drain it.

Koedean · 01-08-2014, 07:42 PM

Ha Ha...just went over to the storage yard....the battery fuse says 30 on it like you said....also says "battery"....no, not hard to find!

GalsofEscape · 01-08-2014, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koedean

Ha Ha...just went over to the storage yard....the battery fuse says 30 on it like you said....also says "battery"....no, not hard to find!

Sounds good.

macshane · 01-18-2014, 09:20 PM

Went & got the battery tender Jr. So far, so good

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Koedean · 04-05-2014, 05:05 PM

You were a great help before. Have our 277hw out for the second time. Turned on the AC and ....nothing. Appears to have no power to it. I don't have the manual with me, but have checked the circuit breakers by the fridge and the fuses. All seem good. Any other ideas?

GalsofEscape · 04-05-2014, 05:16 PM

I take it you are on shore power and not on battery. Do you have power to the microwave? If not, check the gfi outlet. The gfi is the outlet right above the fuse panel. I tripped that once and found that it cuts off everything that does not run off battery.

If you do have power to the microwave, stupid question but you do have it plugged in on the roof??

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