Battery?

RRSCOTT · 10-19-2019, 05:34 AM

Winterizing the camper, do any of you leave the battery in and keep the RV plugged in?

**Platokidd** · 10-19-2019, 06:25 AM

We're seasonal's and take our battery home and keep it on a battery tender.
If the cg would keep the power on I would leave it plugged in.

Done both methods w/o issue.

TheWolfPaq82 · 10-19-2019, 06:30 AM

Some leave it in and unplugged. Some leave it in and plugged in. Some take it out and put it on a Bat Tender (That's how I've always done it) and some just take it out and put it on a shelf till spring. You'll probably get just about everyone of those answers from others. Which is best ??? what I do, has always worked for me.

RRSCOTT · 10-19-2019, 06:44 AM

I have always unplugged and taken it out. But it"s been getting harder to get the battery in and out. Plus carry it to the storage spot.

Minthillbill · 10-19-2019, 07:03 AM

If you take out, do not leave on concrete, put a board under it or in its battery box. I leave mine in and disconnected with a battery minder.

latner · 10-19-2019, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRSCOTT

Winterizing the camper, do any of you leave the battery in and keep the RV plugged in?

Yes. Have done it this way with my last 3 campers.

A32Deuce · 10-19-2019, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minthillbill

If you take out, do not leave on concrete, put a board under it or in its battery box. I leave mine in and disconnected with a battery minder.

Old wives tale! I have had batterys sitting on concrete for years and no problem with them.

RRSCOTT · 10-19-2019, 08:37 AM

I have always put it on a board in the basement

RRSCOTT · 10-19-2019, 08:39 AM

Why a maintainer? The box in the camper will keep it charged and warm.

5picker · 10-19-2019, 08:50 AM

A fully charged and disconnected battery will only lose about 10% of its charge over 4-5 months. Nor will it freeze unless you live where it gets below -50°F.

No need to remove it (unless theft is a concern) nor a need to keep it on a charger.

The comments about needing to store it on a board and not on concrete is a misnomer that came about from many, many years ago when very early batteries had rubber cases.

The batteries built in the last 80 years or so do not care what you set them on.

Cypressloser · 10-19-2019, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Old wives tale! I have had batterys sitting on concrete for years and no problem with them.

No, it's not.

Trace amounts of battery acid escaping from the vents can and will over time damage the concrete right underneath the battery, especially when they're on a battery tender/charger.

Tapex · 10-19-2019, 09:00 AM

A fully charged and disconnected battery will only lose about 10% of its charge over 4-5 months. Nor will it freeze unless you live where it gets below -50°F.

Great information here , Thanks 5picker

**Mr. Dan** · 10-19-2019, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cypressloser

No, it's not.

Trace amounts of battery acid escaping from the vents can and will over time damage the concrete right underneath the battery, especially when they're on a battery tender/charger.

So, if the battery must be set on a board, the board must be about 5' x 5' to keep this acid drift off the concrete, right?

Cypressloser · 10-19-2019, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

So, if the battery must be set on a board, the board must be about 5' x 5' to keep this acid drift off the concrete, right?

I didn't say that, all that's needed is a non reactive barrier between the bottom of the battery and the concrete surface to prevent condensation and therefore a chemical reaction between the calcium in the concrete and trace amounts of battery acid. And yes, I still had a rough patch in the shop floor where I used to charge my batteries.

SlowrideHD · 10-19-2019, 09:44 AM

My camper has been plugged in somewhere for the last 5-6 years, except when I'm moving or boondocking. When I'm home, it stays plugged in out in my rv building. Never take my batteries out unless I'm doing something with the connections.

dretired · 10-19-2019, 09:50 AM

Double up some scrap cardboard... Make it at least a inch or 2 larger than the bottom of the battery ..clean terminals... store indoors if possible, with a trickle charge maintainer.. add some distilled water if needed

LegacyFB38 · 10-19-2019, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Old wives tale! I have had batterys sitting on concrete for years and no problem with them.

My understanding is MANY moons ago battery cases leaked a very small amount of current when placed on damp services. Over time, this would discharge a battery.

This is no longer a concern with today's batteries.

babock · 10-19-2019, 10:23 AM

Here is what Trojan says about the battery on concrete myth.

https://www.trojanbattery.com/tech-support/faq/#Myths

boondocking · 10-19-2019, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tapex

A fully charged and disconnected battery will only lose about 10% of its charge over 4-5 months. Nor will it freeze unless you live where it gets below -50°F.

Great information here , Thanks 5picker

Yup, no need to take your batteries in if the weather is cold enough through the winter. My batteries loss about 1% of the charge per month over the winter.

A32Deuce · 10-19-2019, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cypressloser

No, it's not.

Trace amounts of battery acid escaping from the vents can and will over time damage the concrete right underneath the battery, especially when they're on a battery tender/charger.

Never in all my years playing with cars has that ever happened to me. Only time acid will come out is if YOU over Charge it. They will not boil off any acid sitting! They haven't used rubber cases since the ups!

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