Deep Cell Battery

pattersonb · 09-30-2011, 11:20 AM

My 2008 Cardinal 30RKLE 5th wheel has the original battery. Between camping trips, the trailer is stored - plugged into "shore power" - on my driveway. Presumably, the battery is being constantly supplied with a charge from the AC power source. Most of my camping involves being connected to "shore power", so my actual battery-only use is minimal. My questions are: 1) Does this shorten the life of the battery? 2) Do modern deep cell batteries have the same problem with "discharge memory" as old units did? 3) If so, should I let the battery discharge completely and then recharge it? Thanks!

acadianbob · 09-30-2011, 11:36 AM

Here are my thoughts, others may have alternative viewpoints

1) Batteries are better off stored charged than discharged. So, leaving it plugged in is fine; assuming you have a 3-stage charger. I'm sure you do.
2) No, there is no discharge memory
3) It might not hurt to occasionally "exercise" your battery by discharging. BUT, you do NOT want to TOTALLY discharge it. A 50% discharge is acceptable; or bringing it down to approximately 12.0 to 12.1 volts. Then re-charge it immediately.

There is a thing called sulphation that can shorten the life of batteries that sit a lot; especially without being exercised. Your trailer charger will not address that issue. I use a product called a Battery Minder. This is what I use when the trailer is stored; the battery disconnected from the trailer. It has anti-sulphation technology and will keep your battery charged and conditioned. No personal interest in this product other than it works great. I have batteries that are 6 to 10 years old and still going strong; because of the Battery Minder IMO. Look at this link for useful information.

Camping/RV Battery Chargers | Battery Chargers by BatteryMINDers.com

wfmdfm · 09-30-2011, 01:19 PM

Do you keep the battery in a non freezing area during the winter while you have the Battery Minder connected or do you have it out in the cold and connect it? Another question can you have more that one battery connected to the unit at the same time?
Wally

pattersonb · 09-30-2011, 04:24 PM

Wally,
The battery is still in the RV. So far, we haven't had freezing weather (However, I live in northern Mich, and it's not far behind!). I will remove the battery for winter storage, and store it on a wooden platform in my furnace room. I'm going to investigate a suggestion on another post in this forum, and buy a Battery Minder. Thanks for your reply!

donn · 09-30-2011, 05:04 PM

I have left my batteries in my RV's for nearly 30 years with no ill effects. As long as the RV is plugged in, and the batteries are fully charged the batteries will not freeze. Leave them in, take them out? this debate has raged for years. If you feel better taking it out, then do it. But IMHO it is not necessary. When is the last time you actually saw or heard of a fully charged battery freezing?

acadianbob · 09-30-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wfmdfm

Do you keep the battery in a non freezing area during the winter while you have the Battery Minder connected or do you have it out in the cold and connect it? Another question can you have more that one battery connected to the unit at the same time?
Wally

Yes, I do put it in a non-freezing area; not sure you would need to. And depending on the model, most of them can do 3 batteries at once.

Jeep4Two · 10-01-2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattersonb

Wally,
The battery is still in the RV. So far, we haven't had freezing weather (However, I live in northern Mich, and it's not far behind!). I will remove the battery for winter storage, and store it on a wooden platform in my furnace room. I'm going to investigate a suggestion on another post in this forum, and buy a Battery Minder. Thanks for your reply!

I would highly recommend not storing in the furnace room if you plan on keeping it on a battery charger of any sort. Charging batteries can release hydrogen gas, and if that builds up in an enclosed space and a spark ignites it..... Yikes!

muzbomb · 10-02-2011, 11:18 AM

What is the dry cell battery deep cycle like guys? I got the dealer to throw one in my RV as part of the deal.

**Herk7769** · 10-02-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzbomb

What is the dry cell battery deep cycle like guys? I got the dealer to throw one in my RV as part of the deal.

I have to scratch my head here.

Please add some more information as to type and make of battery.
Do you mean Gel Cell? Closed Cell (maintenance free lead acid)?

Dry Cell batteries are like AA, AAA, C, or D and go into flashlights.

muzbomb · 10-02-2011, 01:38 PM

Not sure if this will help you out. 12V Dry Cell EV/Deep Cycle Sealed Battery, last longer than typical Deep Cycle Battery. That is what it says on there parts order list.

**Herk7769** · 10-02-2011, 01:49 PM

Harris Battery

Ah, Sealed Gel Cell.

Well, not much to go on 'till you see a model number. These batteries have Amp Hour ratings from 0.5 Amp Hours to 245 Amp Hours.

Bigger is better and a good quality 245AH Gel Cell is over 400 bucks.
If you scored one of those... Awesome!

muzbomb · 10-02-2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

Harris Battery

Ah, Sealed Gel Cell.

Well, not much to go on 'till you see a model number. These batteries have Amp Hour ratings from 0.5 Amp Hours to 245 Amp Hours.

Bigger is better and a good quality 245AH Gel Cell is over 400 bucks.
If you scored one of those... Awesome!

Oh ok ya i am not sure i don't pick the camper up till April/2012. I bought it from RV wholesalers so if anyone has the optional Dry cell battery from there you sell?? But hopefully it is a score!!!! I had to put a bit of a fight up HAHA

ETBarker · 10-06-2011, 06:46 PM

Bought a 2012 Rockwood 2604 from RVWholesalers back in July, with the "upgraded" battery. It's a BlackChrome brand(www.blackchromebattery.com) model BC1275H(12V 75AH).

**Herk7769** · 10-06-2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ETBarker

Bought a 2012 Rockwood 2604 from RVWholesalers back in July, with the "upgraded" battery. It's a BlackChrome brand(www.blackchromebattery.com) model BC1275H(12V 75AH).

I got the "upgraded" battery too.
75AH is considered "upgraded"

&^%&^*%*&^%

muzbomb · 10-06-2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

I got the "upgraded" battery too.
75AH is considered "upgraded"

&^%&^*%*&^%

Why that is not a upgrade?? If not good thing i didn't pay anything for it LOL

acadianbob · 10-06-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzbomb

Why that is not a upgrade?? If not good thing i didn't pay anything for it LOL

I think what Herk was trying to say is that that is not a lot of amperage considering that it is an upgrade. For some perspective, my Trojan Deep Cycle 12 volt is 130 amp hrs. One might expect an upgrade to be around 100 amps. Nobody is being critical; just an observation . . .

**Herk7769** · 10-06-2011, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acadianbob

I think what Herk was trying to say is that that is not a lot of amperage considering that it is an upgrade. For some perspective, my Trojan Deep Cycle 12 volt is 130 amp hrs. One might expect an upgrade to be around 100 amps. Nobody is being critical; just an observation . . .

Yea, what Bob said.

For what I paid for the 75AH "upgrade", I could have tossed the OEM battery and gotten a decent 130AH Trojan. Since the "Options" sheet was not battery specific I had no idea what "upgraded" meant. Was my first camper, and while I thought I had "Done my homework," in many ways I was woefully unprepared.

TURBS · 10-06-2011, 11:44 PM

Block of wood under battery?
ok batteries do not discharge sitting on cement! That is gospel !
I know he didn't say it but what other reason would there be?
also do you bring in your truck battery when its -20 below and your not going to drive it for four or five days? No
I have always left my battery in my camper with the camper plugged into shore power all winter and all summer long.
My 2006 flagstaff had the original battery in it when I traded it in 3 mo. Ago.

ETBarker · 10-07-2011, 05:12 PM

[QUOTE=herk7769;137730]Yea, what Bob said.

For what I paid for the 75AH "upgrade", I could have tossed the OEM battery and gotten a decent 130AH Trojan. Since the "Options" sheet was not battery specific I had no idea what "upgraded" meant. Was my first camper, and while I thought I had "Done my homework," in many ways I was woefully unprepared.[/QUOTE]

Makes me happy to hear you say that, because it describes me to a T!

You may also like: