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10-25-2013, 06:15 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Oregon
Posts: 16
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Battery removal A122
Hi I have a simple question and have searched the answer to no avail.
How do I remove my A122 battery for the Winter (take hot connection off before neutral, the other way around or does it not matter?)?
I also heard that I need to keep my battery charged through the Winter, how do I simply do this this (I do not own a trickle charger)?
Thank you!
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10-25-2013, 06:29 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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10-25-2013, 06:44 PM
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#3
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Mostly Harmless
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 835
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford Idaho
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I do it the same way. I use a Battery Tender Jr., rather than a Battery Minder as Ford Idaho does, but I doubt it makes a difference which one. The BT Jr is about $23 on Amazon. The battery is stored in the garage while the BT is connected. Using a BT of some kind all winter keeps the it charged and prevents sulfating, a big killer of lead-acid batteries.
__________________
It's never too late to have a happy childhood!
Lee, WU0V, and Courtenay, N0ZDT
2011 Rockwood A128
2000 Silverado 1500 pickup
60W solar system
2000W inverter generator
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10-25-2013, 06:57 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thehamguy1
I do it the same way. Most auto manuals recommend disconnecting the negative first so that's why I do it that way, though not sure why it would make a difference. I use a Battery Tender Jr., rather than a Battery Minder as Ford Idaho does, but I doubt it makes a difference which one. The BT Jr costs over $30; maybe the BM is more reasonable. The battery is removed from the camper and stored in the garage while the BT Jr. is connected. My battery life has been greatly extended by using my BT Jr. all winter. Keeps the battery fully charged and prevents sulfating, a big killer of lead-acid batteries.
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I bought that because I plan on installing at least one more battery three would be better but real spendy, the battery minder will handle up to four.
__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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10-25-2013, 06:58 PM
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#5
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Mostly Harmless
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 835
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Yeah, I think the BT Jr can handle just the one batt.
__________________
It's never too late to have a happy childhood!
Lee, WU0V, and Courtenay, N0ZDT
2011 Rockwood A128
2000 Silverado 1500 pickup
60W solar system
2000W inverter generator
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10-26-2013, 11:12 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 7
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Perhaps this is a naive newbie question, but I am curious. Is there any downside to simply leaving the camper connected to shore power in the winter in order to keep the battery charged? The only thing I can see is that I won't get the de-sulfating benefit.
Similarly, I am considering leaving it set up in my driveway for use as a guest room in the winter. It's already winterized, so no worries about freezing. It can snow a bit here, but it doesn't appear that snow load should be an issue, between the pitch of the roof and the structural design. Any opinions or experience with this?
__________________
Dan Kucera
KDØWJO
2014 Rockwood A122S
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser
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10-26-2013, 11:17 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MountainGoat
Perhaps this is a naive newbie question, but I am curious. Is there any downside to simply leaving the camper connected to shore power in the winter in order to keep the battery charged? The only thing I can see is that I won't get the de-sulfating benefit.
Similarly, I am considering leaving it set up in my driveway for use as a guest room in the winter. It's already winterized, so no worries about freezing. It can snow a bit here, but it doesn't appear that snow load should be an issue, between the pitch of the roof and the structural design. Any opinions or experience with this?
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Not yet!
The old camper I had never leaked any that I could find.
This is my first winter with this trailer so I will keep a sharp eye out for leaks and then take it to the dealer if need be.
__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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10-30-2013, 06:19 AM
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#8
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Newbee
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 6
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The reason that the neg should be DCed first.... If in the process of disconnecting the first post, the wrench should touch a metal surface - the surface would be naturally be grounded. A circuit through the wrench ground (at the neg post) to ground (on camper metal) would cause no arc... Conversely, a circuit through the wrench POSITIVE (at the battery positive post) to ground ( camper body metal) would result in a dead short acctroo the full battery!!! Over a hundred amps!!! Severe burns when the arc flash occurred... Burns from the red hot wrench... Possible acid burns from an exploding battery!!! Yup, I would disco the neg first!!!
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10-30-2013, 10:00 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,770
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Welcome to the forum, BuckeyeJeeper.
Let me add that when disconnecting a battery, make sure to move the wire away from the terminal so it can't fall back on it and inadvertently reestablish the connection. That can lead to an unpleasantly negative surprise.
__________________
Tom
2012 Rockwood A122S
2008 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4X4
Former owner of a 2002 Coleman Niagara GTE
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11-01-2013, 08:51 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Oregon
Posts: 16
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Thank you for the replies. I just took the battery off of the trailer without a problem. When connecting it up again in Spring should I connect the positive side first?
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11-01-2013, 08:59 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Oregon
Posts: 16
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Btw do you leave the refrigerator door open when closing the a-frame up for the Winter? I am concerned about mold and moisture.
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11-01-2013, 12:08 PM
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#12
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Mostly Harmless
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 835
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Yes, and all the cabinet doors and interior access hatches are propped slightly open too.
__________________
It's never too late to have a happy childhood!
Lee, WU0V, and Courtenay, N0ZDT
2011 Rockwood A128
2000 Silverado 1500 pickup
60W solar system
2000W inverter generator
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11-01-2013, 09:52 PM
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#13
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Newbee
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 6
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Yes... Neg post disconnected first, neg post reconnected last!!!
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11-01-2013, 11:37 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,916
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Another newbie here. I feel by leaving the shore power connect it puts extra "miles" on the inverter/converter/charger. I plan to remove my battery and store "off trailer".
Ps:goes without saying, but be sure to disconnect and keep disconnected the shore power when removing the battery.
__________________
2017 Puma 297RLSS
2005 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel SMOKER!!
I love puns, irony and tasteless jokes...
born in Texas.... live in Arkansas 
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11-02-2013, 07:30 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: X
Posts: 2,781
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There are some interesting threads here about how the WFCO Converters don't go into float mode and will boil your battery dry. Upgrade to a Progressive Dynamics or keep a close eye on them.
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11-02-2013, 12:53 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ottawa Ontario Canada
Posts: 930
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I definately would not keep my batteries charged with the converter .. not sure about the problems of the converter .. i just wouldnt.
I leave my batteries in the same box .. mounted on the tounge of the trailer .. and every once in a while i will check them with a volt meter to see how they are doing. Through our 6 month winter i have never seen any fluctuation .. however the battries are disconnected at source ...
just my .02
d-mo
__________________
2008 Nissan Frontier 4x4
2011 Rockwood A122
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11-03-2013, 08:25 AM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 26
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I am a newbie as well. My question is, if I just remove the inline fuse at the battery do I still need to disconnect the battery? I keep my A-frame in the garage instead of outside, do I still need to winterize my camper?
Cheers,
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11-03-2013, 08:37 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: X
Posts: 2,781
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I would think you're more likely to damage something while removing that fuse than just disconnecting (the negative post of) the battery.
If it gets below freezing in your garage then you need to winterize. Very simple.
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11-03-2013, 08:55 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Milford, MA
Posts: 445
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I just remove the primary fuse, have been for last 3 seasons and at the end of each trip. Eventually I'll install my marine type battery switch, just haven't gotten around to it.
__________________
2011 A-122
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11-03-2013, 09:03 AM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 26
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Thanks for the info. I am heading out this weekend for Stone Mountain. I will have to read up on winterizing when I return.
Cheers,
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