Cold weather and batteries. Pull them inside?

A fully charged RV battery disconnected and removed from RV will STILL discharge over a period of time. Placing the battery on a maintainer will overall provide a longer lasting battery.

IlBill,

Unless the battery tender has a temperature probe, it may as well not be used. For example, charging voltage at -40 is 17.2 volts.

ILBill wrote:
I take mine to a my unheated garage and put a Battery Tender jr.on them.
Do the same with my boat, motorcycle, and sports car.
Seems to work well for me!

Bill

That's what I do, except it's a heated garage and a Battery Tender, not the Jr. Been working fine for many years.

I take mine to a my unheated garage and put a Battery Tender jr.on them.
Do the same with my boat, motorcycle, and sports car.
Seems to work well for me!

Bill

pianotuna wrote:
if you disconnect them there is no need to recharge them. If you want to--plug in for 24 hours once per month.

CORRECT ! Actually better than leaving them on a "maintainer" continuously.

Watch the water levels though. I've been bringing mine into the garage for years and placing them on a trickle charger then about every couple of months I equalize them. So I am interested in this post, looks like I am guilty of overkill --- again.
Bill

I take mine in my insulated/heated garage during extreme months, and give a maintenance charge when needed. I have a smart converter, so really could just leave on board, with no issue. I am plugged in at home 24/7 most of the year, when not using. I just see no need to keep other small battery drain items going all Winter, that cannot be disconnected.

Jerry

if you disconnect them there is no need to recharge them. If you want to--plug in for 24 hours one per month.

If you are plugged in and charge system is working... your battery is fine in all conditions.

Other than performance, cold is good for a battery. A fully charged lead-acid battery freezes around -90F. Cold temperature reduces self discharge. Fully charged and disconnected from all loads they will probably be fine over the winter even with no charging.

I rotate a small NOCO charger through all of my unused equipment during the winter to ensure it stays topped up. I just move it to the next battery on Sunday evenings.

The factory converter may result in water use during prolonged charging, so sure to check the cells occasionally if you rely on it.