Forum Discussion

JRS___B's avatar
JRS___B
Explorer
Apr 28, 2015

What battery tolerates winter storage best?

We are snowbirds, but are about one month away from becoming sunbirds.

For several years I have had the original single deep cycle battery in our 36 foot fiver. No boondocking, just FHU RV parks. I flipped the battery switch off and that same old battery sat all summer with no maintenance charge. Yet it still works fine, but I will replace it because it certainly is time.

The future change in usage is that instead of being stored for 6 months in the summer, it will be stored for 9 months, including winter in Michigan.

My question is, should I just buy the same thing I have since this type battery has served me well, or should I be looking for an ungrade? I do not want to put in a new battery and find it will not accept a charge after sitting all winter in the cold, or maybe boil over because it is so dead.

Since I only need one battery, the cost is not a real concern.
  • Coach-man's avatar
    Coach-man
    Explorer
    Apr 30, 2015
    newk wrote:
    Coach-man wrote:
    ...If it is cold enough the battery can freeze, crack cells, and warp plates! At very least keep the battery compartment at least 32 degrees to prevent freezing.


    :S You must have never left Florida. I live in Wyoming. We've had many winter days at -30 (MINUS!), and I've never had a battery freeze. I take that back. Once, when driving across South Dakota with temps of -30 to -40, the alternator quit. As a result the battery went dead and froze. I also lived in Alaska for a few years. No problems with batteries.


    Did you not see my second post?
  • Charlie_D_'s avatar
    Charlie_D_
    Explorer
    Apr 30, 2015
    tplife wrote:
    AGM. AGM. AGM. AGM. Charleie D is mistaken, AGM batteries are designed as direct replacements for old-school wet-cell technology. And AGM cells are NOT gel cells!!! Do a search of these posts, or better yet some AGM research, and you'll find out why you get more value for your money. And all the other advantages are frosting on the cake.


    I am certainly no battery expert and you can draw your on conclusions and perhaps my statement about being aware of AGM batteries is wrong but I quoted the exact statement written on the side of my pin box.

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