Forum Discussion

flyboy4533's avatar
flyboy4533
Explorer
Nov 17, 2013

Keep batteries on charge over winter?

We have a 1997 Winnie Brave 31RQ. What is the best thing to do with the batteries over the winter? I have a Battery Tender installed and always connected to the vehicle's battery over the winter which seems to work out fine. In the past I've always kept the house batteries installed and on charge with the house's built-in battery charger/converter. I'm in northern NJ where the temp gets down to 15 - 20 degrees during the winter months. Just wondering what other RV owners are doing. Thanks
Class A
  • ocean_bound's avatar
    ocean_bound
    Explorer II
    Nov 18, 2013
    I pull mine out and put in basement and charge once a month have house batt for 8 years and still going
  • hershey's avatar
    hershey
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2013
    smkettner wrote:
    Lead/acid batteries prefer to be at 100% charge for longest life.
    Fully charged battery will not freeze.
    Solar keeps mine charged all year.

    I guess I could argue that statement...not that it matters :)
    I had a '57 Ford in storage that didn't get started and run but twice a year for the last 8 years. I never had a trickle charge or solar on it, and it always started for me. Finally a couple years ago it failed...took it to the AutoZone where I bought it and they couldn't believe it....it was 13 years old. They thought that it was a local record.
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    Nov 18, 2013
    If battery tender has desulphation and a float function, it's perfect. We use a battery minder.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Nov 17, 2013
    Lead/acid batteries prefer to be at 100% charge for longest life.
    Fully charged battery will not freeze.
    Solar keeps mine charged all year.
  • pugslyyy's avatar
    pugslyyy
    Explorer
    Nov 17, 2013
    You need to determine whether your battery tender is intended for use in long term storage. Some are, some aren't.

    I leave mine plugged in, but I have a temperature compensating 4 stage charger that I know won't overcharge my house batteries.

    I have my starting batteries out of the truck right now on a float charger, but will put them back in soon (cleaning up the battery box) and just start it every so often during the winter.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Nov 17, 2013
    Welcome, but you posted this question in the wrong forum. I have asked the moderator to move it for you.
    Please search using the function at the top of the page. This is a very common question that has been answered several times.

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