I've never had to store my RV before so I've always had access to electrical power for it. But on the occasion where I have let it sit for a month or so without being plugged in usually my chassis batteries go dead and the house batteries get weak. To the question, I'm going to need to store my motorhome at an indoor facility I found, but they have no electrical to the units. So what's the best way to make sure I don't have dead batteries every time I go to use the motorhome? I have a disconnect switch for the house batteries and it seems to work well, but there is no similar switch for the chassis batteries. Is there an easy way to hook up a disconnect switch for the chassis battery or is it just as easy to remove the cables? With the cables removed should the batteries keep their charge for one to two months? I likely won't go that long between uses, but you never know.

For about $10 you can buy a battery disconnect switch which connects to the battery post and you then connect the existing battery cable to the switch - easy peasy. Disconnecting the cable also works.

take the negative battery cable loose on each bank. But the battery has to be fully charge and in good shape. I have started pulling mine and take home and charge every month.

ksg5000 wrote:For about $10 you can buy a battery disconnect switch which connects to the battery post and you then connect the existing battery cable to the switch - easy peasy. Disconnecting the cable also works.Didn't know it was that easy. I'll look for one of those.

MountainAir05 wrote:take the negative battery cable loose on each bank. But the battery has to be fully charge and in good shape. I have started pulling mine and take home and charge every month.The Chassis batteries on a DP weigh about 600 pounds each!! Okay, they aren't that heavy, but for an old guy like me they sure as heck feel that heavy when trying to lift them. I'm going to guess close to 100 pounds. So taking them home isn't an option for me.

They sell small solar panels that plug into your cig lighter. This will keep the batts trickle charged. They work good. Also battery minder sells a desulphator with a panel that works great.

Storage and Batteries | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

ksg5000
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2014
msmith1199 wrote:
Nevermind, I see what an ECU is. What are the dangers of it losing it's memory?

When ECU loses it's memory vehicle performance is impaired for a short time while the ECU relearns - minor inconvenience and some won't even notice the difference.
Pass42
Explorer
Oct 29, 2014
I store my DP with the chassis battery negative disconnected... reconnect, start the engine and drive away.... no issues........
redguard
Explorer
Oct 29, 2014
msmith1199 wrote:
I've never had to store my RV before so I've always had access to electrical power for it. But on the occasion where I have let it sit for a month or so without being plugged in usually my chassis batteries go dead and the house batteries get weak.

To the question, I'm going to need to store my motorhome at an indoor facility I found, but they have no electrical to the units. So what's the best way to make sure I don't have dead batteries every time I go to use the motorhome? I have a disconnect switch for the house batteries and it seems to work well, but there is no similar switch for the chassis batteries. Is there an easy way to hook up a disconnect switch for the chassis battery or is it just as easy to remove the cables? With the cables removed should the batteries keep their charge for one to two months? I likely won't go that long between uses, but you never know.

Assuming your house and chassis batterys are fully charged and in good(decent) shape remove the negative posts and they will not(should not) be dead even at a year or so.Six months will be an assured no brainer
The ECU will not be effected at all. Upon hooking up batterys and after a short drive it will relearn all required settings and thats a FACT
Ivylog
Explorer III
Oct 29, 2014
Do not wast your money on the above as I put one on my boat BUT it does not always disconnect. Buy a knife switch as there is no doubt when it 'a disconnected.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Oct 29, 2014
You can find this type of battery disconnect at any auto parts store.

Napaonline.com

Once installed, then just loosen the green knob and it will totally disconnect the battery from the ground.

Fred.
msmith1199
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2014
Nevermind, I see what an ECU is. What are the dangers of it losing it's memory?
msmith1199
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2014
gemert wrote:
If you disconnect the chassis power your ECU will not be able to retain it's settings. Not sure how big a deal that will be. Maybe some drive-ability concerns when you get on the road again.

What's an ECU and what does it do?
msmith1199
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2014
I just went and looked and no sign of an existing disconnect switch. The cables from both batteries run back into the frame and then who knows where from there.
gemert
Explorer
Oct 29, 2014
If you disconnect the chassis power your ECU will not be able to retain it's settings. Not sure how big a deal that will be. Maybe some drive-ability concerns when you get on the road again.
msmith1199
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2014
Ivylog wrote:
ksg5000 wrote:
For about $10 you can buy a battery disconnect switch which connects to the battery post.

A $10 switch is not up to the 1000+ amps that your Cat needs to start. It is capable of disconnecting the smaller wire that powers the loads that drain your battery. Are you sure you do not have a switch near your engine batteries?

I've never seen one. Is that something that is common?

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Storage and Batteries

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