Storing battery in a Canadian winter
Hello. I am putting my RV into covered storage this weekend. Sad but true. I am thinking I should bring my batteries home so that I can trickle charge them once a month. I have 2 12V and one 8D ba...
Forum Discussion
Having lost two sets of batteries in the winters in my last MH I understand your concerns.
I my case I have always left my MH plugged in beside my house. MY first two MHs had no problems. My 3rd MH was the issue.
I didn't realize it but there was a problem with BIRD and the batteries did not charge while plugged in, only when running or on the generator - that was the 1st winter.
Replaced the batteries in the spring and added an Ampl-charge (about the same as a trickle charger) and things worked fine and the chassis batteries always stayed charged. Three years later I had to have body work done late fall.
I had already winterized the MH including topping up the batteries etc. When I got the MH back it was bitter cold and I never checked them again. Found out later that the shop had disconnected the Ampl-Charge and I lost the batteries again (they denied doing this of course but someone had unscrewed the nut, removed the wire and then put the nut back on).
This will be my first winter with my current MH and I plan just to leave it plugged in and allow the converter/charger to do its job, but I will be checking them on a very regular basis!
Many people do charge and then disconnect their batteries and it works. Others maintain a trickle charge but due to the hydrogen gas it needs ventilation.
Bottom line, if it is fully charged it won't freeze. If you have any phantom draws (leaving it in your MH) you'll need to have some sort of trickle charger.
So in your case your shed sounds like the best option.
Chris
P.S. Regarding your sensors I would take them off and store them at home.
I my case I have always left my MH plugged in beside my house. MY first two MHs had no problems. My 3rd MH was the issue.
I didn't realize it but there was a problem with BIRD and the batteries did not charge while plugged in, only when running or on the generator - that was the 1st winter.
Replaced the batteries in the spring and added an Ampl-charge (about the same as a trickle charger) and things worked fine and the chassis batteries always stayed charged. Three years later I had to have body work done late fall.
I had already winterized the MH including topping up the batteries etc. When I got the MH back it was bitter cold and I never checked them again. Found out later that the shop had disconnected the Ampl-Charge and I lost the batteries again (they denied doing this of course but someone had unscrewed the nut, removed the wire and then put the nut back on).
This will be my first winter with my current MH and I plan just to leave it plugged in and allow the converter/charger to do its job, but I will be checking them on a very regular basis!
Many people do charge and then disconnect their batteries and it works. Others maintain a trickle charge but due to the hydrogen gas it needs ventilation.
Bottom line, if it is fully charged it won't freeze. If you have any phantom draws (leaving it in your MH) you'll need to have some sort of trickle charger.
So in your case your shed sounds like the best option.
Chris
P.S. Regarding your sensors I would take them off and store them at home.
