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Cooncatz's avatar
Cooncatz
Explorer
Jan 21, 2016

Winter Battery maintenance?

I have just purchased a 1998 Class C. I live in Maine and have parked the rig in the yard for the winter. Do I need to disconnect the battery or start the engine every couple of weeks and run it until it warms up? same question for the generator?
thanks
  • Depends. Depends if the coach is completely dead or there are parasite draws like CO2 alarms, clocks, vehicle computer,little things that add up.

    Disconnect the battery completely & it can be left without issue for at least a month. Type of battery & age of it will have some bearing on how long it will hold charge.
  • I have mine plugged in outside with a battery maintainer installed.
  • Can't afford to let my AGM batteries rot on the Harley or the RV Power Supply, each gets its own Schumacher Float Charger from WallyWorld.
  • I have a generator, so go over about once a month and start generator and let it run for about 3 hours. Generator needs to exercise, and keeps batteries up. I also turn the battery disconnect off when generator is not running.
  • Make sure the water level is correct, fully charge them and disconnect, come back in the spring. If they were good when you disconnect them they'll be fine once it warms up a bit. I used to put the trickle charger on about once a month just to make sure they stayed fully charged.

    Think I'd just leave the genny till spring as is, worry about it when it warms up.
  • tplife wrote:
    Can't afford to let my AGM batteries rot on the Harley or the RV Power Supply, each gets its own Schumacher Float Charger from WallyWorld.


    I would not take the risk of trusting my very expensive AGM to a charger.

    My 4D AGM gets disconnected in early November & sits untouched till early April. An AGM does not self discharge anywhere near as fast as a wet cell.

    Saw a case where a boater had 4 8D batterys aboard. Left them on the multi stage charger. Charger malfunctioned & cooked them. At the better part of $800 each, OUCH!
  • Winterize the fresh water system.
    Put it away hot and let it sit until next use.
    Battery needs a full charge and disconnect a cable.
    Or leave it plugged in and the battery will be fine.