Battery in Michigan winter ?
Just picked up our new 5th wheel. Was wondering what to do with the battery for the winter? Should I remove the battery from the coach and keep inside till spring? Thanks for your responce
Forum Discussion
Nothing like actually testing theory: :)
A floor that is + 40F and air that is 70F encourages stratification of electrolyte. This is anything but a black and white issue. The stratification is much amplified when tall batteries are involved. But place a car jar battery in such an environment for four months and stratification will be enough to "matter". The cure is absurdly easy so this shouldn't even be an issue.
Battery type and age enters into the self-discharge picture. High antimony batteries will self discharge about 150% the rate of car jar batteries. Calcium calcium starting batteries will discharge at less than 1% per month at -20F
Old batteries near death can discharge 20%+ per month. This is due to the nemesis of negative plate antimonial contamination.
There is nothing wrong with using a maintenance charging source. However if a lot of money, time and hassle is involved just to maintain batteries for a few cold months then common sense dictates the issue should be analyzed. A decision can be skewed by the additional need to maintain batteries in warmer weather due to infrequent use.
A floor that is + 40F and air that is 70F encourages stratification of electrolyte. This is anything but a black and white issue. The stratification is much amplified when tall batteries are involved. But place a car jar battery in such an environment for four months and stratification will be enough to "matter". The cure is absurdly easy so this shouldn't even be an issue.
Battery type and age enters into the self-discharge picture. High antimony batteries will self discharge about 150% the rate of car jar batteries. Calcium calcium starting batteries will discharge at less than 1% per month at -20F
Old batteries near death can discharge 20%+ per month. This is due to the nemesis of negative plate antimonial contamination.
There is nothing wrong with using a maintenance charging source. However if a lot of money, time and hassle is involved just to maintain batteries for a few cold months then common sense dictates the issue should be analyzed. A decision can be skewed by the additional need to maintain batteries in warmer weather due to infrequent use.
