We normally keep our trailer plugged into 115v power at our storage facility, however we will now be losing power for anywhere up to 9 months.. Question (1). If I install a battery disconnect switch on batteries, how long can I expect the 2 year old batteries to remain usable for towing before requiring recharging? Question (2) If I decide to take a portable generator to the trailer every so often, and plug it into trailer to let the converter maintain the batteries, how big of generator should I use? I have access to both a 1000w Honda generator and a 2000 watt Yamaha generator. Comments or Opinions..

Temps 50-90F three to four months 30-60 six months 0-40 eight months A generator is neat for maintenance, turning lights on, vacuuming and dusting. If the batteries somehow are low a 1,000 watt may be too small and stall out.

Since you don't say what type battery you have, I can only assume it is a flooded cell lead-acid battery. Such batteries require being fully charged at least once a month lest they slowly die all by themselves. If you are storing the RV for 9 months where there is no power, you would be best served by removing the battery, taking it home, and either putting it on a battery charger once a month, or using one of those battery minder devices. This would be both a LOT cheaper and much less hassle than making periodic excursions with a generator. Just my humble opinion.

naturist wrote:Since you don't say what type battery you have, I can only assume it is a flooded cell lead-acid battery. Such batteries require being fully charged at least once a month lest they slowly die all by themselves. If you are storing the RV for 9 months where there is no power, you would be best served by removing the battery, taking it home, and either putting it on a battery charger once a month, or using one of those battery minder devices. This would be both a LOT cheaper and much less hassle than making periodic excursions with a generator. Just my humble opinion.the batteries are lead/acid...and the trailer will towed and used at least monthly during the next 9 months..

Generators are not good at maintaining/floating batteries, they are more suitable for running 110V loads or charging batteries. Preferably, charging ~100% each time - which job generators are not good at either, may take many hours. If you can't do 100% most of the time, you'll have to equalize them once a month or so, unless you are prepared to throw them out in a year or two. 1000W is enough for 2*100AH batteries, provided you have an adequate converter or charger. OEM converters in most trailers are cr-ap.

With a disconect you should be ok, as long as where you go has power to charge. You can always jump them for a bit with the genny or your tv if you cant make it out. Qhen towing it will get a small charge from the tv also. Not enough to top them off but enough to enguage the breking feature. I wouldn't worry about it.

Battery Question.. | Good Sam Community

Almot
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2021
SJ-Chris wrote:

If it is outdoor where there is sunshine often, then a simple solar trickle charger (<$50) should keep your batteries topped off.

-Chris

Possibly. Depends on how deep they discharge it since they will be using it at least once a month. Might need to run generator for half an hour after the trip and then leave small solar to do the job. Or put 100 solar permanently on roof and let it do all the job, 3 weeks should be enough time.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2021
9 Months is a long time even with the negative lead off the battery
i'd feed it monthly (reconnect the lead)

How big? What converter do you have I'm mostly interested in the last two digits.

A Progressive dynamics 9260 should work with a Honda 1000 if you shut off all other breakers (or if it a 9260P plug directly into the Honda 1000 with an adapter if needed) anything bigger will take the 2KW version.. I'd likely take the 2000 Fuel use will be about the same with the smaller Converter
SJ-Chris
Explorer II
Feb 26, 2021
DD716TED wrote:
We normally keep our trailer plugged into 115v power at our storage facility, however we will now be losing power for anywhere up to 9 months.. Question (1). If I install a battery disconnect switch on batteries, how long can I expect the 2 year old batteries to remain usable for towing before requiring recharging? Question (2) If I decide to take a portable generator to the trailer every so often, and plug it into trailer to let the converter maintain the batteries, how big of generator should I use? I have access to both a 1000w Honda generator and a 2000 watt Yamaha generator. Comments or Opinions..

If it is outdoor where there is sunshine often, then a simple solar trickle charger (<$50) should keep your batteries topped off.

-Chris
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2021
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Temps 50-90F three to four months
30-60 six months
0-40 eight months

A generator is neat for maintenance, turning lights on, vacuuming and dusting. If the batteries somehow are low a 1,000 watt may be too small and stall out.

X2
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Feb 26, 2021
A 100 watt solar panel and a controller would be SO MUCH EASIER.
Sjm9911
Explorer
Feb 26, 2021
With a disconect you should be ok, as long as where you go has power to charge. You can always jump them for a bit with the genny or your tv if you cant make it out. Qhen towing it will get a small charge from the tv also. Not enough to top them off but enough to enguage the breking feature. I wouldn't worry about it.
Almot
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2021
Generators are not good at maintaining/floating batteries, they are more suitable for running 110V loads or charging batteries. Preferably, charging ~100% each time - which job generators are not good at either, may take many hours. If you can't do 100% most of the time, you'll have to equalize them once a month or so, unless you are prepared to throw them out in a year or two.

1000W is enough for 2*100AH batteries, provided you have an adequate converter or charger. OEM converters in most trailers are cr-ap.
DD716TED
Explorer
Feb 26, 2021
naturist wrote:
Since you don't say what type battery you have, I can only assume it is a flooded cell lead-acid battery. Such batteries require being fully charged at least once a month lest they slowly die all by themselves. If you are storing the RV for 9 months where there is no power, you would be best served by removing the battery, taking it home, and either putting it on a battery charger once a month, or using one of those battery minder devices. This would be both a LOT cheaper and much less hassle than making periodic excursions with a generator. Just my humble opinion.

the batteries are lead/acid...and the trailer will towed and used at least monthly during the next 9 months..
naturist
Nomad
Feb 26, 2021
Since you don't say what type battery you have, I can only assume it is a flooded cell lead-acid battery. Such batteries require being fully charged at least once a month lest they slowly die all by themselves. If you are storing the RV for 9 months where there is no power, you would be best served by removing the battery, taking it home, and either putting it on a battery charger once a month, or using one of those battery minder devices. This would be both a LOT cheaper and much less hassle than making periodic excursions with a generator. Just my humble opinion.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Feb 26, 2021
Temps 50-90F three to four months
30-60 six months
0-40 eight months

A generator is neat for maintenance, turning lights on, vacuuming and dusting. If the batteries somehow are low a 1,000 watt may be too small and stall out.

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