best method for maintaining batteries
I just got a new house battery, (flooded wet cell)to replace the old tired one. I want to get the most life out of it. What is best for keeping it maintained while sitting for extended periods? I have...
Forum Discussion
OK, quite a few "paths" that can be taken.
1) disconnect house batteries from RV and solar, FLA batteries can sit for many months without needing to be recharged due to self discharging. FLAs can easily stored for 6 months or even up to a year without need for charging as long as they are completely disconnected from your RVs electrical system.
2) Disconnect house batteries from RV but leave solar connected but you will need a controller that is able to drop to a storage mode voltage of 13.2V. At 13.2V the batteries will be maintained enough to cover the self discharge rate but not to high of a voltage to use a lot of water.
3) Leave all connected but only solar charge.. Once again, charge controller needs to have a 13.2V storage voltage but, phantom draws from fridge, water heater, stereo devices may not allow the charge controller drop into storage mode voltage.
4) Leave all connected plus solar and converter.. see comment number three.. The converter used in many RVs often have a difficult time dropping to a storage voltage of 13.2V due to high of phantom loads draw.
While you can store a battery with a charging voltage higher like 13.4 or 13.6, it tends to boil the batteries dry which means you will need to check and fill the batteries often or risk them going dry.
1) disconnect house batteries from RV and solar, FLA batteries can sit for many months without needing to be recharged due to self discharging. FLAs can easily stored for 6 months or even up to a year without need for charging as long as they are completely disconnected from your RVs electrical system.
2) Disconnect house batteries from RV but leave solar connected but you will need a controller that is able to drop to a storage mode voltage of 13.2V. At 13.2V the batteries will be maintained enough to cover the self discharge rate but not to high of a voltage to use a lot of water.
3) Leave all connected but only solar charge.. Once again, charge controller needs to have a 13.2V storage voltage but, phantom draws from fridge, water heater, stereo devices may not allow the charge controller drop into storage mode voltage.
4) Leave all connected plus solar and converter.. see comment number three.. The converter used in many RVs often have a difficult time dropping to a storage voltage of 13.2V due to high of phantom loads draw.
While you can store a battery with a charging voltage higher like 13.4 or 13.6, it tends to boil the batteries dry which means you will need to check and fill the batteries often or risk them going dry.
