Forum Discussion

Big_C's avatar
Big_C
Explorer
Oct 15, 2020

Do RV Batteries Freeze in the Winter?

We purchased four 6volt AGM Lifeline GPL-4CT batteries last fall. For twenty years we have driven down to Mexico for the winter. As Canadians we will have to stay home because of the Canada/US border likely remaining closed for a few more months. We have no idea what to do with our batteries. No one is saying that they won't freeze, they might not or they might not.

Here in our area of B.C. it can get down to -30C/-22F for one - two weeks maximum and some years not so cold. We are forecast to have a colder winter this year. What have any of you done here in Canada or the northern US done with your sealed batteries? Should we take them out or leave them in?
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Oct 15, 2020
    TenOC wrote:
    Big C wrote:
    Sadly we will be parked outside in a storage lot with no source for electricity..
    Then store them in a warm place, but not directly on concrete. Why not on concrete, I do not know but have always been told to not store batteries directly on concrete.
    Only reason with a modern battery is you might stain the concrete. Put some wood down if needed.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Oct 15, 2020
    Can an RV deep cycle battery freeze? YES! Per Trojan at https://www.trojanbattery.com/tech-support/faq/#Maintenance

    "The freezing temperature of the electrolyte in a fully charged battery is -92ºF."
  • wopachop's avatar
    wopachop
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2020
    Bummer for sure.
    Looking like 2 choices.
    Borrow/buy a small generator or take the batteries out.
  • Big_C's avatar
    Big_C
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2020
    It sounds like we will have to take out the batteries. We are okay with that but can they not just sit or do they have to be charged with a trickle charger? We plan to put them under the house in the crawl space which is quite warm. Right now it is 34F outside and 59F under the house.
  • mr_andyj's avatar
    mr_andyj
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2020
    Solar would be perfect but not if it snows...

    Take the batteries out and put them on a $12 trickle charger in your garage, or somewhere that is warmer than outside.
    It is a hassle, but your batts will last longer. Right now your situation means that every season you will start with dead useless batteries that you have to take out and replace. Better to take out, keep charged, then put back in. Same number of steps but you do not spend money on new batts every year.
  • TenOC's avatar
    TenOC
    Nomad
    Oct 15, 2020
    Big C wrote:
    Sadly we will be parked outside in a storage lot with no source for electricity..


    Then store them in a warm place, but not directly on concrete. Why not on concrete, I do not know but have always been told to not store batteries directly on concrete.
  • Big_C's avatar
    Big_C
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2020
    Thanks for the quick response. Sadly we will be parked outside in a storage lot with no source for electricity. Even worse our generator was left in Mazatlan ( as it was being repaired ) when we left mid March so can't even use that.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Oct 15, 2020
    Fully charged battery freezes somewhere around -70 and -90 degrees. Best to stay plugged in and charged.
  • TenOC's avatar
    TenOC
    Nomad
    Oct 15, 2020
    They freeze UNLESS fully charged so keep them charged like your car battery.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Oct 15, 2020
    Charged batteries will not freeze. Low or dead batteries will freeze. Unless you can gurantee that the batteries will stay fully charged, I would pull them and install a trickle charger if not inside a heated area. Doug

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