Forum Discussion

drillagent's avatar
drillagent
Explorer
Sep 13, 2014

Should I take the battery home?

So the storage location is on the other side of town, and they have no electrical hookup. I make sure to hit the battery disconnect each time I come back from camping. The question is, should I take the battery home with me every time I come back and keep it on a charger, or is it fine where it is? Should I leave it on a charger, or just charge it periodically? I'm also going to assume that when I winterize the 5er, I should definitely take the battery home so the cells don't freeze. Am I being overly cautious?

7 Replies

  • wbwood's avatar
    wbwood
    Explorer
    Sep 15, 2014
    Where is the battery located on your unit? Is it easily accessible where someone can steal it? If so, I would take it with me and keep it at home. No need to charge it if you camp at least once a month. Would kind of suck if you go get it to camp and the battery is gone.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator III
    Sep 14, 2014
    You can leave them where they are if you're disconnecting them and they are fully charged.
    Personally I bring mine home from storage and leave them on a maintainer in the garage until I need them again.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Sep 14, 2014
    First BEFORE YOU DISCONNECT get some markers or pain or tape or Split Loom (that ribbed plastic tube with a slot down its' side.. RED and Black. Even the plastic tags from bread loaves will do.

    Red on the Positive wires
    Black on the negative

    Then PHOTOGRAPH

    Then IN-Season: leave batteries in RV

    WINTER (off-season) bring it home and attach Battery minder.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Sep 14, 2014
    When a battery is 101% charged and disconnected from loads, a mere 15 watts of REGULATED solar panel maintenance charge would be enough. 13.6 volts float is a not unreasonable float voltage value, but not one tenth of a volt higher.

    Does anyone even make such a critter?
  • doughere's avatar
    doughere
    Explorer
    Sep 14, 2014
    I'd second pianotuna on a small solar panel and just leave it.

    If not; for less than 2 months, I'd just leave it disconnected, over 2 months I'd take it home and keep on a maintainer. For winter I'd take it home, keep on a maintainer.

    Doug
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Sep 13, 2014
    Hi,

    I would add a modest solar system and leave the battery with the RV.
  • Bionic_Man's avatar
    Bionic_Man
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2014
    Take it home when you de-summerize. Leave it in otherwise. Your truck will charge the battery as you are going down the road, so if you have a newer battery you should be fine when you get to camp.

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