Trojan T-105 Storage
What is the best scheme for my T-105 batteries when I'm not using my motor home for 3-4 months? Will battery longevity be better if they are floated continuously at 13.5 volts for the pair, or should...
Forum Discussion
I wouldn't hesitate to store a battery at -20F if the origin of the power to operate the maintainer is high guarantee of operation like no brown or blackouts in several years.
Cold electrolyte can get to the point where it will allow a mere ten percent of the activity as compared to the same battery at 20c.
Many folks believe that in polar regions they keep engines running because cold oil would freeze an engine dead. Frigid oil will not lubricate but IT'S THE TEN TIMES THE BATTERY NEEDED THAT TURNS 500 CCA into 50 CCA THAT'S THE CORKER.
They have lube that will flow at -70F now. Synthetic at around fifty dollars a quart. But the battery issue is a challenge as well as the weakening of tensile strength of metals when temperatures get ridiculously frigid. Titanium anyone $$$$$$$$$$$$ ???
I did a CCA check on fully charged NEW Caterpillar 8-D batteries when it was -39F at Bridgeport around 40 years ago. The CCA was less than 300 amperes each.
Well that's winter. But to prolong life in a battery year-round colder rather than warmer temperatures is a major player. The batteries in my Rolls bank rejoiced in tropical 1.260 blend electrolyte and had .300" plate thickness to sacrifice. Year-round ave temp of near 80F. Extreme cold will aid a battery to stratify the acid faster than a warm battery. But the same cold temperature will reduce plate erosion by 50% or more. No free lunches.
The zinger with cold temps is the possibility of losing the grid and having the bank sit for four months. But weather like that happens above the arctic circle. When batteries had a destination of Pt Barrow. or the south Pole they had 1.300 polar blend electrolyte.
there is always loss at extreme temperatures. And the reduction differential between say 0F and -30F is not worth it realistically in battery life gains so battery maintenance chargers do not encourage age degradation and actually help stir electrolyte or more correctly slows down thermal stratification under extreme thermal conditions.
I've seen stored batteries that have gone a few years at polar conditions. The top inch or so lost density and froze solid and destroyed the battery,
But hauling the batteries from the rig to a cozy place on the hearth isn't doing them any favors.
Simple isolation from any possibility of accidental discharging, and a battery maintenance charger that has temperature compensation seems to be the smartest choice.
Cold electrolyte can get to the point where it will allow a mere ten percent of the activity as compared to the same battery at 20c.
Many folks believe that in polar regions they keep engines running because cold oil would freeze an engine dead. Frigid oil will not lubricate but IT'S THE TEN TIMES THE BATTERY NEEDED THAT TURNS 500 CCA into 50 CCA THAT'S THE CORKER.
They have lube that will flow at -70F now. Synthetic at around fifty dollars a quart. But the battery issue is a challenge as well as the weakening of tensile strength of metals when temperatures get ridiculously frigid. Titanium anyone $$$$$$$$$$$$ ???
I did a CCA check on fully charged NEW Caterpillar 8-D batteries when it was -39F at Bridgeport around 40 years ago. The CCA was less than 300 amperes each.
Well that's winter. But to prolong life in a battery year-round colder rather than warmer temperatures is a major player. The batteries in my Rolls bank rejoiced in tropical 1.260 blend electrolyte and had .300" plate thickness to sacrifice. Year-round ave temp of near 80F. Extreme cold will aid a battery to stratify the acid faster than a warm battery. But the same cold temperature will reduce plate erosion by 50% or more. No free lunches.
The zinger with cold temps is the possibility of losing the grid and having the bank sit for four months. But weather like that happens above the arctic circle. When batteries had a destination of Pt Barrow. or the south Pole they had 1.300 polar blend electrolyte.
there is always loss at extreme temperatures. And the reduction differential between say 0F and -30F is not worth it realistically in battery life gains so battery maintenance chargers do not encourage age degradation and actually help stir electrolyte or more correctly slows down thermal stratification under extreme thermal conditions.
I've seen stored batteries that have gone a few years at polar conditions. The top inch or so lost density and froze solid and destroyed the battery,
But hauling the batteries from the rig to a cozy place on the hearth isn't doing them any favors.
Simple isolation from any possibility of accidental discharging, and a battery maintenance charger that has temperature compensation seems to be the smartest choice.
