New guy here and new to travel trailers... so my new to me travel trailer came with dual 6v batteries in series so 12v... im on a very tight budget being on a fixed income, what would be the best way to keep my batteries charged... my trailer is stored in a pasture and I do not have access to plug it in ti keep them charged.... should I bring them home and get a 12v charger like at harbor freight, do I just get a trickle charger, or whats the cheapest solar panel set up that would work and counld be left on all the time while camper is stored... thank you!

I'd say depending on where you're located in the States, 100 watts solar minimum, with controller & batteries fully charged from the start. Which then also would be useful when dry-camping.Otherwise, get a portable "Smart" battery charger & keep them at home when not in use.And, read THIS

Be cheaper to bring them hoje and trickle charge. Be sure and read the reviews if you buy a charger from Harbor Freight. My HF charger worked great until one day when it went crazey and melted my power cord self destructing before my eyes.

Here is a reasonably priced Renogy 100w Solar with Controller that will meet the need of keeping the batteries topped off

Another alternative - charge your batteries and then disconnect the negative terminal which should eliminate any phantom draws and keep your batteries closer to the full charge status. Same tactic that many use when they store the rigs during winter.

If your trailer does not have a disconnect switch then either add one or disconnect negative cable to stop drain and use one of the many solar chargers to keep topped off.. it is a pain to install and remove batteries every time you want to go out, so I would avoid that if possible. If you are not able to get solar charger, then at least disconnect batteries when not in use to avoid the discharging from the trailer...

battery charging questions | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

ksg5000
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
Another alternative - charge your batteries and then disconnect the negative terminal which should eliminate any phantom draws and keep your batteries closer to the full charge status. Same tactic that many use when they store the rigs during winter.
4aSong
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
Here is a reasonably priced Renogy 100w Solar with Controller that will meet the need of keeping the batteries topped off
Oasisbob
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
Be cheaper to bring them hoje and trickle charge. Be sure and read the reviews if you buy a charger from Harbor Freight. My HF charger worked great until one day when it went crazey and melted my power cord self destructing before my eyes.
Dakota98
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
I'd say depending on where you're located in the States, 100 watts solar minimum, with controller & batteries fully charged from the start. Which then also would be useful when dry-camping.

Otherwise, get a portable "Smart" battery charger & keep them at home when not in use.

And, read THIS

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battery charging questions

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