just finished my first season of camping in my new TT.. really really dumb question on the battery.. I purchased TT brand new in June and it came with a size 24 battery, around the same time that I purchased my neighbor gave me a brand spanking new size 24 battery that he purchased the previous week for his camper but ended up not using.. so I now have two identical batteries.. problem is, I never dry camped this season.. every site I went too had power.. so this may sound like dumb question but what in the world do I do with a brand new unused battery? should I just hook up both batteries and use both? I know how to hook up both, but seems silly to hook up both batteries if I don't even use one battery, or is there a way to store a battery long-term once its been charged????? the only reason im even considering hooking up both is so that one battery doesn't just sit on my front porch rotting away because its not being used... its brand new and seems silly to just let it sit there... my second question is, for this winter, I have the batterys in my basement and I have a small 1.5 amp charger. both batterys are fully charged and reading about 12.7 volts with a voltmeter.. I check batterys about once per week with the voltmeter, at what point do I want to hook up the charger to trickle charge it? I don't want to drain them that far because im sure 1.5 amps wont do much with size 24 deep cycle....thanks for the help...

Hi,This is what is balanced and best for twin twelve volt batteries.As it often doesn't cost a dime more to do this, I think it is worth the trouble.If you wish to understand the "why" surf here:correctly interconnecting multiple twelve volt batteriesOthers may say it doesn't matter--but unless there is a compelling reason to not optimize charging and discharging why not do it the best possible way?

Fully charged cood condition batteries without a load will hold their charge for a substantial time. Putting a trickle charge on for a day or so once a month should be enough. That said all batteries age, so if all your camping is with hookups all you will ever need is 1 group 24. I would pass the extra battery on to a friend.

The 12 Volt Side of Life, informative website on batteries. I found it helpful.

How old is the battery in your tow vehicle? Will the extra battery fit? I know it's not the recommend battery but, if it will physically fit I would put it in there if the tow vehicle battery is more then 4 years old. But, that's jut me. Other people may differ.

Share the wealth and give the battery to someone that can use one. A battery starts to die the moment acid is added and will die a lot faster if allowed to sit even slightly discharged.

Battery help.. question for the battery experts

bguy
Explorer
Oct 26, 2013
Store your batteries in the basement just fine. I store mine in a heated garage. As for charging, always always always provide maximum ventilation. Batteries release Hydrogen gas when being charged. Ever see footage of the Hindenberg?
artguys
Explorer
Oct 26, 2013
Boeing developed a product they use in all of their aircraft on open circuits. Used the same way, and especially batteries, it will reduce the number of battery cycles thereby increasing the life of your battery. I've been using it for many years and have had exceptional results...look for Boeshield T9, it can be found at any West Marine location.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 25, 2013
Hi,

If a fully charged battery freezes you will have lots more to worry about than them. They will freeze at -77 c (-106.6 F)

yankeeslover wrote:
whats wrong with charging in the basement? is it dangerous? the only other place I can store these is my open front porch... being that I live In upstate NY the batterys outside would freeze... any suggestions?
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 25, 2013
Fully charged battery will not freeze. No need to keep it warm if on the charger.
harley4275
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
As for charging in basement ...don't take a chance....take the battery once a month to you balcony and give it a trickle.
And as for camping with out power...i did a 48 day trip to Newfoundland , Canada and had power for only 7 nights.Have 2 batteries , but only need one as we were on the road almost every day. There is really no need for power ....percolated coffee over the gas stove is great.
yankeeslover
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
whats wrong with charging in the basement? is it dangerous? the only other place I can store these is my open front porch... being that I live In upstate NY the batterys outside would freeze... any suggestions?
bguy
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
DON'T CHARGE YOUR BATTERIES IN THE BASEMENT!!!!
PartyMarty
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
Simple answer : Use them both ..
I love boondock dry camping .
That is the kind of camping that the trailer manufacturers show in their brochure .
With your 2 new batteries try a camping trip to a most beautiful spot that does not have hookups.
Get some good jumper cables and learn how to enjoy the 12 volt side of life .
It also saves on CG fees , is less crowded , and offers even prettier campsites than the ones with hookups .
yankeeslover
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
thanks everyone, im assuming that a 1.5 amp charger will not fully charge a deep cycle battery that's drained, but will keep it charged if its already 75% or more charged? I ask because I have a 1.5 amp charger that I use to charge my snowmobile batterys. and want to just use that for the winter for keeping my rv batterys charged in my basement as its needed. during summer months I just use the converter on the camper to charge..thanks
Huntindog
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
I would install them both. Wire them like Piano says.
Someday you may need to dry camp, or some day the power may go out, either at home or at camp. That extra battery would come in handy then.
As for your Trickle charger, yes, it can be left on 24/7/365. If you wire them as suggested even while charging, they will be pretty much on auto pilot. Check the water once a month or so, and call it good.

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