Battery Shut off and Storage Question.

Aluminum Siding wrote:
Great replies everybody! And some good advice. I actually went to Battery Town today where I bought my new 6v batteries. They recommended the shut off switch in the off position, unplug the trailer and hook up a trickle charger. They first recommended a solar charger but since it's not in storage and I have a plug I bought a plug in kind. So now with the 3 stage trickle charger the batteries will be always topped off. The circuit to the trailer will be cut so no drain there. Lastly the trailer will be unplugged so no wasted electricity and use of the minor electronics.

My original intent was to just disconnect once fully charged but batteries will slowly discharge on their own reducing the longevity of the batteries. Again thanks everyone for the awesome replies.

That is absolutely the best way to treat your batteries. You may want to make sure you occasionally get the Trojans back up to 14.8V (the pair)if your trickle charger doesn't get that done. I have solar and program the controller to a temp compensated 14.8 V for storage. The controller only goes into absorption for a half hour and then comes down to a float charge. I've been checking with a hydrometer and the solar keeps everything right at baseline SG. About once a year or so I stir them up with 15-16 volts from my shop charger.