Battery Storage between trips
I'm hoping that someone can tell me the best way to store batteries between trips. Do I take them out after every trip....or disconnect the batteries? 3-4 weeks at a time
Forum Discussion
Lynnmor wrote:StirCrazy wrote:Lynnmor wrote:StirCrazy wrote:
upgrade the converter section to a good quality 4 stage charger and leave it plugged in. my 6V batterys are 15 years old, and just starting to show there age now, and I have left it plugged in year round when its not in use.
Steve
Some may want to disconnect from the power grid to eliminate the risks of power failure, converter failure and voltage spikes from lightning.
yup and you may want to get a tinfoil hat also ;) seriously though if the power goes out you'll be aware and how would that be any different than turning off you battery switch, I have a 50 amp serge protecter on the plug in (yes i have a 50 amp plug in on my house) and lightnight, you can add protection to your breaker box for that. I check my 5th wheel and camper once a week so if the converter fails I'll find out..
Steve
That is why I said "some" so do whatever you want, just don't try to belittle others.
absolutly no belittleing going on hence the smiley face. in all seriously though the reason batteries die when pluged in is the factory converteres and people not checking them enough for the water levels. the manufactures are not going to spend the extra 1 to 200 bucks to put in a quality charger, which is realy to bad. I learned my lesson when I had my tent trailer, when I bought my trailer I upgraded to a PD with charge wizzard and bought four 235AH 6V GC batteries. I did that in 2006 and thoes same batteries are now in my 5th wheel I bought in 2016. granted they are showing signs of age now, but am thinking with the reduced activity due to covid I can wait till next year to change them as I wont be doing any camping longer than a week. I check the water level in them basicly 4 times a year and top up as nessasary. if you treat your batteries good and give them a quality charger they will last, when your home and pluged it it will be just a maintenance charge going to them after they are fully charged.
also when you size your batteries you should make the bank big enough tht you ae never going to use more than 50% of the capacity. thats another killer of normal batteries.
Steve
