Forum Discussion

Explorer

Nov 23, 2018

Keeping batteries in camper over winter?

There's a lot of advice out there that says the best way to maintain deep cycle batteries over the winter is to remove them from the camper and put them in warm storage. However, I'd like to use the camper occasionally during the winter and it would be convenient to leave the batteries in it if I can do so without damaging them.

The manual for the Progressive Dynamics PD4000 power converter in the camper says it will automatically go into "Storage Mode" and decrease the voltage to 13.2 volts to maintain the battery. Does this mean I can just plug-in the camper power cord over the winter and the batteries will be OK? If not, could I purchase some kind of battery tender or maintainer that would work?

Truck Campers

23 Replies

zb39
Explorer
Nov 23, 2018
Even though I have a nice 3 stage smart charger built into the inverter to charge my 6 6 volts, I just throw a small battery tender on them thru the winter. Works great on all 6.
RobWNY
Explorer
Nov 23, 2018
I have 4 lifeline 6V AGM Golf Cart batteries in my camper. I spoke with one of Lifeline's tech people who told me that as long as the batteries are fully charged and are disconnected, they will lose 1%-2% over the winter but will not freeze. That proved to be true last year so I've done the same this year. I can't speak for other battery manufacturers or types of batteries but thought I would provide information on my situation.
sbryan
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2018
I have plugged in both my RV and my TC and let the Progressive charger maintain the batteries. The TC is newer but the RV is a 2007 and I finally replaced the battery this year after 11 years. It still holds a charge but the meter showed it was showing its age. That is how I have maintained my batteries and it has worked for me.