Battery Maintenance

[DUO_CORE]

We don't camp year round, only a few times in the Summer/Fall.

My rig has 4 six volt batteries.

What does everyone do in the winter as far as the batteries? I've been leaving the rig plugged in to my 30 amp outlet on my house. Should I be doing something else?

[Cummins12V98]

My two 12V batteries on my SaltWater Boat have the cables removed for winter storage for 6mo, re connect and engine starts right up!

[philh]

wfco is **** {rhymes with rap}

[sayoung]

I guess I'm using the wrong battery's as I use deep cycle sealed ( trolling motor) ones. They stay plugged in & all I do is keep terminal spray corrosion preventer on the connections.

[StirCrazy]

I have the same set up, as long as you have a good converter you can just leave them plugged in. I also have solar on mine (480 watts) and I top off the water twice a year. so far these batteries have lasted 13 years.


Steve

[Gjac]

Another option is to fully charge the batteries before winter storage and disconnect the negative cable. A good fully charged battery will last until spring. Batteries self discharge at a much slower rate during cold weather.

[2112]

What brand converter do you have?
My WFCO is stuck on 13.6V, too high for continuous float charge. I use a timer that allows it to charge 1 hr every five days.

[Lwiddis]

30 to 60 watt solar panel and PWM controller will do it.

[2oldman]

In my acid days I'd bring them into warmer conditions and charge them every so often.

[BarabooBob]

I rely on my Progressive Dynamics converter to do its job. I leave the TT plugged in and check the water levels every couple of months. I pull the fuses out of everything except the battery fuse to avoid parasitic drain of the battery. Keep it simple.

[azdryheat]

Keep 'em plugged in to keep 'em warm. Check the water level.

[theoldwizard1]

I assume you have them wired as 2 serial, 2 parallel. Personally I would disconnect the batteries from you onboard charger and connect them to a battery maintainer. Then I would plug the battery maintainer into a cheap mechanical lamp timer and set it to charge for about 4 - 6 hours per day.