We are snowbirds, but are about one month away from becoming sunbirds.For several years I have had the original single deep cycle battery in our 36 foot fiver. No boondocking, just FHU RV parks. I flipped the battery switch off and that same old battery sat all summer with no maintenance charge. Yet it still works fine, but I will replace it because it certainly is time.The future change in usage is that instead of being stored for 6 months in the summer, it will be stored for 9 months, including winter in Michigan.My question is, should I just buy the same thing I have since this type battery has served me well, or should I be looking for an ungrade? I do not want to put in a new battery and find it will not accept a charge after sitting all winter in the cold, or maybe boil over because it is so dead. Since I only need one battery, the cost is not a real concern.

Just a reminder, if the battery specs indicate CCA or Cold Cranking Amp's, it is not a true deep cycle battery! Ivylog indicate AGM, and I would have to agree, however being from FL I have no first hand knowledge of how they perfom in cold weather. If it is cold enough the battery can freeze, crack cells, and warp plates! At very least keep the battery compartment at least 32 degrees to prevent freezing.

Any type of deep cycle battery will be fine. Especially if you simply remove the battery and place in the garage or basement of your home will it will not freeze. Good luck, John

Some RV's require a wet cell for the emergency braking system to work. Be careful about going to AGM

JRS & B wrote:We are snowbirds, but are about one month away from becoming sunbirds.For several years I have had the original single deep cycle battery in our 36 foot fiver. No boondocking, just FHU RV parks. I flipped the battery switch off and that same old battery sat all summer with no maintenance charge. Yet it still works fine, but I will replace it because it certainly is time.The future change in usage is that instead of being stored for 6 months in the summer, it will be stored for 9 months, including winter in Michigan.My question is, should I just buy the same thing I have since this type battery has served me well, or should I be looking for an ungrade? I do not want to put in a new battery and find it will not accept a charge after sitting all winter in the cold, or maybe boil over because it is so dead. Since I only need one battery, the cost is not a real concern.You only mention your storage concerns. Are you planning on boondocking at all? If not, then just replace the battery with new and move on. I live in michigan, and always remove the batteries and store them in my garage, where I put a battery tender on it once a month or so.No need to spend on pricy AGM's if your power habits are not going to change.

What battery tolerates winter storage best? | Good Sam Community

Ivylog
Explorer III
Apr 28, 2015
AGM
Coach-man
Explorer
Apr 28, 2015
Just a reminder, if the battery specs indicate CCA or Cold Cranking Amp's, it is not a true deep cycle battery! Ivylog indicate AGM, and I would have to agree, however being from FL I have no first hand knowledge of how they perfom in cold weather. If it is cold enough the battery can freeze, crack cells, and warp plates! At very least keep the battery compartment at least 32 degrees to prevent freezing.
shadows4
Explorer III
Apr 28, 2015
Any type of deep cycle battery will be fine. Especially if you simply remove the battery and place in the garage or basement of your home will it will not freeze. Good luck, John
Charlie_D_
Explorer
Apr 28, 2015
Some RV's require a wet cell for the emergency braking system to work. Be careful about going to AGM
djousma
Explorer
Apr 28, 2015
JRS & B wrote:
We are snowbirds, but are about one month away from becoming sunbirds.

For several years I have had the original single deep cycle battery in our 36 foot fiver. No boondocking, just FHU RV parks. I flipped the battery switch off and that same old battery sat all summer with no maintenance charge. Yet it still works fine, but I will replace it because it certainly is time.

The future change in usage is that instead of being stored for 6 months in the summer, it will be stored for 9 months, including winter in Michigan.

My question is, should I just buy the same thing I have since this type battery has served me well, or should I be looking for an ungrade? I do not want to put in a new battery and find it will not accept a charge after sitting all winter in the cold, or maybe boil over because it is so dead.

Since I only need one battery, the cost is not a real concern.

You only mention your storage concerns. Are you planning on boondocking at all? If not, then just replace the battery with new and move on. I live in michigan, and always remove the batteries and store them in my garage, where I put a battery tender on it once a month or so.

No need to spend on pricy AGM's if your power habits are not going to change.
naturist
Nomad
Apr 28, 2015
What battery tolerates cold storage best? A fully charged one.
SkiSmuggs
Explorer
Apr 28, 2015
naturist wrote:
What battery tolerates cold storage best? A fully charged one.

This is a great answer. I live in Vermont, use my battery disconnect switch and keep a Battery Minder hooked up to my dual Golf Cart batteries all winter. No problems.
Since you are replacing it, consider ungrading the likely Group 24 (barely adequate) to a Group 27 for more amp hours. Measure the battery box, but most accomodate either size.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Apr 28, 2015
Coach-man wrote:
Just a reminder, if the battery specs indicate CCA or Cold Cranking Amp's, it is not a true deep cycle battery! Ivylog indicate AGM, and I would have to agree, however being from FL I have no first hand knowledge of how they perfom in cold weather. If it is cold enough the battery can freeze, crack cells, and warp plates! At very least keep the battery compartment at least 32 degrees to prevent freezing.
On my seasonal site my trailer sits from September to May or 8 months. I leave it fully charged and use a battery disconnect. The temperature can reach -45 a fully charged battery will not freeze.

I use a regular wet cell deep cycle battery.
Steakman
Explorer
Apr 28, 2015
Seems to me the only true deep cycle batteries are 6V...But regardless of what you use, As Naturist noted, fully charged is the right answer.

cheers,

Stk
JRS___B
Explorer
Apr 28, 2015
Thanks. I think I will just buy a new battery that matches the specs of the old one.

My situation is that I can store the trailer in Michigan for a mere $25 per year. So trailering it back and forth to Florida makes no economic sense at all. But the storage yard has no electricity, so I cannot have a trickle charger runnning from Oct. through June.

I guess I could pull the battery and just take it back and forth to Florida with me.

Any chance I could set the battery by a south facing window and keep it from dieing completely by using a solar powered charger? I would be willing to give it try just for grins.