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Winter battery storage

explorenorth
Explorer
Explorer
I thought that this would be an easy subject to find good information on, but I've drawn a complete blank. How do you store your house and chassis batteries? This is my 2nd winter with a Class A. Last year I had the 3 batteries (two 6-volt and one 12) in the basement (plus a motorcycle battery), and swapped chargers back and forth every few weeks but there has to be an easier way - a rack holding everything, with a charger or a pair of chargers that trickle all winter.
Murray

Whitehorse, Yukon
http://ExploreNorth.com/
and blogging at http://ExploreNorthBlog.com/
I live to travel, and travel to really live
11 REPLIES 11

You_can_t_take_
Explorer
Explorer
I leave mine in the RV. Both the Chassis and house batteries. They are connected with a charge line. I have a timer that allows the RV converter to charge them 3 times a week for 2-3 hours. They are both about one year old and I don't check them until I get back from Florida in 4 months. This has worked for me for all of my RV's over the last 10 years.
1960's: Tents.. 1970's: Soft top & Hard top P/U.. 1980's: 17' RV.. 1990's: 24' RV.. 2000's: 2002 Cougar 276EFS; 2005 Laredo 29GS; 2002 GMC 2500HD Ext Cab 4x4; 2015: 2006 Class 'B' Chateau Citation; "(Nfld/Labrador-Yukon/NWT/Alaska-Gaspe', Que./Florida!!)

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Do not use the heat wraps.

Nicholsfamily05 wrote:
This year I'm leaving them in the RV. I bought a battery tender and then two temp controlled heat wraps.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Hi,

Putting on a battery blanket is the worst thing you could do. Using them would accelerate self discharge.


explorenorth wrote:
We have temps that get near -45 degrees, though. Putting battery blankets on all 3 would at least be necessary.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

352
Explorer
Explorer
(Battery Minder). Desulfation and trickle charge is your best option. Do the research and good luck.
The manatees of Halls river Homosassa Springs Fl

1985 Chevy Silverado c10. 454 stroker / 495 CI = 675 HP. 650lb of torque. Turb0 400 tranny. 3000 stall converter. Aluminum heads. 3 inch exhaust flowmasters. 2 inch headers. Heat and air. Tubed.

Nicholsfamily05
Explorer
Explorer
This year I'm leaving them in the RV. I bought a battery tender and then two temp controlled heat wraps.
2016 Ram 3500 4x4 Big Horn Crew Cab, SRW. Cummins Turbo Diesel Automatic 68RFE Trans
50 gallon diesel Transfer Flow tank with the Traxx 3 system.
2017 Sierra FLIK 5th Wheel
42' Front Livingroom, 15K
Hydraulic level up system

explorenorth
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for all the tips! It looks like I won't need to remove them - the Trik-L-Start looks like a great addition.
Murray

Whitehorse, Yukon
http://ExploreNorth.com/
and blogging at http://ExploreNorthBlog.com/
I live to travel, and travel to really live

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
Winterize batteries Oct2009
Stay plugged in in storage?
Stay plugged in roast batteries?
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
I just noticed, you're in Whitehorse, Yukon.you get real winters up there..
Do you remove the batteries because your rig is covered with snow and you can't check the batteries while still installed?

If your system only charges the house batteries and not the starter battery, try a Trik-L-Start.

Take the motorcycle battery inside and use your trickle charger.
If you can't check the RV batteries water level because of snow, you're probably better off taking them inside.

explorenorth
Explorer
Explorer
gbopp wrote:
I keep my batteries in the RV, plugged in 24/7. The converter keeps them charged.


We have temps that get near -45 degrees, though. Putting battery blankets on all 3 would at least be necessary.
Murray

Whitehorse, Yukon
http://ExploreNorth.com/
and blogging at http://ExploreNorthBlog.com/
I live to travel, and travel to really live

J-Rooster
Explorer
Explorer
I leave my batteries in my coach year around, service them twice a month, and there trickle charged during the day.

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
I keep my batteries in the RV, plugged in 24/7. The converter keeps them charged.