winter storage for RV
We are thinking of buying a class C. We don't expect to use it for a 3 to 6 months of the year. What should we do to keep it running well? Should we take it on short drives every so often? How often? ...
Forum Discussion
DrewE wrote:I agree that cool and reasonably cold temps are easier on batteries than room temp. But I had in-mind the concern of partially drained batteries sitting in temperatures of -20f (52 degrees below freezing) as can happen where we live in a low lying area near Chicago. When temps are that low around here, vehicles with marginal batteries can't get going, and the battery is not reliable after the temps rise again. Hence I suggested proper fluid level in all battery cells, fully charged & disconnected to eliminate any potential of an electrical drain, and "hope for the best".ron.dittmer wrote:If it's below freezing (or close to that) and the batteries are disconnected from all loads, they will not self-discharge enough to freeze over the winter. The rate of self-discharge is quite dependent on temperature; the rule of thumb I recall is that it doubles or halves for a 10 degree C change in temperature. (This means that a couple weeks during the summer entails about the same self discharge as the entire winter, assuming it's below freezing where you are.) They'd actually be happier out in the cold than in the warmth of one's apartment without a battery tender, to mention nothing of the questionable advisability of having a (non-agm) lead acid battery sitting in one's living space.
As far as cold indoor storage without electricity is concerned, I would remove all batteries and take them home to your apartment. If that is not feasible, then you have to do something to keep the batteries charged during the winter to prevent them from freezing. They won't freeze until discharged of which I can't say how long it takes for that to happen when the batteries are disconnected. I suppose you could take a chance and make sure the fluid levels are good, charge the batteries until full, immediately disconnect the negative battery terminals, and hope for the best.
This isn't just "hoping for the best." Many people in northern climates leave many lead-acid batteries untouched over the winter without trouble: farmers, homeowners with riding lawn mowers, motorcycle riders, etc.
Our first motor home, the house and chassis batteries were replaced twice in 24 years, and the 3rd ones were working well when I sold the rig. Doing the math, they averaged over 8 years per battery. The battery that came with the 1983 Toyota RV chassis when new lasted 11 years. Placing a 7, 8, 9 year old battery in less than perfect health, in -20f for 48 hours could critically damage it.
Brand new batteries get delivered throughout the world in trucks that have no heat in the trailer, some driven in sub-zero temps to their destinations and the batteries are sold thereafter. Healthy batteries have minimal concern. My comment is most applicable to batteries in the last 3rd of their life cycle.
