Newbie with battery question

[mjmaddox]

After the first quick shakedown trip we parked the trailer, unplugged elec, etc. and left.
Now it's been a couple of months.

Didn't realize about the phantom draw against the battery but I do now. Not sure if my 2015 white hawk 20mrb has a battery disconnect. Doesn't indicate one on the invoice sheet. How do I know? Is my battery hosed after only one trip? Will plugging it back up to elec recharge it?

Have next trip planned in10 days. What do I do now ?

[harold1946]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

harold1946 wrote:

Deep cycle wet cells (new) average between 10-30%/ month.

I'd like to learn more about that.
Why so much difference from a "starting battery"?
That's the first I've heard of that much loss.
Any reference for additional reading ??

Pianotuna has it correct; Each type of battery has a different chemistry, depending on its intended purpose and the technology (chemistry)is constantly changing to improve longevity and performance.

[pianotuna]

Different chemistry for a deep cycle.

Best bang for the buck is a used telcom AGm battery.

Add a solar system.

Vulcan Rider wrote:

harold1946 wrote:

Deep cycle wet cells (new) average between 10-30%/ month.

I'd like to learn more about that.
Why so much difference from a "starting battery"?
That's the first I've heard of that much loss.
Any reference for additional reading ??

[Vulcan_Rider]

bid_time wrote:
While your information is technically correct, the discharge rate of a disconnected battery is so slow as to make little to no difference.

Unless you are talking about an AGM battery or maybe Lithium.

Self discharge is SELF discharge and it occurs whether connected or not.

[Vulcan_Rider]

harold1946 wrote:

Deep cycle wet cells (new) average between 10-30%/ month.

I'd like to learn more about that.
Why so much difference from a "starting battery"?
That's the first I've heard of that much loss.
Any reference for additional reading ??

[bid_time]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

wing_zealot wrote:
If you don't have a disconnect switch, All you have to do is disconnect the battery cable when you are going to leave it not plugged in for an extended period. The battery wont discharge then.

The term is SELF-discharge.
This occurs inside the battery because of chemical changes.....whether it is connected to anything or not.

While your information is technically correct, the discharge rate of a disconnected battery is so slow as to make little to no difference.

[Lynnmor]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:

If you remove a battery cable or turn off a disconnect switch, the battery will maintain its charge even longer than the one in your car.

Not a proper statement to make.

It depends on what kind of battery is in use in both applications and how healthy each one IS.

Even if that was absolutely true......so what ??

Modern cars do have a drain on the battery and no disconnect switch. Somehow they start after sitting for weeks. Trailers usually don't have a disconnect and one should be added.

[GoPackGo]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

GoPackGo wrote:

For short term storage (less then 3-4 months) I would just turn the switch to 'off' or disconnect the positive battery cable (hook it back up BEFORE you plug in to tow vehicle).

For that to be good advice, you have to add "have the battery fully charged before disconnecting". And if there is some age on them already, they might have significant losses in 4 months.

It really is best to give them an overnight boost charge once a month.....or use a full time tender.

Agreed.

I didn't go any further with my comments because it sounds like the OP is storing the trailer in a lot. He states that 'he left the trailer'. Most lots don't have electricity available so I'm guessing he can't plug in a charger for the battery.

I also 'assumed' that the battery would be fully charged since it would be connected to a tow vehicle and towed to the lot. Yes, I know you don't get a high charge from the TV.

In any event, all your points are valid.

[harold1946]

All batteries self-discharge and it varies by several conditions.
Starting/ cranking batteries (new) average about 5%/month.
Deep cycle wet cells (new) average between 10-30%/ month.
AGMs (new) average 1-3%/month.
The variables are the age of the battery, number of cycles and elevated temperatures, along with how well the have been maintained.
Add to that the manufactured quality. Not all batteries are created equal.

[pianotuna]

Even better, install a modest solar system.

Vulcan Rider wrote:


For that to be good advice, you have to add "have the battery fully charged before disconnecting". And if there is some age on them already, they might have significant losses in 4 months.

It really is best to give them an overnight boost charge once a month.....or use a full time tender.

[Vulcan_Rider]

GoPackGo wrote:

For short term storage (less then 3-4 months) I would just turn the switch to 'off' or disconnect the positive battery cable (hook it back up BEFORE you plug in to tow vehicle).

For that to be good advice, you have to add "have the battery fully charged before disconnecting". And if there is some age on them already, they might have significant losses in 4 months.

It really is best to give them an overnight boost charge once a month.....or use a full time tender.

[Vulcan_Rider]

Lynnmor wrote:

If you remove a battery cable or turn off a disconnect switch, the battery will maintain its charge even longer than the one in your car.

Not a proper statement to make.

It depends on what kind of battery is in use in both applications and how healthy each one IS.

Even if that was absolutely true......so what ??

[GoPackGo]

In answer to your question about a battery disconnect switch -

Follow the red positive lead coming off the battery. There should be a disconnect switch fairly close to the battery - probably one that you twist from 'on' to 'off'.

For short term storage (less then 3-4 months) I would just turn the switch to 'off' or disconnect the positive battery cable (hook it back up BEFORE you plug in to tow vehicle). The battery won't be hurt for that short timeframe. I would pull the battery and put on a maintenance type charger over the winter.

[Lynnmor]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

wing_zealot wrote:
If you don't have a disconnect switch, All you have to do is disconnect the battery cable when you are going to leave it not plugged in for an extended period. The battery wont discharge then.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

The term is SELF-discharge.
This occurs inside the battery because of chemical changes.....whether it is connected to anything or not.

If you remove a battery cable or turn off a disconnect switch, the battery will maintain its charge even longer than the one in your car. For long term storage, use a battery tender or charge it fully as needed.

[Vulcan_Rider]

wing_zealot wrote:
If you don't have a disconnect switch, All you have to do is disconnect the battery cable when you are going to leave it not plugged in for an extended period. The battery wont discharge then.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

The term is SELF-discharge.
This occurs inside the battery because of chemical changes.....whether it is connected to anything or not.

[wing_zealot]

If you don't have a disconnect switch, All you have to do is disconnect the battery cable when you are going to leave it not plugged in for an extended period. The battery wont discharge then.