Winter battery maintenance

[mkenyon2]

So, my new (to me) trailer was winterized at the dealer before we picked it up. But they did leave the battery attached. I live in central PA, and it gets cold here during the winter. I tend to bring in the rechargeable tool batteries from the shed.

Should I bring in the camper battery? My bro-in-law suggested that even if doing that I hook it up to a maintainer? Thoughts?

[wa8yxm]

The battery needs to be fully charged. Fully charged it's good to very low temps (Well over 30 below) Fully discharged more like 32+

If you have power either a battery tender (Very low power smart charger) or plug it in and let the converter (if it's a 3-stage) do the job)

IF you choose to remove it to say your basement

First... Spray or paint the positive leads RED (Optional black on the negative) if they are not already.

Take pictures (Multiple)

When disconnecting.. If a terminal has more than one wire (Other than jumpers) Tie them together.

Wrap the positive wires with plastic wrap to insulat them (no need on negative)

Disconnect negative first

Take battery inside and set on a piece of scrap wood or in a plastic "Tub"

MYTH: if you set battery on cement it will ruin the battery.

Fact: If you set the battery on Cement, or any other flooring it MIGHT (no guarantee) ruin the floor.. But if you set it on scrap wood.. Well that's kind of low cost 🙂 (I mean it's scrap already).

And again I'd suggest a battery minder/tender (Two brands of same type of device)

[Fisherman]

theoldwizard1 wrote:

IMHO, batteries should not be left on a maintainer continuously. Hook your maintainer to a mechanical lamp timer and charger for about 4 hrs per day.

Everyone has opinions and we all know about the smell. Battery maintainers are just that, made to maintain the batteries during extended periods of non use. I've had batteries last as long as 12 years (boat) and 10-11 years on the trailer. Once the camping season ends, batteries go in the garage on the cement floor, connected to the maintainer full time until next spring.

[Skibane]

Sandia Man wrote:
We leave our batteries in our RV over the winter, our garage is not insulated so temps are not much warmer than exterior temps. Since we have our RVs stored at our residence they are plugged in 24/7 in most cases. No need for us to purchase a separate trickle charger, our multiphase converter and inverter charger with temp compensation do a great job of keeping batteries properly charged no matter the time of year.

Same here.

Most converters (and inverter-chargers) built in the last 20 years do an excellent job of maintaining the batteries.

[Lwiddis]

Keep your batteries charged and they won't freeze and, a bonus, the batteries will last longer if kept charged.

[Sandia_Man]

We leave our batteries in our RV over the winter, our garage is not insulated so temps are not much warmer than exterior temps. Since we have our RVs stored at our residence they are plugged in 24/7 in most cases. No need for us to purchase a separate trickle charger, our multiphase converter and inverter charger with temp compensation do a great job of keeping batteries properly charged no matter the time of year.

Another reason we keep batteries onboard while winterized is our proximity to south TX and southern AZ, we often take trips throughout the winter season. Although rig is winterized we know batteries are always topped off and ready to go in a moments notice, we simply jump in and dewinterize when we reach warmer climes. As long as batteries are fully charged when rig is winterized they should keep from freezing, we have done it both ways and have not seen an advantage with either method.

[fj12ryder]

I'd use a maintainer, but that's me. I use them on all batteries that sit over the winter.

[mkenyon2]

I'd probably pull it inside and put it on a timer. Should I do a 1-Amp or more?

[PA12DRVR]

I pull all of my batteries out of the vehicle and put the batteries inside if the vehicle (or cabin as the case may be) they're in won't be used in the winter.

Admittedly, I've got a hangar to put them in but I much prefer to swing by and check the status, plug in the trickle charger, switch what's charging, inside a warm building than doing the same checks or activities out in the cold.

At a minimum, suggest a good charge and a complete disconnect (i.e. unclamp the leads, etc).

[theoldwizard1]

Regardless of battery chemistry, I believe it should be physically disconnected. Most (all?) batteries can be stored below freezing. Lead acid and AGM can be charged below freezing.Lithium batteries should not be charged if they are below freezing !

IMHO, batteries should not be left on a maintainer continuously. Hook your maintainer to a mechanical lamp timer and charger for about 4 hrs per day.

[fj12ryder]

You can do it either way, totally your choice. But you need to make sure you've disconnected the battery so you're not draining it due to parasitic draws. Many, if not most, factory battery disconnects don't completely disconnect the batter from things like radios, lights, and various other devices. A couple of weeks, or less, will give you a dead battery.

I spent $30 on a 10 watt solar maintainer since I don't have electric where I store the trailer, and didn't want to pull the battery. I've checked it a couple times and it seems to be doing the job.

[ssthrd]

A charged battery will not freeze until the temp hits -80F or so. I leave mine on a maintainer and check it now and then. I have not had any issues.