We normally keep our trailer plugged into 115v power at our storage facility, however we will now be losing power for anywhere up to 9 months.. Question (1). If I install a battery disconnect switch on batteries, how long can I expect the 2 year old batteries to remain usable for towing before requiring recharging? Question (2) If I decide to take a portable generator to the trailer every so often, and plug it into trailer to let the converter maintain the batteries, how big of generator should I use? I have access to both a 1000w Honda generator and a 2000 watt Yamaha generator. Comments or Opinions..

Temps 50-90F three to four months 30-60 six months 0-40 eight months A generator is neat for maintenance, turning lights on, vacuuming and dusting. If the batteries somehow are low a 1,000 watt may be too small and stall out.

Since you don't say what type battery you have, I can only assume it is a flooded cell lead-acid battery. Such batteries require being fully charged at least once a month lest they slowly die all by themselves. If you are storing the RV for 9 months where there is no power, you would be best served by removing the battery, taking it home, and either putting it on a battery charger once a month, or using one of those battery minder devices. This would be both a LOT cheaper and much less hassle than making periodic excursions with a generator. Just my humble opinion.

naturist wrote:Since you don't say what type battery you have, I can only assume it is a flooded cell lead-acid battery. Such batteries require being fully charged at least once a month lest they slowly die all by themselves. If you are storing the RV for 9 months where there is no power, you would be best served by removing the battery, taking it home, and either putting it on a battery charger once a month, or using one of those battery minder devices. This would be both a LOT cheaper and much less hassle than making periodic excursions with a generator. Just my humble opinion.the batteries are lead/acid...and the trailer will towed and used at least monthly during the next 9 months..

Generators are not good at maintaining/floating batteries, they are more suitable for running 110V loads or charging batteries. Preferably, charging ~100% each time - which job generators are not good at either, may take many hours. If you can't do 100% most of the time, you'll have to equalize them once a month or so, unless you are prepared to throw them out in a year or two. 1000W is enough for 2*100AH batteries, provided you have an adequate converter or charger. OEM converters in most trailers are cr-ap.

With a disconect you should be ok, as long as where you go has power to charge. You can always jump them for a bit with the genny or your tv if you cant make it out. Qhen towing it will get a small charge from the tv also. Not enough to top them off but enough to enguage the breking feature. I wouldn't worry about it.

Battery Question.. | Good Sam Community

Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2021
A healthy battery will not need much charging between monthly uses as long as it is fully charged before storage. Simple cut-off switch attached to battery post should suffice, driving to campground will top off any minor losses if power is cut-off to your rig during storage. Obviously solar, removing batteries, and bringing genny periodically will work as well, your OP sounded more like leaving your rig in storage for months without power, a month or so between trips is something GC2 batteries are built to handle.
jdc1
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2021
Solar. No reason to overthink this.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2021
If it is towed at least monthly it's possible you need do nothing.
The Generator should run for at least 1/2 hour under at least 1/2 load monthly

Total time to recharge from GC2 DEEP CYCLE batteries from 50% to Full is aroudn 6 hours with the proper ( 60-70 amp) 3 stage converter for MARINE/deep cycle at 75% SOC drop one hour.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 27, 2021
I think 3 to 4 months between recharge will be fine as long as they are actually disconnected.
Size of the generator will depend on the converter. If the converter rating is 35+ amps you probably need the 2000 watt. 35+ is the converter rating not the RV plug rating. Post the converter model number for best answers.

If the converter is good you will get about 14.4 volts charging and the top up can be done in 2 or 3 hours. If you have a fixed voltage converter or a WFCO that often acts like one you really should charge 4 to 8+ hours.

OK to use a portable battery charger if you have one.
Almot
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2021
So the question was really about storage for less than one month between the shore power uses :). Only took 2 pages.

Disconnect the battery in storage. Unless your rig has some loads that have to be always on, nothing will change even when batteries will be nearing the end.

Small solar panel 20-50W on the roof won't do any harm and will likely help. Some manufacturers slap it onto the A/C cover but you can put it anywhere.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Feb 27, 2021
Just disconnect the batteries between your monthly uses of the trailer. They will be fine in between. They'd be fine for 2 or 3 months in between uses.
2112
Explorer II
Feb 26, 2021
Disconnect the battery cable when stored and you'll be fine
rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2021
DD716TED wrote:
naturist wrote:
Since you don't say what type battery you have, I can only assume it is a flooded cell lead-acid battery. Such batteries require being fully charged at least once a month lest they slowly die all by themselves. If you are storing the RV for 9 months where there is no power, you would be best served by removing the battery, taking it home, and either putting it on a battery charger once a month, or using one of those battery minder devices. This would be both a LOT cheaper and much less hassle than making periodic excursions with a generator. Just my humble opinion.

the batteries are lead/acid...and the trailer will towed and used at least monthly during the next 9 months..

Install a disconnect switch, you will be fine.
DD716TED
Explorer
Feb 26, 2021
2112 wrote:
DD716TED wrote:

the batteries are lead/acid...and the trailer will towed and used at least monthly during the next 9 months..

Will you have it connected to shore power during use at least monthly?

Whenever we use the trailer, we connect to shore power.. answer is yes
2112
Explorer II
Feb 26, 2021
DD716TED wrote:

the batteries are lead/acid...and the trailer will towed and used at least monthly during the next 9 months..

Will you have it connected to shore power during use at least monthly?

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