6 Volt Battery Winter Maintenance Advice?

[pbohart]

Hi -

I have had a couple sets of 2 x 6Volt Trojan T125 batteries on my RV over the last decade. I have previously dropped them into my RV then forgotten all about them - including when I drop my RV off on Mount Hood for the winter when the temperatures drop below freezing fairly regularly. Needless to say, I am sure I am not getting full lifespan/value from my purchase.

I just bought a new set which I intend to only use only for regular camping in Spring/Summary/Fall. I will keep the older set for Winter use as I have full hookups where I drop my RV.

Question - Is there a good summary of how to maintain the new set during the Winter? I assume I will be removing them and keeping them on a 6V trickle charger? Any suggestions on a trickle charger that gets the TT forum seal of approval?

Thanks!

[Boon_Docker]

Fully charged and disconnected batteries will last the winter in sub zero temps. At least mine have for more than nine years now with only a 10% discharge through the winter.

[Skibane]

It's worth mentioning that the electrolyte in a fully-charged lead-acid battery has a freezing temperature of around 95 degrees F. below zero.

In a completely-discharged battery, it's just +32 degrees F.

Moral of the story: If you don't want your batteries to freeze, keep them charged.

[Latner]

Sandia Man wrote:
I do nothing different for our Samsclub purchased 6 volt golfcart batteries during the winter months as opposed to summer. Regardless of the time of year we keep our batteries properly watered and always plugged in letting our smart converter or inverter charger keep them happily charged.

We experience at least 4 months yearly of sub-freezing temps and easily get a minimum of 8 years of reliable service, they always have life still left in them but with the sales they occasionally have at Samsclub on GC2 batteries we tend to get a fresh pair.

For less than what we spend on fuel for a single RV outing we have 12 volt reserves for many years to come, don't see myself going with newer battery technologies any time soon as we have always had good success over several decades of RVing.

x2

[Latner]

StirCrazy wrote:
theres another option. if you hve a good converter in the rv and you leave it pluged in, just leave the batteries set up as normal. I got 14 years out of my lst 6V batteries and they only time they wernt plugged in was when I was driving or camping with out services.

Steve

x2

[Boon_Docker]

Thermoguy wrote:
I remove mine and store them in the garage for the winter. I connect the 6V together to make a 12v. I only have a 12v battery maintainer so just connect like I do in the trailer.

Would be interested to hear if this is not the correct approach. Do I need a 6V maintainer?

Yes, you are doing it right with 12 volts. You do not need to use a 6 volt maintainer.

[Thermoguy]

I remove mine and store them in the garage for the winter. I connect the 6V together to make a 12v. I only have a 12v battery maintainer so just connect like I do in the trailer.

Would be interested to hear if this is not the correct approach. Do I need a 6V maintainer?

[Sandia_Man]

I do nothing different for our Samsclub purchased 6 volt golfcart batteries during the winter months as opposed to summer. Regardless of the time of year we keep our batteries properly watered and always plugged in letting our smart converter or inverter charger keep them happily charged.

We experience at least 4 months yearly of sub-freezing temps and easily get a minimum of 8 years of reliable service, they always have life still left in them but with the sales they occasionally have at Samsclub on GC2 batteries we tend to get a fresh pair.

For less than what we spend on fuel for a single RV outing we have 12 volt reserves for many years to come, don't see myself going with newer battery technologies any time soon as we have always had good success over several decades of RVing.

[StirCrazy]

theres another option. if you hve a good converter in the rv and you leave it pluged in, just leave the batteries set up as normal. I got 14 years out of my lst 6V batteries and they only time they wernt plugged in was when I was driving or camping with out services.

Steve

[pianotuna]

charge them and disconnect.

[FLY_4_FUN]

Big fan of the Deltran battery tender chargers. You can decide what model suits your needs and budget.

[pbohart]

Awesome advice! Thanks!!

Is there a 6V battery maintainer that either of you (or others) would recommend?

[Trackrig]

Make sure they're full of water
Charge them
Disconnect the cables

It work fine for me down to -60F.

Bill

[CA_Traveler]

Options:
1. Fully charge the batteries, remove the cables and you will have self discharge of about 4%/month, good for about 6 months.
2. Charge them at home with a battery maintainer.
3. Charge them at home about once a month.