Battery Storage between trips

[elroseo]

I'm hoping that someone can tell me the best way to store batteries between trips. Do I take them out after every trip....or disconnect the batteries? 3-4 weeks at a time

[JIMNLIN]

My trailer sits in its shed with power so I disconnect battery and every 2-3 weeks and plug the charger in. I'm in and out of the shed daily so no problems for me to use it this way.

[Lynnmor]

StirCrazy wrote:
upgrade the converter section to a good quality 4 stage charger and leave it plugged in. my 6V batterys are 15 years old, and just starting to show there age now, and I have left it plugged in year round when its not in use.

Steve

Some may want to disconnect from the power grid to eliminate the risks of power failure, converter failure and voltage spikes from lightning.

[StirCrazy]

upgrade the converter section to a good quality 4 stage charger and leave it plugged in. my 6V batterys are 15 years old, and just starting to show there age now, and I have left it plugged in year round when its not in use.

Steve

[rhagfo]

All the calls for a trickle charger, I simply installed a total disconnect switch on our 5er. It could sit for 2 or more months, and I could still run the slides out and in.

[austinjenna]

I use a disconnect switch and a 100w panel on the roof to keep them topped off

[melvinjoe]

A disconnect switch would be the right option to disconnect !!

[time2roll]

2oldman wrote:
New member after 17 years, wow. I agree with the other answers.

Could be a recent name change or something reset the post count to zero.

[Lwiddis]

Andyj suggestion to just take the solar plunge is the easy route after installation but I’d say 300 watts.

[dodge_guy]

I had a small 5W solar panel. It was enough to keep a trickle charge on the battery. I believe it was around 500mA.
But as was said a larger one would be good.
In fact you can get a 200W solar kit for around $250-300 off Amazon.

[mr_andyj]

IF camper has parasitic loads then disconnecting will make the charge last longer, so a disconnect switch (disconnect the positive from the battery to the camper) will help, but even then batteries will lose charge just sitting. You should always keep a trickle charger on it. Typically they hold at about 13.6 volts and this is not enough to over-charge the batts and is fine to just leave on all the time. A smarter charger will monitor the condition of the battery and charge as needed.
Unless you have cold winters where you will no be using the camper there is no need to take batteries out.
Ways to trickle charge:
Solar is the favorite of many. You need a few hours of sunlight to help the batteries - not every day all day for just trickle, but several hours per week. You can get a small portable panel or attach a small panel on the roof, or just take the plunge and get a full solar system (200 watts or more). The charge controllers will do an excellent job keeping your batts topped off. MPPT controllers are the favorites of most ppl here.
or
$12 plug-in trickle charger. This is about the size of a deck of cards and comes with alagator clips to attach to the battery, or you can hard-wire it in and plug in as needed. You need to have access to plug it in, but if you have shore power then likely your camper's Dc power/charger will do just fine keeping batts topped off, however, the $12 charger will do it without constantly using your much much more expensive onboard charger all the time.

[Grit_dog]

^These are options, but OP explain your situation better.
Stored with shore power, no power, solar?
I never disconnect my boat or camper batteries for storage. But they sit on maintainers.

[2oldman]

New member after 17 years, wow. I agree with the other answers.

[midnightsadie]

put a cut off switch right at the battery. you should fully charge before each trip.remember to check water level few times a year a little maintance on the battery will give it a long life

[time2roll]

3-4 weeks I would just disconnect a cable or use a switch. If you get distracted after 3-4 months they may need plugged in for a few hours.

[Lwiddis]

Consider a 30 to 40 watt solar panel and a controller. That will keep the batteries charged between trips.