Over the years I have taken out my TT batteries and hooked them to a trickle charger in my garage during each winter. I now have the TT under covered storage at a local storage yard which has electric plug ins. Related to my TT battery’s winterization, am I good just plugging in the TT? Will this keep the battery warm/charged? Or should I remove the battery and trickle charge it in my garage? My storage facility is open-sided, covered storage so there is no heat, just an electric plug in next to my TT. I can count on a few decent freezes in December/January here in W. Washington. Other than this battery question, my TT is stowed and winterized.

Instead of powering up the converter and any parasitic loads, I disconnect the battery and use a Battery Tender for a few days a month. It could be left on indefinitely, but I have other uses for it. With the trailer plugged in it is exposed to any electrical glitches in the power system. Cold will not harm a fully charged battery, in fact cooler temperatures are better for it.

Ideally any charger should be temperature compensated but most aren't.

Our camper is plugged in continually when at home. Never had any problems with batteries.

I have left the TT plugged in all winter, checking the battery water level, I have disconnected the battery and charged it periodically on the TT. However, the easiest way for me is to charge it and leave it in the laundry room in a plastic tub. It is convenient to check but only sits for 3-4 months so it rarely looses much charge.

If the battery is fully charged it will be fine to sit on the trailer all winter disconnected. If you still want to charge it I would plug disconnect it from the trailer and plug the tender into it.

Battery storage | Good Sam Community

GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Nov 09, 2019
TurnThePage wrote:
My WFCO wasn't awesome by any means, but aside from no real boost mode, it charged and maintained the batteries OK.

I used to mess with removing the batteries, but that is a pain, literally. Mine sit on the tongue of the trailer that's plugged into shore power. I haven't noticed that huge electric bill noted above.

Least amount of effort, most bang for the buck.

The WFCO converter has worked for us, too. I want to change it out for a Progressive unit, though.
I haven’t seen a jump in electric use, either.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Nov 08, 2019
My WFCO wasn't awesome by any means, but aside from no real boost mode, it charged and maintained the batteries OK.

I used to mess with removing the batteries, but that is a pain, literally. Mine sit on the tongue of the trailer that's plugged into shore power. I haven't noticed that huge electric bill noted above.

Least amount of effort, most bang for the buck.
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 08, 2019
ADK Camper wrote:
Related to my TT battery’s winterization, am I good just plugging in the TT? Will this keep the battery warm/charged?

Most campers have WFCO converters that are supposed to automatically switch to "float mode" to keep a battery topped off. Unfortunately most WFCO converters operate only in adsorption mode and NEVER switch to float mode. If your converter operates this way it could overcharge your battery if left connected for a long period. This may cause the water level to drop and damage the battery. I believe you would be better off using a dedicated float charger.

True That.

It is amazing to me that the most common convertor on the market is the worst one.
Vintage465
Nomad
Nov 08, 2019
Lynnmor wrote:
Instead of powering up the converter and any parasitic loads, I disconnect the battery and use a Battery Tender for a few days a month. It could be left on indefinitely, but I have other uses for it. With the trailer plugged in it is exposed to any electrical glitches in the power system. Cold will not harm a fully charged battery, in fact cooler temperatures are better for it.

My Brother does a similar set up as you do but he set up a timer so it cycles on and off a couple times a month.
Vintage465
Nomad
Nov 08, 2019
GrandpaKip wrote:
Our camper is plugged in continually when at home. Never had any problems with batteries.

I used to do this and found that it shot my energy bill up substantially. Didn't realize what caused it til I sold that trailer and it left. Then my Electric bill went from $120.00 to $60.00-$80.00. That was running a converter.
owenssailor
Explorer
Nov 08, 2019
I'm in Ontario where it gets cold. For the last 40 years I fully charge the 2 batteries in our boat and ensure no loads on them. For my Miata and John Deere tractor the same thing - fully charge and take off battery cables.

I leave them in Nov and come back in April. Batteries are all still mostly fully charged.

Batteries with no load on them are fine in cold weather over the whole winter
pianotuna
Nomad III
Nov 07, 2019
Hi profdant139,

1% per day for an old tired worn out jar.
6% per month for a brand spanking new battery.

The colder it is the slower the chemical reaction--so cold storage is better so long as the battery is fully charged to start with.

That said, I will leave my car on a 1 amp charger for 3 hours per day for the next 120 days. But that is because of parasitic loads from the vehicle.

profdant139 wrote:
So I am going to display my ignorance, once again -- I had thought that if a battery is left disconnected, it will discharge about one percent per day. And after a couple of months, that discharge could shorten the battery's useful life.
ADK_Camper
Explorer
Nov 07, 2019
Related to my TT battery’s winterization, am I good just plugging in the TT? Will this keep the battery warm/charged?

Most campers have WFCO converters that are supposed to automatically switch to "float mode" to keep a battery topped off. Unfortunately most WFCO converters operate only in adsorption mode and NEVER switch to float mode. If your converter operates this way it could overcharge your battery if left connected for a long period. This may cause the water level to drop and damage the battery. I believe you would be better off using a dedicated float charger.
OleManOleCan
Explorer
Nov 07, 2019
I would disconnect the batteries and take them to my house.
I can set them on a shelf and put a trickle charge on them sometimes.
Less chance of them walking off that way.
ALSO...
Make sure every door and Hatch is locked. Don't leave anything in your storage unit or camper that might be stolen.
Wouldn't hurt to put a shackle on your trailers hitch too.
OleManOleCan
Explorer
Nov 07, 2019
I would disconnect the batteries and take them to my house.
I can set them on a shelf and put a trickle charge on them sometimes.
Less chance of them walking off that way.
ALSO...
Make sure every door and Hatch is locked. Don't leave anything in you storage unit or camper that might be stolen.
Wouldn't hurt to put a shackle on your trailers hitch too.

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