Okay To Leave Batteries Connected While Stored?

[falconman515]

I have 2 6V batteries on my TT and they are in the box all connected with a strap around them and what not ... would be a pain to have to disconnect them when I take the TT to storage until the next camping trip (I of course will be taking out the batteries completely and storing them in the garage during winter and the trailer is not in use ... this is just a question about storing it from one camping trip this month to the next trip maybe a few weeks or month later).

Nothing of course is really on I would assume other then the built in LP detector and that's basically it when everything is turned off.

SO ... my question is .....

Is it better to disconnect the batteries when being stored outside for a few weeks at a time or should I disconnect them while in storage (and also depending on your answer why?)

Thanks so much for the info guys! 🙂

-Chris

[pronstar]

Every RV trailer I've ever seen has had a batter disconnect switch.
It's usually not placed directly at the battery, but I've got to think that you have one somewhere...

[westend]

falconman515 wrote:
Thanks so much for all the great replies.

I will be disconnecting them when in storage now.

I will also be looking into this quick disconnect since my batteries are strapped down and under a front lid cover so it's a pain to connect and reconnect.

I have worried about my batteries being just right there in storage but they said they have never had a stolen battery reported ... where I have it stored is really the absolute Best part of town and very secure so most people with a slip or storage locker in there hopefully are not thief's.

On a side note a had a thread about 6V batteries x2 and mine I got form Sams are AMAZING ... they lasted a full 4 days and 3 nights and were only down to 12.23V remaining .... thats' with the Heater on 65 every night, fridge running, lights being used on and off throughout the night, water pump used to run through over 3/4 of the water in the holding tank ... I was worried I would need solar or a gen. but really I never camp longer then 4 days 3 nights so I'm good to go with these bad boys.

Thanks again for all the great info guys ... I'll be swinging by the storage this weekend to disconnect them.

Good to hear from another happy Sam's Club 6v owner!
Maybe it would be worth your while to look at a different locking box for the batteries. I guess it's easy to spend your money but I would dislike lugging two 6v's back and forth.

[gates59]

I have left mine for a couple of weeks and checked the voltage and was still at 12.8 volts. That tells me not much of a drain. I used to disconect all the time until i tested it. I guess it all depends on what inverter you have. Mine is a progressive dynamics.

[time2roll]

100 watts of solar would work well in storage and while camped :B

[falconman515]

Thanks so much for all the great replies.

I will be disconnecting them when in storage now.

I will also be looking into this quick disconnect since my batteries are strapped down and under a front lid cover so it's a pain to connect and reconnect.

I have worried about my batteries being just right there in storage but they said they have never had a stolen battery reported ... where I have it stored is really the absolute Best part of town and very secure so most people with a slip or storage locker in there hopefully are not thief's.

On a side note a had a thread about 6V batteries x2 and mine I got form Sams are AMAZING ... they lasted a full 4 days and 3 nights and were only down to 12.23V remaining .... thats' with the Heater on 65 every night, fridge running, lights being used on and off throughout the night, water pump used to run through over 3/4 of the water in the holding tank ... I was worried I would need solar or a gen. but really I never camp longer then 4 days 3 nights so I'm good to go with these bad boys.

Thanks again for all the great info guys ... I'll be swinging by the storage this weekend to disconnect them.

[2012Coleman]

If your TT is going to be at a storage facility, I'd be worried about theft. My battery was stolen while at storage - and was not cheap to replace. Good luck.

[westend]

The 6v batteries are more forgiving about being run down to "dead" but if it happens enough, the batteries will sulfate and, eventually, be useless. The parasitic loads, as mentioned, will have your batteries discharged in a matter of days.

One of the better ways to maintain the TT's batteries when in storage, is to use a small solar module to keep them charged. Pair the module with a battery disconnect switch and when you pick up the TT from storage, turn the switch and you'll be off with charged batteries.

[fla-gypsy]

Disconnect them or add a disconnect switch to do it with.

[pronstar]

If you have a typical "dumb" inverter/charger, I'd use a disconnect switch, then put a maintainer/tender on the batteries to keep them in tip-top shape. If you leave it plugged-in, it will cook your batteries...ask me how I know :S

If you have a "smart" inverter/charger, then I'd just leave it plugged in and not disconnect the batteries. It will maintain your batteries just as an external maintainer/charger would.

I've used Water Miser caps for two years.
While I check my water levels regularly, I've have never had to add water, the caps don't let the water evaporate to the atmosphere - they capture and re-introduce the water to the cell.

[qmrichardson]

I agree on the disconnect. I tried leaving it in before, and it'd be dead after just a few short days... I like bringing it home and putting it on the trickle every month or so for a few minutes to ensure it's good.

[2edgesword]

I disconnect to avoid the battery drain from the CO2 detector and radio in addition to "someone" forgetting to turn a light off when they leave the trailer.

[REDF350]

Disconnect the battery. Too many small parasitic loads on my unit.

[JRS___B]

There are a lot of 12 volt parasitic loads. Some you can find and shut off, like the booster on a bat wing antenna. But other 12 volt loads, like the electronics for a refrigerator, and carbon monoxide detector, maybe electronics for heating and cooling, and even an inverter is you have one, really require a battery disconnect switch.

I only have one battery. I can come in off the road with the battery fully charged from 3 days driving on the interstate. Then, if I forget to flip the disconnect when I put it in storage, my battery won't have enough juice to open a slide out in just one day, maybe two.

I would look hard and long for a place to conveniently locate a disconnect switch.

[coolbreeze01]

My trailer has a battery disconnect switch by the sink. If it didn't, I would disconnect the batteries during storage. If storage was 4 plus months, I would pull the batteries and charge them at home once a month. Good luck.