Batteries

[f350ms38rssa]

I live in Michigan, is it better to take my batteries out and trickle charge them in a warmer garage, or leave them in my 38 rssa and hook up a trickle charger in my not heated pole barn?

[Bob Denman]

I think that the batteries wouldn't know the difference... as long as they're getting hooked up to a battery maintainer.
But if you want them in a warmer garage; where you can keep a closer eye on them: that might be my preference...

[Porkchop]

Do not use a trickle charger.. Get a battery maintainer instead. Close to the same money. Better yet if you have electric available in your shed just plug the trailer in and use the factory installed maintainer. Good luck with your choice.

Bill

[K0LCB]

If you can plug in to at least 15 Amp circuit, your converter will maintain your. Batteries. You might need to check water level occasionally

[DonandPatti]

We have 2 solar panels on the roof. Our 38RSSA sits out all year in a nearby storage lot. The solar panels door the trick and keep the batteries (4) fully charged. I made sure when the panels were set up that even though we turn mostly everything off through the disconnect the batteries are still charged.
In our old 5th wheel I went through taking the batteries out, keeping them in the garage, trickle charger, etc. It got kind of old after a while. I promised myself when we got this DRV that we would add solar just for that purpose -- to keep the batteries charged through the winter.


Good luck.


Don

[Bob Denman]

How many watts; are those solar panels that you put up on the roof?

[Cummins12V98]

Simply disconnect the batteries and let them be right where they are.

[f350ms38rssa]

So you are saying, disconnect batteries, and hook the maintainer to the batteries in the cold pole barn?

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by f350ms38rssa

So you are saying, disconnect batteries, and hook the maintainer to the batteries in the cold pole barn?

For three years I simply disconnect my cables from my two RV/Marine batteries in my Boat that is stored inside my shop in NW WA with no heat. Hook em up each spring and they are good to go. I have never used a trickle charger or maintainer on a battery. Costco batteries.

[Bob Denman]

A warm garage might be easier; but the pole barn is certainly acceptable as well...

[f350ms38rssa]

I thought freezing was bad for them?

[Bob Denman]

If you keep them fully charged: they'll resist freezing for a pretty long time...
But as I said: the warm garage is preferable.

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by f350ms38rssa

I thought freezing was bad for them?

Batteries are like people. They hate the heat and cold. That is why you see the higher failure rates when it first gets cold. If they were marginal in nice weather, the cold pushes them over the edge. I pulled my boat battery and put it in the garage on a couple pieces of 2x4’s. It was not heated, but it was warmer then outside in the winter. I also placed battery maintainer on them. I used this. https://www.batterystuff.com/battery...t/XC100-P.html

But the big name out there is Battery Tender.
As long as you have a tender on them keeping them in the trailer should not be an issue. I watch our water level and check connections for any corrosion. And after almost 5 years my stock battery’s are still doing strong.

[dapperdan]

Like Don, I installed three 100 watt panels on the roof of our 38RSSA, that was four years ago and haven't had the batteries out since. Well, that's not exactly true.... I pulled the batteries to replace them with NEW batteries from Sam's Club this last May, I couldn't "resist" the $20 off sale on their 6 volt batteries! Two batteries were $140 (plus tax).

If you have healthy batteries AND their fully charged the cold doesn't bother them. Our trailer sites in a storage lot, like Don's for the winter and we haven't had any issues..... period. I do keep a close eye on the water levels though.

This program has worked very well for me for the last four years!

Good luck with your situation.

Dan

[DonandPatti]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

How many watts; are those solar panels that you put up on the roof?

Bob,

They are Go Power Solar Panels (2) 190 watt panels = 380 watts.

They work well for me.

Don

[Bob Denman]

Thanks for the info!

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by f350ms38rssa

I thought freezing was bad for them?

Do you keep a electric blanket wrapped around your batteries? Not going to make a darn bit of difference. Simply disconnect, they will be waiting.

[Cummins12V98]

Please explain why this battery went 20 years on my DR mower??? Never even unhooked it. fired right up every spring.

As mentioned my two RV/Marine batteries in my boat 3 years fired engine right up.

Temps into the teens in my shop.

[Porkchop]

Because it was made in Taiwan?

Bill

[Bob Denman]

If it lasted that long: it doesn't owe anybody an explanation...

20 years...