Class C winterize/ batteries

Tacouser · 11-17-2017, 05:35 PM

For those in cold climates only. During the winter months when your class C is sitting in storage do you leave the batteries in or take them out. This is for people that do not have a way to plug in at the storage facility.
I want to be able to start up the coach say once a month. So do I take them home and bring them back each time? Or do I just leave them installed?
This is my first winter with a Class C

JamieGeek · 11-17-2017, 05:40 PM

On my Axis (a Class C in A's clothing) I have to leave the chassis battery in as I would have to dismantle part of the dash to get it out.

I put battery disconnects on both and leave them in the coach. In addition, I occasionally visit, connect the batteries, and run both the engine and genny to get them both up to operating temp (and to re-charge the batteries). Then disconnect both batteries before I leave.

gmc · 11-17-2017, 06:15 PM

Leave the batteries in...
Important to understand if your disconnects are 'complete' - or to add disconnects or find/address the drain.

My 2 rigs - the disconnects have been 'complete' - and when winter storing in Michigan I always left the batteries in... (current rig doesn't have a chassis disconnect - and still does fine for months).

A good/charged battery has no issues with freezing (at any temp the continental US will see)... A dead battery will freeze/crack - so do want to be sure all loads are off.

Tacouser · 11-17-2017, 08:21 PM

Thanks

petefoss · 11-19-2017, 06:21 PM

On this subject, is there a good battery monitor I can add to see what's going in or coming out of the batteries? Best I have right now built in is the inverter control panel. I get a good reading on the battery voltage if I'm on battery with use on and the fridge off. Or on shore power with use off since the converter is not charging.

be nice to know what the charge or discharge currents are???

Pete

PS. Generator started much easier if when I primed it

.

**16ACE27** · 11-19-2017, 10:45 PM

Pete,

This is what I installed in my ACE. Only issue is; unless you attach the shunt sensing wires through a DPDT switch you can either read current in, or current out. The switch allows you to see the current in both directions.

Whirnot · 11-20-2017, 12:12 AM

I have always removed the coach batteries and left the Chassis battery in. It usually gets below Zero many times per year here. I put the coach batteries in a warm dry place. Then stop by and run the MH at least once a month.
Although it has a battery switch, it is my understanding that the Alarms, Fire, Propane,CO, are around the Switch. and I know the demand water heater is, because it will fire for self protection even if it is in store position.
Doing this has worked well for me. I store inside but no heat.

petefoss · 11-20-2017, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tfryman

Pete,

This is what I installed in my ACE. Only issue is; unless you attach the shunt sensing wires through a DPDT switch you can either read current in, or current out. The switch allows you to see the current in both directions.

Hi Ted Did you forget a link or photo?

petefoss · 12-04-2017, 12:59 PM

Is it safe to charge coach batteries with an external charger? I was thinking of running mine down and measuring what went back is as a test of battery quality (or lack thereof).

**16ACE27** · 12-04-2017, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petefoss

Hi Ted Did you forget a link or photo?

I must have. Here it is:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

petefoss · 12-04-2017, 01:28 PM

Thanks

99dart · 12-04-2017, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petefoss

Is it safe to charge coach batteries with an external charger? I was thinking of running mine down and measuring what went back is as a test of battery quality (or lack thereof).

If you disconnect from shore power it is safe to charge the house batteries. You don't want to overcharge/overheat the batteries. I have been using one of these cheap, idiot proof battery testers for years. It shows me if the battery in question is good or bad without taking the word of a money hungry repairman.
https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-BT...ry+draw+tester

Bob Denman · 12-04-2017, 05:16 PM

Get yourself a Deltran Battery Tender, and you'll be good to go!

gmc · 12-04-2017, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petefoss

Is it safe to charge coach batteries with an external charger? I was thinking of running mine down and measuring what went back is as a test of battery quality (or lack thereof).

As stated, disconnect from shore power - and I would have coach in STORE (my disconnect is complete - no parasitic load)...

If your batteries are fortunate enough to have a label - see what discharge they are rated at... Typically house batteries are more deep cycle rather than starting - so CCA means little.

Of course deep discharge even for a deep cycle isn't recommended... Pick a safe cutoff voltage for the discharge (sounds typical from our R/C stuff...)

petefoss · 12-04-2017, 05:18 PM

I've got a good 2-15 amp smart charger already. As an electric model airplane flyer (like GMC) I've been maintaining 12V deep cycle source batteries for many years.

Jdb · 02-19-2020, 04:02 PM

Ted, I'll wiring in the same meter with 100A shunt. You mention wiring the shunt-sensing wires through a DPDT switch so that you can see current in both directions. Should I just split the leads from the meter into two leads each, and then attach the lead sets in a mirror image to each of the double pole sets?

Thanks in advance

Dave

**16ACE27** · 02-19-2020, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdb

Ted, I'll wiring in the same meter with 100A shunt. You mention wiring the shunt-sensing wires through a DPDT switch so that you can see current in both directions. Should I just split the leads from the meter into two leads each, and then attach the lead sets in a mirror image to each of the double pole sets?

Thanks in advance

Dave

Here you go:

Substitute Meter for Motor
Substitute Shunt for Battery

Jdb · 02-19-2020, 04:35 PM

Thanks Ted!

Mo_Mike · 02-20-2020, 12:50 AM

This is what I am using, mainly since it uses the flow through sensor..

This monitor will measure charging as well as discharging on the battery(s)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B4CWKRJ

**16ACE27** · 02-20-2020, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo_Mike

This is what I am using, mainly since it uses the flow through sensor..

This monitor will measure charging as well as discharging on the battery(s)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B4CWKRJ

Yeah, they didn't have that model when I installed mine. That is a much better purchase. So much so I may just upgrade to it.

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