BigRedBill
Omaha, Nebraska
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Joined: 09/06/2011
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Hello all -- definately a newbie. We picked up a new travel trailer last week and took it on it's maiden voyage over the weekend. We had a great time and are planning several other trips.
Rookie question here though -- do I need to disconnect the battery after each use? We will be taking it out again on the 23rd of the month.
Thanks in advance.
Bill
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Hi,
Welcome to the forums.
If there is no battery disconnect switch then yes, disconnect the negative cable form the battery. (always do the negative first)
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts Unisolar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 2500 MSW watt inverter.
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aquarious
Marion Indiana
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The only time I disconnect the battery is when I bring it in for the winter. I do however check the water level often. Ed
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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Joined: 01/05/2005
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I would leave the battery connected between trips. If plugged in to shore power then the batteries will get fully charged.
During storage periods, I would install a battery disconnect or disconnect ground. In Nebraska, I would remove the battery over the winter and store where it will not freeze.
Bud
USAF Retired
Suzuki XL7 pushing Pace Arrow
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k9doctor2b
Vista, CA
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Joined: 07/24/2004
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And don't store it on a concrete floor.
Ryan
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crasster
Dallas
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To add, if there is not a battery disconnect switch, consider adding one. It's easy to bite the bullet once and get it done rather than having to unbolt something every time.
4 whopping cylinders on Toyota RV's. Talk about great getting good MPG. Also I have a very light foot on the pedal. I followed some MPG advice on Livingpress.com and I now get 22 MPG! Not bad for a home on wheels.
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Fresno Tundra Driver
Fresno,Ca. USA
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Joined: 11/20/2003
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Storing a battery on a concrete floor is fine though. I've been doing it for 10 years now with no trouble. That was shown to be a myth.
E.Lee Galik
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Fresno Tundra Driver wrote:Storing a battery on a concrete floor is fine though. I've been doing it for 10 years now with no trouble. That was shown to be a myth.
Perhaps so, but how difficult is it to put something under the battery to keep it off the concrete, and avoid acid stains on the concrete? I always put something down, even if it is just several thicknesses of newspaper or a piece of plywood.
Just a silly habit left over from the days of hard rubber battery cases, I guess.
But, I don't remove the batteries and bring them in anyway. It would have to get down to about 40 or 50 below to freeze a fully charged battery.
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
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"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
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k9doctor2b
Vista, CA
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You are right! I had no idea it had changed. But I found this which explains it.
You see, the myth that concrete drains batteries does have some historical basis. Many, many years ago, wooden battery cases encased a glass jar with the battery inside. Any moisture on the floor could cause the wood to swell and possibly fracture the glass, causing it to leak. Later came the introduction of the hard rubber cases, which were somewhat porous and had a high-carbon content. An electrical current could be conducted through this container if the moist concrete floor permitted the current to find an electrical ground. The wise advice of the old days to "keep batteries off concrete" has been passed down to us today, but it no longer applies because of the advanced technology of today’s batteries.
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AlamsoaBorn
Colorado
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If it is plugged in, then you are OK NOT to disconnect. If there isn't shore power connected, then the battery will discharge due to the loads always present in the trailer. For the winter, I charge the battery fully, then disconnect. In my climate there isn't a need to bring inside during the winter, coldest temperature her during the winter is about -10.
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