trickyvic3
Raymond NH.
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Joined: 09/08/2011
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Hi all,
Yes it's the pain in the butt again with still more questions lol.
This one is geared for those who live in cold winter climates. I just replaced all the batteries in our 07 Discovery 39-V and I need advice on how to care for them during the winter months.
Some people tell me I should remove all the batteries for the winter, but that seems kind of extreme to me. Not to mention a real pain in the you know what.
I'd like to get your thoughts on this. If you guys think I should, then I will. Do you think I'd be ok as long as I left it plugged in to shore power and kept an eye on the water levels?
As you all know, replacing all 6 batteries isn't cheap, so I want maintain these as best I can.
Thank you for your input
Vic
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Hi Vic,
Removal of house batteries is almost never needed, and certainly not when there is access to the RV year round.
The answer depends on the make and model of the converter.
I chose to go solar myself, since there was no shore power available.
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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trickyvic3
Raymond NH.
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pianotuna wrote:Hi Vic,
Removal of house batteries is almost never needed, and certainly not when there is access to the RV year round.
The answer depends on the make and model of the converter.
I chose to go solar myself, since there was no shore power available.
We have a 3 stage charger/converter. Zantrex Freedom 458 model.
The coach also has a solar panel, not exactly sure of the wattage on it.
Vic
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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If the batteries discharge the electrolyte can freeze and damage the battery. You seem to have shore power so I would definitely use it over the winter. You should check to see if the converter connects to the chassis as well as the coach batteries. If not you should add that feature or put a jumper cable between the positive terminals of the two sets of batteries.
Jim Walker
2000 34' Damon Ultrasport DP
2009 Malibu
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trickyvic3
Raymond NH.
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J Walker wrote:If the batteries discharge the electrolyte can freeze and damage the battery. You seem to have shore power so I would definitely use it over the winter. You should check to see if the converter connects to the chassis as well as the coach batteries. If not you should add that feature or put a jumper cable between the positive terminals of the two sets of batteries.
Yes our charger does both house and chassis batteries. I'm not sure about the solar end of it, but I plan to keep it plugged in anyways from here on out.
In the past I think I was a bit to lax on plugging it in. I've learned now that it's best to keep it plugged in all the time when not in use.
Vic
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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You will have no worries with it plugged in. Check the battery water level after a month or so and you will know if they are using water.
Jim
2005 Coachman Sportscoach Elite 402 40'
350hp Cat C-7 w/MP-8
7500w Onan quiet diesel generator
6-Kyocera 130w solar panels SB3024i MPPT controller
Pressure Pro TPMS
1987 Suzuki Samurai tintop Toad w/VW 1.6 turbo diesel power
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trickyvic3
Raymond NH.
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Thank you,
That's what I was hoping to hear. Removal of the batteries seemed a bit overkill to me, and I was worried about making sure they get reconnected properly.
My wife says that sometimes I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed !!
Yeah I know,,, but hey I'm stuck with her lol.
Vic
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garym114
Bluff Dale, Texas
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Joined: 07/24/2006
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I stored the MH and toad in Anchorage for three winters. The storage spaces had no power but I stall would have stored the batteries like I did if power was available.
This was two 12v starting batteries and six 6v batteries. All were in good condition. I made sure all batteries were charged fully and removed the ground cable from the coach battery bank and the two engine batteries to remove all loads.
One winter they were stored that way for seven months. One winter it got down to -35 degrees. They were never under 12.4 volts when I returned, most of them were over 12.5 volts. That started on 07 and the same batteries are still in use.
The cold actually helps because the battery self discharge is slower.
There is no reason to remove the batteries and no reason to leave them on a charger all winter. Remove the ground cables and forget it until next spring.
2000 Sea Breeze F53 V10 - CR-V Toad
Some RV batteries live a long and useful life, some are murdered.
Get a Digital Multimeter and Learn How to Use It
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trickyvic3
Raymond NH.
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Thank you all for the tips.
Hopefully with this info I will get a much longer life out of these new batteries.
Vic
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