Fisherman
Angus, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 09/28/2002
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theoldwizard1 wrote:
IMHO, batteries should not be left on a maintainer continuously. Hook your maintainer to a mechanical lamp timer and charger for about 4 hrs per day.
Everyone has opinions and we all know about the smell. Battery maintainers are just that, made to maintain the batteries during extended periods of non use. I've had batteries last as long as 12 years (boat) and 10-11 years on the trailer. Once the camping season ends, batteries go in the garage on the cement floor, connected to the maintainer full time until next spring.
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wa8yxm
Davison Michigan (East of Flint)
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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The battery needs to be fully charged. Fully charged it's good to very low temps (Well over 30 below) Fully discharged more like 32+
If you have power either a battery tender (Very low power smart charger) or plug it in and let the converter (if it's a 3-stage) do the job)
IF you choose to remove it to say your basement
First... Spray or paint the positive leads RED (Optional black on the negative) if they are not already.
Take pictures (Multiple)
When disconnecting.. If a terminal has more than one wire (Other than jumpers) Tie them together.
Wrap the positive wires with plastic wrap to insulat them (no need on negative)
Disconnect negative first
Take battery inside and set on a piece of scrap wood or in a plastic "Tub"
MYTH: if you set battery on cement it will ruin the battery.
Fact: If you set the battery on Cement, or any other flooring it MIGHT (no guarantee) ruin the floor.. But if you set it on scrap wood.. Well that's kind of low cost ![[emoticon]](https://forums.trailerlife.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile") (I mean it's scrap already).
And again I'd suggest a battery minder/tender (Two brands of same type of device)
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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Joined: 09/07/2010
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mkenyon2 wrote:I'd probably pull it inside and put it on a timer. Should I do a 1-Amp or more?
Anywhere from 1A-5A.
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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Joined: 09/07/2010
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Fisherman wrote: Once the camping season ends, batteries go in the garage on the cement floor, ...
GASP !! HOW CAN THIS BE !!!. ![[emoticon]](https://forums.trailerlife.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
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BarabooBob
Baraboo, WI
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Joined: 12/28/2015
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I have always left my batteries installed and attached to the Progressive Dynamics converter. It does a good job of maintaining the battery and I can use the TT as a personal getaway when I need some alone time.
After all, I bought it to take care of my batteries.
Bob & Dawn Married 32 years
2017 Viking 17RD
2011 Ford F150 3.5L Ecoboost 420 lb/ft
Retired
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MT BOB
Montana
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Joined: 03/02/2021
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BarabooBob wrote:I have always left my batteries installed and attached to the Progressive Dynamics converter. It does a good job of maintaining the battery and I can use the TT as a personal getaway when I need some alone time.
After all, I bought it to take care of my batteries.
Yep,the PD's with the de sulfate mode programming are very good to batteries, in my experience,also.
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olfarmer
Iowa
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Joined: 03/29/2006
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I keep all of my batteries that are not used much on battery maintainers, it seems like they last a lot longer if kept fully charged at all times! I do not take them out in the winter.
Ed & Ruby & the 2 cats
2001 Winnebago Brave 30W
7.4 gas Work Horse Chassis
99 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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mkenyon2
Lebanon, PA
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Joined: 06/08/2009
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So a few of you mentioned leaving them in place on the trailer with the trailer plugged in, to let that do the job of the maintainer. Could somebody elaborate? I haven't gotten to look into the inverter/power system much, but I do have some electrical understanding.
MK and my Wifey from PA
TV: 2011 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD (V6 3.5L/213)
Trailer: 2013 Heartland Trail Runner 25 SLE
We've only camped in 2 states? Quick, pack the trailer we have to CAMP!
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Gjac
Milford, CT
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Joined: 08/16/2006
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If you have a fully charged good battery just disconnect the negative post and recharge in spring. I have done this every year for the past 14 years. I just fully charged my batteries both chassis and my 2 6v GC house batteries this week when I winterized and will recharge in April. No need to keep a charger on all year. A fully charged battery will not freeze over the winter and has a very slow self discharge in cold weather.
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mkenyon2
Lebanon, PA
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Joined: 06/08/2009
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Here is the page for my Power Center:
https://wfcoelectronics.com/product/wf-8955-55-amp/
In the manual it says:
Three-Stage Smart Charging
In order to maximize battery life, it is best to charge batteries slowly, keep them topped off with a trickle-charge when the RV is not being used. The 3-Stage “smart” charger continuously measures the battery voltage output and regulates the amount of charge using three modes of operation; Absorption, Bulk and Float modes.
So, it sounds like I’m good with that? It sounds like just keep the RV plugged in and it should maintain the battery?
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