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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / December 2005Remove batteries for winter??
I've read some saying remove 'em, some saying they'll be OK if fully charged. I'm in Canada, in an area where we can expect weeks of below freezing temps. \ I'm not sure of the condition of the batteries. If I do bring them in is it OK to store them in the basement, should I put a charger on them? There is no power available where my 5er will be stored, and it's not very convenient to visit for the 5 or six months it'll be there. TIA, Tim. > I've read some saying remove 'em, some saying they'll be OK if fully > charged. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > There is no power available where my 5er will be stored, and it's not very > convenient to visit for the 5 or six months it'll be there. If not connected to a trickle charger ( automatic type to prevent overcharge) batteries in storage need to be brought to full charge once a month. Regards, Barry > I've read some saying remove 'em, some saying they'll be OK if fully > charged. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > convenient to visit for the 5 or six months it'll be there. > TIA, Tim. Here's the ultimate source about EVERYTHING to do with batteries: http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq13.htm#store Another way of being kind to your batteries is to take them to Florida 'till April! 8>) Ichabod from New Hampsha Actually, lead-acid batteries sulfate faster in warm temperatures. The secret to preventing sulfation (and freezing) is to keep the batteries fully charged. Kindest regards, BiLL....... >> I've read some saying remove 'em, some saying they'll be OK if fully >> charged. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >Ichabod from New Hampsha Here is a link with more info on batteries and their maintenance: http://www.batteryfaq.org > Actually, lead-acid batteries sulfate faster in warm temperatures. > The secret to preventing sulfation (and freezing) is to keep the [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] >> >>Ichabod from New Hampsha > I've read some saying remove 'em, some saying they'll be OK if fully > charged. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > convenient to visit for the 5 or six months it'll be there. > TIA, Tim. If I were you I would move up in the technology that fits your situation. You should have gel filled maintenance free batteries (Sealed AGM). Here is an example of the batteries, you will have to navigate around the web page to find one that will fit your rig. http://www.ebatteriestogo.com/RV_Batteries.htm Again I am not endorsing any of these companies, I don't even know if they are going to get my batteries to me or not. You should not confine the lead acid battery in the basement. I assume your home is like others up north and have the furnace in the basement, to place the battery down there could be hazardous. Of course unless it was one that you do not have to vent. But make sure your charger is one of the new smart ones that will automatically drop off until a charge is needed. Like this one, Schumacher, Ship'N Shore, 10 amp automatic, it cuts back after the battery is charged to alternating off and on at 2amps, maintaining the battery.  SignatureBILL P. Just Dog & ME > > If I were you I would move up in the technology that fits your > situation. You should have gel filled maintenance free batteries (Sealed > AGM). Here is an example of the batteries, you will have to navigate > around the web page to find one that will fit your rig. > http://www.ebatteriestogo.com/RV_Batteries.htm Gel cells and AGM batteries are not the same. The gel cells use a gelatin like substance instead of liquid water in the cells. AGMs have the electrolite absorded in a glass mat that is placed between the cells. SignatureJon JPinOH >>>If I were you I would move up in the technology that fits your >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > like substance instead of liquid water in the cells. AGMs have the > electrolite absorded in a glass mat that is placed between the cells. Didn't mean to mislead you on the gel and AGM batteries, I wouldn't have provided the link that tells you that there is a difference. What I did indicate was that you can get a maintenance free battery in them. But this leads me in to another problem. I have a Belkin UPS 700VA battery backup that my computer is connected to. This handy little component provides power in the event of shore power failure. It has its own recharge capability but what sine wave power does it require and what type of battery is it, an AGM? Hopefully, because I have it under one of the seat boards in the kitchenette booth, not really vented. SignatureBILL P. 2004, 2500 SLT Quad Cab, Dodge Ram, SLT, SWB, 2WD, 5.9 HO Turbo Diesel, 48RE Auto Trans, Anti-Spin 3.73 Dif.Rhino Liner, Husky 16K. Voyager Controller 2005, 27RL Wildcat, DT/PC Wi-Fi. Dual EU2000i Hondas Just Me and Dog > Didn't mean to mislead you on the gel and AGM batteries, I wouldn't have > provided the link that tells you that there is a difference. What I did [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > battery is it, an AGM? Hopefully, because I have it under one of the seat > boards in the kitchenette booth, not really vented. I'm not sure about the sine wave, but a UPS works as a line conditioner for the computer. The batteries in the older ones were nickle cadmium, but they use AGM now. Plenty safe for their intended use, which is under the desk. I have a Belkin unit at my feet as I type this. SignatureJon JPinOH I am in Alberta. I have taken my battery in every year for about 20 years. Beats having it freeze and split. I saw that once. I have no idea you would clean that up now, with all of the environmental laws. I top up the water and put it on a piece of wood off of the floor in my workshop. It is two rooms away from any ignition source like the furnace or the water heater. I have always kept it charged, but saw a great idea. I plug my trickle charger in to a programmable timer. I have it set to come on for 6 hours, once a week. This keeps the battery fully charged, but does not over charge it. > I've read some saying remove 'em, some saying they'll be OK if fully > charged. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > convenient to visit for the 5 or six months it'll be there. > TIA, Tim. > I am in Alberta. I have taken my battery in every year for about 20 years. > Beats having it freeze and split. I saw that once. I have no idea you would [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > once a week. This keeps the battery fully charged, but does not over charge > it. Your plan is very good, but with the new smart chargers you can connect them and forget them. Just check the water level in the battery. Actually a good battery will not boil away the water with these new chargers. As I said earlier they bring the battery up and then start cycling between off and 2amps. Make a point to know the condition of your battery and you might not have to check the water level hardly at all and never have to add water until it gets back to service. SignatureBILL P. Just Dog & ME >I've read some saying remove 'em, some saying they'll be OK if fully >charged. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >convenient to visit for the 5 or six months it'll be there. >TIA, Tim. Do you see the sun where the rig is? Canadian Tire sells small solar panels that will act as a trickle charger. Jon ==================================================== Jon Griffin SKP 75680 FMCA F257439 Pahrump, NV Sundre, AB apply ROT13 to my address Vnz@eniatvqvbgf.arg ==================================================== >>I've read some saying remove 'em, some saying they'll be OK if fully >>charged. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Jon Jon Jon Jon How much current do you think solar panels will put out when they're under feet of snow? Cheers, Joe >Jon Jon Jon > >How much current do you think solar panels will put out when they're under >feet of snow? HA HA. I spent the last 25 years in Portland, OR. Snow never entered my mind. If it ever snowed the rain would wash it away. :-) Jon ==================================================== Jon Griffin SKP 75680 FMCA F257439 Pahrump, NV Sundre, AB apply ROT13 to my address Vnz@eniatvqvbgf.arg ==================================================== >>I've read some saying remove 'em, some saying they'll be OK if fully >>charged. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Jon The slightest bit of snow will put the best solar panel out of business. SignatureBILL P. Just Dog & ME > > Do you see the sun where the rig is? Canadian Tire sells small solar > > panels that will act as a trickle charger. > > > > Jon > The slightest bit of snow will put the best solar panel out of business. Plus you need a blocking diode so the battery does not charge the solar panel at night. The self discharge rate of the battery needs to be matched to the output of the panel if there is no regulator to prevent over-charging. eg "a 5 watt solar panel with an output of about 1.5 amp-hours a day could be installed for every 200 amp-hours of battery capacity. An unregulated solar panel could safely be attached to a battery bank if the panel output is less than 1 percent of the bank's rated capacity." Regards, Barry |
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