Dead Battery - RV-Dreams Community Forum

DreamerBob · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dead Battery

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bob,

You definitely will want the batteries at full charge if you are going to winter over. I have forgotten so much about batteries since I don't deal with them much anymore, but I think a nice slow trickle charge to recharge them would be best. That way, they will get a better, fuller charge. I'm sure some others will come along and give you much better information. My experience goes way back to lead-acid batteries.

Terry

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bob:

Yes, sorry to report that discharging batteries below 50% of rated amp hour capacity is not a good idea as to life expectancy. Leaving them totally “flat,” well that’s about as bad as it gets. Sorry

If you have no power available at the rig the best thing to do is take them out of the rig and bring them someplace where you can keep them relatively warm (i.e. not below freezing) and on a quality trickle charger if at all possible after fully charging them.

If they are totally discharged and you don’t have power at the rig it might be a good idea to take them to a garage and have them re-charged – if possible – on a quality charger. Perhaps they can be salvaged. But batteries should be stored fully charged and definitely not outside in the cold without some kind of quality charger on them.

If you have power at the rig, leave the rig’s 12volt charger on after they have been fully charged. The rig’s charger may re-charge them just fine and as good as possible under these circumstances. Be sure and check the water level in the batteries before charging and make sure they are not frozen. If fully charged and charge is maintained they can survive in below freezing temps but I would prefer they be kept in a warmer environment personally.

It’s not a bad idea to check on the water (electrolyte) level at least every two weeks.

Sorry for the bad news. But this is chemistry.

Bill

rv-vagabond · RV-Dreams Community Member

If you choose to charge the batteries on your own you will probably need a charger with both auto and manual modes. Place the charger ifrst in manual mode for little while to break off the lead sulfate from the plates. Once you get the buildup off switch over to auto mode to charge your batteries. I use a Century K3153-1 charger.

www.centurytool.net/K3153_1_Century_15_2_100_Amp_6_12_Battery_Charger_p/k3153-1.htm