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Topic: Winterizing batteries (Read 397 times) previous topic - next topic

Winterizing batteries

New owner of a 2000 U295 foretravel motorhome
Leaving motorhome in Boise idaho (milder temperatures)this winter and living in Kalispell  Montanalol
...Would it be safe to leave it plugged in to keep the 3 house batteries changed with the inverter
...will leaving the boost switch on also keep the 2 starting batteries charged
Coach will be covered and will be checked monthly
Any feedback would be appreciated
Al Rogers

Re: Winterizing batteries

Reply #1 –
Al,

I would not plan on leaving the boost switch on 24/7.  I would hard wire a jumper (several easy places to do it) between the banks.

Battery isolator is one easy place.  Boost solenoid is another.

No idea if this is enough protection for the batteries-- live in south Texas, so have never winterized.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Winterizing batteries

Reply #2 –
Batteries are fine as long as they are charged. Dead batteries will freeze when it's cold enough. They water system needs to be drained
and maybe antifreeze. I don't winterize my coach as I use it more in the winter than the summer as I go skiing every week. I keep it warm all the time
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Winterizing batteries

Reply #3 –
Rogersa,
My coach winters here in Montana and, after the water winterizing process, I have the thing plugged in and use a solar panel to keep the engine batteries topped up.
An easier way would be to get a Float Charger and fit it to the engine batteries and plug it in to an outlet at the back such as the engine bay??  Or, run an extension cord from the main plug in point on the other side.  As has already been said don't leave the Boost switch on 24/7.
I hope you are going to winterize the water system as Idaho is not much warmer than here unless you are a lucky one with a heated barn to put it in??
Speedbird 1.
2001 U320 Build #5865
Daihatsu Rocky Toad
VW Touareg
'82 F100 Stepside
Beech' Debonair

Re: Winterizing batteries

Reply #4 –
I've never "winterized" batteries and have never had a problem in Ohio winters. I just make sure they are properly charged, and they have been fine. Constant charging is not required; just periodically make sure they are charged.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Winterizing batteries

Reply #5 –
Quote from: speedbird1 –
  As has already been said don't leave the Boost switch on 24/7.
X3......If the coach is going to stored year after year, a charger that will trickle both banks (even off 30 amps) would be my suggestion. We have a system such as that (True Charge 40), and it is amazing how it gently it keeps the batteries up to snuff!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Winterizing batteries

Reply #6 –
A Small 10 amp smart charger for each bank.

Used to tell customers to plug in the old non smart chargers into a timer that would only turn them on for a few hours every few days
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4