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Topic: Longterm Storage Prep? (Read 800 times) previous topic - next topic

Longterm Storage Prep?

Hi everyone!  For those who have been following our family journey, you may know that our family is planning to return to Hawaii in a week to serve as fulltime missionaries with the University of the Nation's at YWAM in Kona.  Because of this, we will no longer be RVing fulltime in the mainland and will be moving to more of a seasonal travel schedule.  Our hope is to be in Hawaii for the school year and then travel the mainland in the summer months.  We have been blessed with free heated garage space in Michigan to store our home on wheels while we are overseas but we want to make sure we prepare it well for the longterm storage.  We would be so grateful for any preparation tips you all could give us. 

Also, we just purchased $600+ dollars worth of starter batteries about two months ago and all seemed to be going well until a couple of days ago when we went to leave my parents' home after being parked there doing some renovations for a month (will post details on that soon!).  The coach was plugged into 20 amps out of my dad's garage the whole time, but when we went to start the coach our starters were completely dead.  I was terrified that we had just destroyed our brand new batteries.  Basically, we had our TriMetric control panel off the wall while we were painting so we didn't notice anything was wrong.  Then when we went to put the panel back on we noticed that it had stopped working altogether.  Don't know if these two somewhat related problems really have anything to do with each other.  We had been using 15 amp power before with the new batteries and they seemed to be staying charged just fine.  Why all of a sudden would the stop charging off of shore power?  It just makes me really nervous to leave the coach when I don't know why the batteries aren't charging and I have no diagnostics to let me know how they're doing.  Living as missionaries we can't really afford a $600 battery mistake.  Thank the Lord they have been working fine since my dad gave us a jump start. 

Any help you guys can give would be so great.  We are so thankful for this community.  Always there when we need some advice ❤️

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #1 –
Please tell us what means you have to charge the CHASSIS batteries from shore power.  OE there was none.

If currently plugged in, what are your voltage readings at chassis and at house batteries?

Also, what converter, charger or inverter/charger you have and whether you will have shore power where you store the coach.

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #2 –
If you disconnect the batteries, they will easily go through the winter and still have a full charge. No, won't freeze if charged. Summer can result in a faster discharge on some batteries. Our AGMs can sit on a shelf for over a year and still show 12.7V.

A problem if connected to shore power happens a lot. Power outage, shore cord getting unplugged, breaker tripping, etc. A couple of solar panels/chargers are never a bad idea. Independent of mistakes. Won't work if stored inside with no access to the sun.

Nice to block the coach up so the air bags are not compressed during storage. Air tires to maximum on sidewall, plus good to take a few thousand pounds off the tires with jack stands. Not off the ground but just to lighten the load a bit on the tires. If you can't do that, make sure all water/waste tanks are empty and canned goods, etc are out of the coach.

P

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Please tell us what means you have to charge the CHASSIS batteries from shore power.  OE there was none.

If currently plugged in, what are your voltage readings at chassis and at house batteries?

Also, what converter, charger or inverter/charger you have and whether you will have shore power where you store the coach.
We have a heart interface inverter charger.  Honestly, I have no clue what charges those starter batteries.  I always thought it was the inverter charger that did that.  All I know is that when we are plugged in to shore power the trimetric display shows the battery percentage level as it recharges and the voltage of both the coach and starter batteries.  We will have probably basic household power in the pole barn to stay plugged in. 

Also, what about fuel?  Do we need to use up most of the fuel and store it empty or what?  We will definitely make sure the holding tanks are emptied.

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #4 –
No the inverter charger does not charge the start batteries. You need a trickle charger for that.  I would unplug them this year and let them sit disconnected.  Put on trickle charger next year.  also I would fill my tank with fuel put in conditioner and biocide as well.  Empty the water and waste tanks. I would also blow out the lines at least and remember to empty out the hot water heater. If you lose power for and the garage freezes you will have some protection that way.  If it was me I would put the pink stuff in and winterize it just in case.

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #5 –
Don't worry about the weight of diesel. Much more dangerous to try to empty the tanks and store it somewhere. Just a hydraulic jack to raise it an inch so a HD jack stand will just fit underneath the Ibeam on each side and the rear axle if you can. Should only take ten minutes or so for the whole coach. Again, not lifting the tires off the ground.

John has it on the biocide.

Pierce

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: John S –
No the inverter charger does not charge the start batteries. You need a trickle charger for that.  I would unplug them this year and let them sit disconnected.  Put on trickle charger next year.  also I would fill my tank with fuel put in conditioner and biocide as well.  Empty the water and waste tanks. I would also blow out the lines at least and remember to empty out the hot water heater. If you lose power for and the garage freezes you will have some protection that way.  If it was me I would put the pink stuff in and winterize it just in case.
Well gosh...so all these years our starter batteries have just been draining every time we aren't driving for a bit?  never knew that.  All the previous owner told us was that we weren't supposed to let the percentage get below 50% on the trimetric.  Here I always assumed that's all I needed to know...lol.  So that reading must only be for the coach batteries then?  I guess this is the first time that we have gone that long without driving the coach. 

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
If you disconnect the batteries, they will easily go through the winter and still have a full charge. No, won't freeze if charged. Summer can result in a faster discharge on some batteries. Our AGMs can sit on a shelf for over a year and still show 12.7V.

A problem if connected to shore power happens a lot. Power outage, shore cord getting unplugged, breaker tripping, etc. A couple of solar panels/chargers are never a bad idea. Independent of mistakes. Won't work if stored inside with no access to the sun.

Nice to block the coach up so the air bags are not compressed during storage. Air tires to maximum on sidewall, plus good to take a few thousand pounds off the tires with jack stands. Not off the ground but just to lighten the load a bit on the tires. If you can't do that, make sure all water/waste tanks are empty and canned goods, etc are out of the coach.

P
Sorry...I don't know the technical terms, but when you say block up the coach, you mean putting jacks under the axles?  Do we need to do anything special with the hwh leveling system?

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Don't worry about the weight of diesel. Much more dangerous to try to empty the tanks and store it somewhere. Just a hydraulic jack to raise it an inch so a HD jack stand will just fit underneath the Ibeam on each side and the rear axle if you can. Should only take ten minutes or so for the whole coach. Again, not lifting the tires off the ground.

John has it on the biocide.

Pierce
What kind of jacks do we need?  I would assume they would have to be pretty heavy to hold this thing up.  Not sure we can afford them this year...we might just have to go with reducing as much weight as possible and maybe next year purchase the jacks.

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #9 –
This is really SO SO helpful, guys.  Thanks so much for keeping us informed on things we wish we knew all about  :))

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #10 –
Quote
Well gosh...so all these years our starter batteries have just been draining every time we aren't driving for a bit?

Trent,
  As others have noted your inverter-charger doesn't charge the start batteries. However, I installed a Trik-L-Start device which is designed to steal a bit of the house battery charging current to keep the start batteries charged. Your start batteries shouldn't be going dead if that device is still working.

Also, I wired that Trimetric to display the start battery voltage as well as the coach battery voltage. The start batteries are designated B-2. The green LED on the Trimetric shows which battery bank is being read.
jor

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #11 –
We are talking about two different things here.

Safety stands to take the weight off the airbags:

Safety Stands On Sale!

Jacking up coach.  You only need one jack and some good large hardwood blocks.  These go under the axles and take some of the weight off the tires.

I would winterize the coach just in case you loose heat.

Trickle charger on the start batteries and let the on-board charger take care of the house batteries when plugged in to shore power.  I would disconnect both sets of batteries just in case you loose shore power as there is a parasitic drain on them at all times.

Give the coach a good clean both inside and out.

Keith

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: jor –
Trent,
  As others have noted your inverter-charger doesn't charge the start batteries. However, I installed a Trik-L-Start device which is designed to steal a bit of the house battery charging current to keep the start batteries charged. Your start batteries shouldn't be going dead if that device is still working.

Also, I wired that Trimetric to display the start battery voltage as well as the coach battery voltage. The start batteries are designated B-2. The green LED on the Trimetric shows which battery bank is being read.
jor
Hi JOR!!!  So good to hear from you!  How are you and Judy doing these days?  Did you get another Foretravel?  I know you'd been looking for a smaller one or something...

So I'm not going crazy for thinking that the trimetric showed both then...lol.  Okay...so we need to get to the bottom of why the trickle charge isn't working then.  Where can I find that to check it out?  And any idea what might have cause the trimetric to stop working all together?  I never even disconnected it, just kinda left it dangling while I painted around the hole and now it's not working.  ::)

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Walkerfam7 –
Hi JOR!!!  So good to hear from you!  How are you and Judy doing these days?  Did you get another Foretravel?  I know you'd been looking for a smaller one or something...

So I'm not going crazy for thinking that the trimetric showed both then...lol.  Okay...so we need to get to the bottom of why the trickle charge isn't working then.  Where can I find that to check it out?  And any idea what might have cause the trimetric to stop working all together?  I never even disconnected it, just kinda left it dangling while I painted around the hole and now it's not working.  ::)
Whoops...just saw your pic...of course you have a pic because you're amazing.  We are landing in Ludington, MI in just a few minutes and will go check that out and see if we can figure out whats going on.

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #14 –
Send me a PM with your email if you need photos. The Trimetric has a shunt located in the battery compartment. It's got some tiny wires one of which may have come loose. It also has a buss fuse there which may have blown. In addition, there is a Trimetric wire at the start batteries which also has an in-line fuse. Both of those wires are labeled "Trimetric." Finally, I suppose the little plug on the Trimetric gauge could have come loose.
jor

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #15 –
Check voltage at both battery banks with a digital voltmeter after being plugged in for a day or two.

Tell us what you find.

For diesel:  Add a biocide and anti-gel (PM brand at Walmarts) and fill the diesel tank FULL.

A common biocide-- you can find at any marine store, as boats have issues with storing diesel as well: Biobor JF Diesel

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #16 –
I wouldn't worry about the jacking business.  Just letting the coach settle on the tires won't hurt anything.  Winterize the water system with antifreeze-don't take a chance on freezing, fully charge all batteries and disconnect them.

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #17 –
The only reliable way to insure all the batteries stay charged is what the entire industry has changed to.

An auto combiner.  Mounts where the isolator was.

Totally dead reduces capacity.  A desulfurization device on the engine batteries while you are gone should restore them.

If your house batteries are AGM another device could help them also while gone.

Tiny power loss.  But over time would run them down. 

Can the coach be powered?

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #18 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
The only reliable way to insure all the batteries stay charged is what the entire industry has changed to.

An auto combiner.  Mounts where the isolator was.

Totally dead reduces capacity.  A desulfurization device on the engine batteries while you are gone should restore them.

If your house batteries are AGM another device could help them also while gone.

Tiny power loss.  But over time would run them down. 

Can the coach be powered?
Reply 3 he has power

Re: Longterm Storage Prep?

Reply #19 –
With power the combiner is a no brainer IMO. 
I have bought two sets of engine batteries from small chargers failure in storage.