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11-25-2015, 09:19 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 128
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To store batteries or not to store
Wondering if I should pull and store just the engine battery for winter.
Or pull and store Engine battery and two deep cycle coach batteries for winter.
Or none?
Live in Saint Paul MN. Gets pretty cold here. Last year I just left the rig plugged in and occasionally started and ran the engine and generator for a while. Seemed to be fine. But wondering if the batteries will last longer if stored for winter in above freezing temps.
__________________
Current (4th) RV: 1996 Coachmen Catalina Class C 22 ft
Previous RV's: 1978 Itasca Suncruiser Class A 22 ft; 2001 Jayco Eagle Class C 28 ft; 1989 Winnebago Warrior Class C 27 ft
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11-25-2015, 09:38 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 110
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dano726
Wondering if I should pull and store just the engine battery for winter.
Or pull and store Engine battery and two deep cycle coach batteries for winter.
Or none?
Live in Saint Paul MN. Gets pretty cold here. Last year I just left the rig plugged in and occasionally started and ran the engine and generator for a while. Seemed to be fine. But wondering if the batteries will last longer if stored for winter in above freezing temps.
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Well it's best if you can take them inside the house or heated garage or basement . They will last aslot longer if u take them out completely.
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11-25-2015, 09:52 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Triple E Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Oakbank, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 282
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I am north of you in Manitoba. I pull all of my batteries every winter.
__________________
1999 Triple E Commander 3503FS on 20,500 F53.
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11-25-2015, 09:58 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RodK
I am north of you in Manitoba. I pull all of my batteries every winter.
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Do you start your generator occasionally in the winter and if so, how?
__________________
Current (4th) RV: 1996 Coachmen Catalina Class C 22 ft
Previous RV's: 1978 Itasca Suncruiser Class A 22 ft; 2001 Jayco Eagle Class C 28 ft; 1989 Winnebago Warrior Class C 27 ft
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11-26-2015, 06:19 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Wasilla Alaska
Posts: 284
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Lead acid batteries in good condition will not be damaged by cold temps. They will not freeze. Batteries are much more susceptible to damage by hot temps. Starting your MH engine and and or generator letting it idle for a while is worse than not starting it at all. If you start your generator you should run it with an electrical load for an hour or two. If you start our MH engine you should drive it for at least a half hour. These subjects have been discussed many times on this forum and elsewhere. You will find lots of information on these subjects on the web.
__________________
John and Karen
2012 Thor Challenger 36FD
2013 Fiat 500 Toad
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11-26-2015, 06:59 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: The Bluegrass State
Posts: 8,889
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AKJohn
Lead acid batteries in good condition will not be damaged by cold temps. They will not freeze. Batteries are much more susceptible to damage by hot temps. Starting your MH engine and and or generator letting it idle for a while is worse than not starting it at all. If you start your generator you should run it with an electrical load for an hour or two. If you start our MH engine you should drive it for at least a half hour. These subjects have been discussed many times on this forum and elsewhere. You will find lots of information on these subjects on the web.
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__________________
Good Luck, Be Safe and Above All, Don't Forget To Have Fun 
Pete
Central Kentucky
2006 Fleetwood Discovery 35H, 2014 Honda CR-V, M&G Engineering Braking System
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11-26-2015, 07:07 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 33
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AKJohn\Bigd9
You two aren't serious, right ?!?!
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11-26-2015, 07:18 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,310
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dano726
Wondering if I should pull and store just the engine battery for winter.
Or pull and store Engine battery and two deep cycle coach batteries for winter.
Or none?
Live in Saint Paul MN. Gets pretty cold here. Last year I just left the rig plugged in and occasionally started and ran the engine and generator for a while. Seemed to be fine. But wondering if the batteries will last longer if stored for winter in above freezing temps.
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Do you have a converter/battery maintainer that keeps the batteries charged while it is plugged in? If so, make sure the water level is OK, plug it in........and check the water levels in the batteries half way through the winter on a nice day. As far as starting things when it is outside/cold.......to run it -No. Let it just sleep till spring, or if you have a preference to start things and run them.......that is your choice of course.
__________________
2012 Essex 4544 2011 Jeep JK, M&G Braking, 2014 MTI 27' Hog Hauler, Wireless brake control, 2006 Ultra & 1989 Springer, 2003 Harley-Davidson
FLHR Road King Anniversary
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11-26-2015, 10:35 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 1,857
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Clean the tops of all your batteries, check electrolyte levels. Then fully charge the batteries. Then disconnect the ground leads and leave the batteries in the coach until spring. You are not doing the batteries any favor by putting them in a heated area. Cold temps actually slow the self discharge that is a characteristic of lead acid batteries.
Also don't run your engine or generator unless you are going to really give them some use.
__________________
2010 Winnebago Journey Express 34Y
2010 Freightliner XCS (mfd 9/'09)
'07 Saturn Vue V6
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11-26-2015, 01:13 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: The Bluegrass State
Posts: 8,889
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BCRacing24
AKJohn\Bigd9
You two aren't serious, right ?!?!
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Not sure I understand the question.
__________________
Good Luck, Be Safe and Above All, Don't Forget To Have Fun
Pete
Central Kentucky
2006 Fleetwood Discovery 35H, 2014 Honda CR-V, M&G Engineering Braking System
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11-26-2015, 01:55 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Palisade CO
Posts: 3,588
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A few years ago we inherited a 3000 tree CO peach orchard with a number of pieces of farm equipment. I bought two Battery Minder float chargers. Each one will handle 4 batteries at one time. I pulled the batteries from all of the equipment except the big tractor and connected the Battery Minder to it via a connector. Everything was in an unheated outbuilding. It gets down to -20 F or less sometimes here. Worked fine for several years before we sold the orchard.
__________________
Clay WA5NMR - Ex Snowbird - 1 year, Ex Full timer for 11 years - 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N Workhorse chassis. Honda Accord toad.
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11-26-2015, 03:41 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Triple E Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Oakbank, Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 282
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dano726
Do you start your generator occasionally in the winter and if so, how?
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No I just let it sit for the winter. It can get really cold here and occasional running can just cause condensation problems. So far no problems doing this.
__________________
1999 Triple E Commander 3503FS on 20,500 F53.
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11-26-2015, 05:40 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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Well... When I did the winter storage I did a bit of research.
First Damon gave me a Progressive Dynamics 9180 with wizard.. I better converter is not, far as I can tell, made (And I looked hard)
Second.. I had power to the storage pad.
So I just plugged in and let the 9100 plus the BIRD take care of things. Which it did very well.
Now that I'm full time. Storage is no longer an issue.
IF you have power but a not-so-good converter (say a Parallex 7300) or not BIRD or equal.. Horrible Freight has a nice little auto-float job.. Bit anemic for the house but might just keep em up Or a Battery Minder, or Battery Tender (Somewhat larger and more expensive)
__________________
Home is where I park it!
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11-27-2015, 06:08 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 33
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To store batteries or not to store
BigD9
Starting your MH engine & generator and allowing them to idle for awhile is worse than Not starting all winter.....
I don't agree with that at all.
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