Community Forums

Breezy2006 · 12-12-2024, 06:38 AM

We have access to a garage which will be without power for a month (in FL so no freezing temps) so I plan to turn off the salesman switch (house system) and chassis breakers AND disconnect the negative side of both banks of batteries (chassis and house) so they do not drain. Any pointers from others with Newmar coaches on this process? Thanks

Urbanhermit · 12-12-2024, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breezy2006

We have access to a garage which will be without power for a month (in FL so no freezing temps) so I plan to turn off the salesman switch (house system) and chassis breakers AND disconnect the negative side of both banks of batteries (chassis and house) so they do not drain. Any pointers from others with Newmar coaches on this process? Thanks

Monaco owner, but I think you've covered it for the electrical systems. I'm in the FL panhandle and we do have a couple of hard-freeze nights every so often. I'd only add fully charge the batteries before you shut down and top off the water if they're wet cell.

jaydee325 · 12-12-2024, 10:25 AM

What charger/inverter do you have. Read the manual either way concerning disconnecting batteries.

I have a Magnum charger/inverter and that requires disconnecting the positive side of the batteries first to prevent the unit from seeking a ground internally and doing expensive damage.

twojayhawks · 12-12-2024, 10:26 AM

You can just use the chassis cutoff switch in your chassis battery bay instead of disconnecting.

Mr. T · 12-12-2024, 04:02 PM

How long are you storing it for?
If you have your generator set right it will fire up and recharge the batteries.

Urbanhermit · 12-13-2024, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydee325

What charger/inverter do you have. Read the manual either way concerning disconnecting batteries.

I have a Magnum charger/inverter and that requires disconnecting the positive side of the batteries first to prevent the unit from seeking a ground internally and doing expensive damage.

Yowee!! I've always disconnected the negative first as the standard safety procedure and for one reason or another -- Murphy Battery Jinx -- I've done that often, but I guess having the master switches off when I do has saved my bacon and my Magnum.

MRUSA14 · 12-13-2024, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. T

How long are you storing it for?
If you have your generator set right it will fire up and recharge the batteries.

Running the generator in a closed garage will fill it with deadly CO gas. Don’t do that, someone could die.

C.Martin · 12-13-2024, 08:48 AM

What Bob Said!!!

If your coach has a ME-AGS and/or ME-BMK...they can be damaged if you disconnect the negative going to the Inverter. If the Inverter is still connected to the battery positive and the ground is disconnected...the inverter may seek alternative route to ground thru these sensitive peripheals.

At you own risk...

CHASSIS: turn off battery switch in battery compartment.

HOUSE:

1) Turn Inverter OFF
2) Turn Charger OFF
3) Toggle salesman switch into Storage mode

4) Remove Inverter POSITIVE cable from catastrophic (350A) or (375A) fuse, wrap mettalic surface with electrical tape. Make sure the end going to the battery is secure and cannot come loose and touch the frame or other wires.

5) Now you can take a photo of the connections. And identify the Negative bank connection. You will need to identify and remove the HOUSE NEG, the Frame Ground, and the Inverter NEG. Use a piece of foam, cardboard or towel to cover portions of the bank you aren't working on to prevent shorting a wrench or cable where it may cause arcing.

Make sure you do a full charge before doing all of this. The lower your batteries are...the more suceptible they are to freezing the electrolyte causing permanent damage. Freezing point varies with specific gravity of the electolyte.

Reconnect in the reverse order. And verify proper charging again as soon as feasible.

If your coach has solar...then you may need to follow additional steps to isolate it properly.

ViperJD · 12-14-2024, 07:16 AM

Probably won't get the hard freeze in Florida, but use an attachment to blow your wster lines dry, as if winterizing. Will save mold build up. I do this all the time in AZ. As for batteries, i do not disconnect the cables, but turn off both battery bank switches, the inverter and battery charger. This disconnects 90% of the load, and monthly i run my genny for an hour, to recharge batteiries (all switches back on). No issues yet.

SafariBen · 12-14-2024, 11:48 AM

In a garage and in part of Fl with no freezing temps, I'll take your word that the water will be fine. If the water is fine, the battery is NOT freezing. Colder temps are good for batteries, lower discharge rate, and less aging. Sulfation is the danger of a battery sitting at less than full charge, not an issue if it's reasonably charged and disconnected for a month. Ideally each parallel negative terminal is disconnected, but at least the grounds. Two 6v in series only need the grounded one disconnected, not the jumper between them.

MN_Traveler · 12-15-2024, 08:46 AM

I know a number of newmar coaches do NOT fully disconnect the chassis batteries via the chassis cutoff switch. To fully isolate you will need to disconnect at the battery terminal

Joedoggs · 12-15-2024, 10:02 AM

Be careful if disconnecting the batteries that you do that as well as when reconnecting in the proper sequence…I will also add that if you do not disconnect the batteries but rather flip the battery cutoffs you will likely still have substantial draw so it may be a good idea to check the state of charge after a couple weeks and run the generator if approaching 50% state of charge…….running batteries below 50% generally is not good…..Joe b