Community Forums

cwj212 · 11-12-2014, 07:02 PM

I plan on storing our MH here in Florida for 2 months till we return for the winter. I was planning on disconnecting the chassis battery so it won't draw down dead. I am certain that it will do so even with the disconnect switch off. My question is what problems may this cause with the engine computer? I won't have power available to keep a trickle charger on it in storage.

Thanks,
Craig and Joan

LVJ58 · 11-12-2014, 10:12 PM

Will your coach be stored in a covered storage area?

georgetown350 · 11-13-2014, 03:05 AM

I use the battery disconnect all the time even while camping. The computer bipasses the disconnect as it is wired directly to the battery on our coach. I have also removed the chassis batteries for storage on occasion. It doesnt harm the computer. Everthing resets with a bit of driving.

Hikerdogs · 11-13-2014, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwj212

I plan on storing our MH here in Florida for 2 months till we return for the winter. I was planning on disconnecting the chassis battery so it won't draw down dead. I am certain that it will do so even with the disconnect switch off. My question is what problems may this cause with the engine computer? I won't have power available to keep a trickle charger on it in storage.

Thanks,
Craig and Joan

There will be no negative effects as a result of disconnecting the chassis battery. About the only thing you'll notice is that the radio stations may need to be reset, and the dash clock will start at 12:00 when you reattach the cable.

The PCM (powertrain control module) will loose the learned memory, but that won't even be noticeable. It'll take a couple hundred miles of use before all your driving habits are relearned.

We disconnected the chassis battery in our 2001 Adventurer (on the F53 chassis) for months at a time in the 12+ years we owned it. There were never any problems associated with disconnecting it. We use the built in battery disconnect switch on our 2013 Adventurer when it's stored. We leave it in the garage 2 - 3 months at a time with no loss of battery power.

I believe the only thing that remains powered up is the PCM memory. Everything else is shut off.

cwj212 · 11-13-2014, 07:24 AM

Ok, thanks. That's what I'll do. I have used the disconnect on our 2010 Suncruiser and it helps but the chassis battery will still run down flat. I don't want to take a chance on a dead battery when we get back.

Craig and Joan
2010 Itasca Suncrusier

AKJohn · 11-14-2014, 08:09 AM

I store my HM in Arizona all summer (almost seven months). All I do is disconnect the negative side of the battery. No problems, the engine starts right up. I top off the battery with distilled water right before storing it. The worst thing for a flooded battery is high heat which shouldn't be too much of a problem this time of year. You might want to do a load test or check your battery with a hydrometer before you put it in storage. If your MH is a 2010 it means your battery went into service in 2009. It might be reaching the end of it's service life. Replacing it now might save you some hassle when you get back.

cwj212 · 11-14-2014, 09:28 AM

Thanks for the good advice. I will top it off prior to storing. I put a new battery in this summer so it should be good to go.

Craig and Joan
2010 Itasca Suncrusier