Community Forums

empty_nest · 08-23-2017, 05:46 AM

So, we recently purchased a 34' Gasser MH. The unit has 2 house batteries and 1 cranking battery.

In our 5'r, I just pulled the house battery and brought inside for winter storage. I do the same with the 4 batteries in my boat.

I'm wondering if I should just do the same with the MH batteries, so not to have to worry about leaving it plugged in all winter and monitoring the batteries. Seems safer to me. This will be our first winter with the MH so I'm wondering how you more experienced class A owners handle it. If everything goes according to plan, this will be the only winter that I have to worry about that. Thanks.

Soppy · 08-23-2017, 06:01 AM

With mine , I just leave the batteries in and connected . I will plug the motor home in for a day every couple of months to charge the batteries. its an older motor home and there is very little draw on them.
If they are fully charged you can disconnect them and they will be good for about 8 months without charging. No need to bring them in the house. I do the same with my boat.

60sumtin · 08-23-2017, 06:06 AM

You'll likely get various opinions on this subject. As for myself I either remove the battery/batteries or leave it place with a smart charger left attached to it. A battery disconnect switch helps guard against parasitic draw but a battery will still slowly self discharge over time. If left too long without a re-charge it could get to the point where some damage is done. My travel trailer is stored where there's no shore power so I remove the batteries, bring them home, and attach a small Battery Tender Jr. to each one. There are other brands but that's what I use. The same goes for the motorcycle only I don't have to remove it as its parked in the garage for the winter. The smart chargers are smart enough that I don't need to keep checking them.

brokenrule · 08-24-2017, 09:48 AM

Mine is stored outside. I use a small dashboard solar charger/maintenance unit and plug it into the dashboard power outlet. I use a 5w battery tender solar panel in the side window for the coach batteries. I also installed a switch for the propane alarm. Check the water every three months. So far so good.