Disconnect Battery

[Ascape Artists]

Do I remove the battery from my Aliner Ascape for winter? If so I’m taking all advice as to how I do this. Ascape has been plugged into dedicated 20 amp circuit outside outlet since I parked it a month ago, my belief was this would keep battery full. Tell me what to do you will not hurt my feelings. Thanks in advance.

 

[Domo]

If wet cell and in relatively good condition and fully charged, simply disconnect the (+) and enjoy the holidays... Here's some info for poorly maintained batteries and ones that are fully discharged. Emphasis is on the fully charged in your case. You might wish to consider that many batteries are stored in unheated warehouse around the country for years.

The ideal storage temperature for wet cell (flooded lead-acid) batteries is typically around 10-15°C (50-59°F), with some sources suggesting up to 27°C (80.6°F) for optimal conditions. It is crucial to avoid freezing temperatures, as a fully discharged wet cell battery can freeze at 0°C (32°F), while a fully charged one can withstand temperatures down to -33°F (-36°C) or even below -80°F (-62°C).

And, here's a good link for some idle reading with the morning coffee... - Click here -

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

My take on it is belt and suspenders - disconnect from the RV and put a tender on it. Checks the box for most every unanticipated event.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Larry N.]

When I had a small trailer many years ago, I just kept it plugged in all year around, except when I was on a trip. I had no battery trouble in the four years I owned that Trailmanor. I've done the same with the motorhomes I've owned since then, and the only battery problem was on the used Beaver I had, where the previous owner hadn't taken good care, but it wasn't helped by the rather restricted battery access. But none of that problem had to do with plugged in or not, or storage issues.

Just my take.

 

[Derby6]

AK trailer: I take mine out every winter and put them in my shop.
Lower 48 fiver: In storage with no access to power or warm place to store them. I disconnect to ensure no small draw kills them and then they freeze. So far so good.

 

[Arch Hoagland]

Where is Beverly? Did you mean Beverly Hills?

 

[Ascape Artists]

Where is Beverly? Did you mean Beverly Hills?

Oops, Beverly Ma

 

[CharlesinGA]

If you have a multistage converter and it actually works properly (WFCO many times does not) and it drops down to float stage like it should, then I would just leave it plugged in and hooked up. If converter is pumping out voltage higher than 13.2 or so, then it is either not multistage or is not dropping down, and should be unplugged and either a tender connected or battery removed.

Mine is stored indoors and stays above about 40F in the winter, and has a multi-stage converter that does work (Progressive Dynamics) and stays plugged in 24/7.

Charles

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

If it's a trustworthy converter then leaving it connected to mains can work. But that leaves the RV vulnerable to surges and spikes that can damage anything plugged in. In order for the converter to supply charge current the house loads are connected, which can end up depleting the battery in the event of power interruption. That can happen in the form of a surge induced tripped breaker or blown fuse, damaged converter, or unplugged cord. Disconnecting the battery mitigates that, and adding a tender keeps the batteries at 100%. If a surge or disconnect takes out the tender the batteries just sit there instead of discharging through connected house loads. There's no downside, come springtime just hook up and go.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Kirk]

Beverly Ma

Looking at the weather for Beverly, you don't seem to have the extreme cold that we got when I lived in Wyoming, but there is cold so, while I suspect that the battery would be fine just sitting with the negative cable lifted for the winter, as a career electromechanical tech I like the use of a float charger for longer term storage for keeping a battery at it healthiest. My favorite for that job is one from Schumacher Electric which I have used many years. By using one on the chassis battery of a class A I typically got 7 years or more from a battery, which is above average. There are numerous less costly float chargers on Amazon and most likely, any of those would suffice. This type of device will usually pay for itself in less frequent battery replacements.

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[Bob C.1]

I'm in Northwest Michigan fifty miles south of the U.P. I have an Interstate Battery three years old. After I winterize my camper, I pull my shore power and disconnect the battery and there it sits in the camper till spring. Have not had any problems so far.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I'm reluctant to advise depending on the Aline's own converter/charger, which may be a simple single stage (taper charging) rather than the more sophisticated multi-stage charger. Without more info about the charger, I'd suggest unplugging the Aliner from that outlet, disconnecting the battery negative (ground) cable, and plugging in an inexpensive battery maintainer charger to keep the battery topped up over the winter. That's the conservative approach and may be overkill, but it's pretty much foolproof.

Chances are you could leave the Aliner plugged in and be OK. Or unplug the Aliner and disconnect the battery negative (ground) cable and be OK. But if choosing one of those methods, I suggest you should check the battery every 4-6 weeks to make sure it is remaining healthy.

 

[gwinger]

Plus, if it's an FLA, keep an eye on the battery water.

 

[[email protected]]

Do I remove the battery from my Aliner Ascape for winter? If so I’m taking all advice as to how I do this. Ascape has been plugged into dedicated 20 amp circuit outside outlet since I parked it a month ago, my belief was this would keep battery full. Tell me what to do you will not hurt my feelings. Thanks in advance.

Don't count on that house shut off switch, put a quick disconnect on the battery (-) battery terminal. Also make sure battery bank is fully topped off and charged before storing. This works for me because I like to go out every 4 to 6 weeks and check on her while she's in storage anyway. So, I'll spend about an hour or two and warm up engine and stretch the legs on the genset, inspect, watch TV or work on a project while I'm there. If batteries are in good shape, there is very minimal voltage loss and she's always ready to go.

 

[RayIN]

Simply fully-charge the batteries, then disconnect the negative cables. Lead-Acid batteries self-discharge at ~3%/ month, so 6-8 months later the batteries will still be near 50% charge. A L/A battery will not freeze when it has above 40% charge until -40°F.
reference: Will my lead acid battery freeze this winter?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I don't know the quality of the charger in an Aliner and would worry that it may overcharge if left on (charging) for months at a time. But even that shouldn't be an issue if you check the water level in the cells (or it's a AGM sealed type). But RayIN's advice is solid (see post #15) and easy.

 

[Bearcatrp]

I leave mine in and plugged in all winter. Been doing this last 10 years without issues. Have an app on my phone that I can check the status, which I do at least once a week. Just make sure the water level is good.