Long term storage for batteries

[fixn2gocamp]

Currently planning to leave my Passport Elite in storage this summer and fall,6 months or so. Will use battery disconnect and batteries will be fully charged. planning to also use a small solar panel. Is this plan possible or should batteries be removed and stored elsewhere on a trickle charger? this will be longest time in storage since we got the Elite. Thanks for advice.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by fixn2gocamp

Currently planning to leave my Passport Elite in storage this summer and fall,6 months or so. Will use battery disconnect and batteries will be fully charged. planning to also use a small solar panel. Is this plan possible or should batteries be removed and stored elsewhere on a trickle charger? this will be longest time in storage since we got the Elite. Thanks for advice.

What size (capacity in watts) is the small solar panel? Letting charge either with a solar panel or a trickle charger you will need to check the water level and occasionally add distilled water over that long of a term.

[fixn2gocamp]

Solar panel is 2.4 watts and batteries are sealed.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by fixn2gocamp

Solar panel is 2.4 watts and batteries are sealed.

Some "sealed" batteries still have caps recessed in the top under the label. My battery from NAPA ois built that way. In MHO a 2.4 watt solar panel is useless for charging a car or rv battery. That wouldn't even charge a modern cell phone efficiently.

If you pull the battery and charge it at home what capacity is the "trickle charger" or do you have one yet? I'm not a fan of a trickle chargers. I use a battery maintainer, they have much more sophisticated circuitry for charging and conditioning a battery to prevent deposits from adhering to the plates.

[Lee]

I leave my RV plugged in 24/7 365.

Just be sure to check the level in the batteries and top off as required.

Lee

[MarkEHansen]

I realize some folks use the term "trickle charger" as a generic way to referring to a battery maintainer. However, most trickle chargers don't have the "smarts" to maintain a battery properly. I agree with Marshall - use a true battery maintainer, like a DelTran Battery Tender (for one example).

[travelin texans]

If leaving the batteries in the rv without some sort of charging they will be dead in a matter of days whether the factory disconnect, if equipped, is used or not, too many parasitic drains discharging the battery. Removed with a maintainer of some sort or plugged into 110 is the best options.