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Old 06-03-2019, 12:19 PM   #1
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Battery maintenance

A friend with a 19' Escape told me that rather than bring his batteries indoors, he just leaves his trailer plugged in all the time when at home. He says that provides a trickle charge to the battery and keeps it fully charged. Is this true? We live in a relatively mild climate all year round and do not need to winterize.
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Old 06-03-2019, 12:38 PM   #2
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My trailer is plugged in at home year round, maintaining a full charge.
From Trojan battery site:
Can a flooded battery freeze?
The only way that a battery can freeze is if it is left in a state of partial or complete discharge. As the state of charge in a battery decreases, the electrolyte becomes more like water and the freezing temperature increases. The freezing temperature of the electrolyte in a fully charged battery is -92º F (-69º C). At a 40% state of charge, electrolyte will freeze if the temperature reaches approximately 16º F (-9º C).
Go here to answer all your battery questions:
https://www.trojanbattery.com/tech-s...q/#Maintenance
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Old 06-03-2019, 12:45 PM   #3
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If you have the solar option, your batteries will remain charged. i leave my trailer plugged in during the winter for heat reasons, but in summer and springtime the solar keeps my batteries charged.
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Old 06-03-2019, 01:15 PM   #4
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I used to leave my trailer plugged in a fair bit. Charging batteries not being used every few months has worked fine too.

Now that I have solar I never plug in to charge batteries as it easily keeps the batteries full.
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Old 06-03-2019, 05:24 PM   #5
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My 2011 17B batteries made it through a couple of Oswego winters (weeks below freezing day & night, with dips below 0°F for days at a time). The 100 watt solar panel kept the batteries charged even under the trailer cover sold at the time by Escape.

Must have worked OK - the current owners of the trailer are still going strong on the same batteries 8 years later...
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Old 06-03-2019, 06:11 PM   #6
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Thanks

It seems clear that leaving the electricity connected does not harm the battery and keeps it charged. Thanks for your responses.
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Old 06-03-2019, 08:50 PM   #7
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I live where it got to -30 F last winter. I leave the trailer plugged in year round. I check the water level in the batteries when I winterize in the fall and make sure tonuse distilled water if they need any. Do the same in April as I ready the trailer for spring travel. Have done this with all types of batteries for many years. Does not shorten the life in my opinion. I have solar and some light gets in the building but to be safe, I just plug in.
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Old 06-04-2019, 05:38 AM   #8
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Before I had a trailer with solar, and before I had electric available, I'd charge the batteries to 100%, check the fluid, then disconnect one lead. Six months later they'd still be 100%, or darn close to it. Now I leave the trailer plugged in.
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Old 06-04-2019, 08:38 AM   #9
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About to order.... any suggestions? Especially power related.

We're about to order a 21' Escape and we know that we are going to need a lot of power, want to boondock and work online at the same time.

I've been told about the bigger batteries. Can we get a bigger inverter?

Anything else that would be good for us? Or not so good for us?
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Old 06-04-2019, 09:49 AM   #10
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I’d ask about installing four 6 volt batteries, I can’t remember if ETI will do that or not, if not ask them for another battery box and and ask to purchase 2 more matching batteries and install yourself.
Have 2 solar panels installed along with a Zamp solar port and pick up a spare portable solar panel on sale sometime if needed or search for Jim B’s post and photos on his set up with four flexible panels on the roof as a option.
Ask ETI if you can supply your own inverter if they say yes then you can get what you want, if no you can add later.
If the above doesn’t work you might want to look at a generator.
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Old 06-04-2019, 09:56 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PGDriver View Post
I’d ask about installing four 6 volt batteries, I can’t remember if ETI will do that or not, if not ask them for another battery box and and ask to purchase 2 more matching batteries and install yourself.
Have 2 solar panels installed along with a Zamp solar port and pick up a spare portable solar panel on sale sometime if needed or search for Jim B’s post and photos on his set up with four flexible panels on the roof as a option.
Ask ETI if you can supply your own inverter if they say yes then you can get what you want, if no you can add later.
If the above doesn’t work you might want to look at a generator.
We have info on 2 12 volt batteries that we can provide (at a considerable expense). They are lithium but have a good reputation. Will definitely get that port put in and get a spare portable. Will check out Jim B too. Not sure how, but I will search.

Thank you.
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Old 06-04-2019, 04:49 PM   #12
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Will this work with the current cover?
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Old 06-05-2019, 08:40 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gori View Post
We're about to order a 21' Escape and we know that we are going to need a lot of power, want to boondock and work online at the same time.

I've been told about the bigger batteries. Can we get a bigger inverter?

Anything else that would be good for us? Or not so good for us?
A larger inverter and more batteries might not be a boon - you still have to have enough solar panels to be able to replace the power being consumed.

It would be a good idea to do an audit of what your power needs would be and go from there.
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Old 06-05-2019, 08:49 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PGDriver View Post
I’d ask about installing four 6 volt batteries, I can’t remember if ETI will do that or not, if not ask them for another battery box and and ask to purchase 2 more matching batteries and install yourself.
Have 2 solar panels installed along with a Zamp solar port and pick up a spare portable solar panel on sale sometime if needed or search for Jim B’s post and photos on his set up with four flexible panels on the roof as a option.
Ask ETI if you can supply your own inverter if they say yes then you can get what you want, if no you can add later.
If the above doesn’t work you might want to look at a generator.
I can't find Jim B's post with 4 panels. Does he have an AC unit too? I'm not terribly computer savvy.
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Old 06-05-2019, 09:09 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PGDriver View Post
I’d ask about installing four 6 volt batteries, I can’t remember if ETI will do that or not, if not ask them for another battery box and and ask to purchase 2 more matching batteries and install yourself.
Have 2 solar panels installed along with a Zamp solar port and pick up a spare portable solar panel on sale sometime if needed or search for Jim B’s post and photos on his set up with four flexible panels on the roof as a option.
Ask ETI if you can supply your own inverter if they say yes then you can get what you want, if no you can add later.
If the above doesn’t work you might want to look at a generator.
Another approach is to go with lithium batteries. 2 12V, 100 amp hour lithium batteries are the equivalent of 4 6V batteries, and at 31 pounds each, will save quite a bit of weight. I doubt Escape would install them since it requires a different converter, and maybe a different solar controller, but it can be done. I just finished a conversion.

Tom's (tif-texas) point about needing to include a way to refill a larger battery bank is important. I have a pair of 160 watt panels on the roof, and can add another 160 watt portable when necessary. While I've never needed a generator even with 91 days of dry camping, I now carry a 900/700 watt propane only generator to recharge the batteries after a string of cloudy days.
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Old 09-01-2020, 09:06 PM   #16
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battery keeps dying...

2014, 15 foot, escape, i keep the battery on a/c when not using, but I still am loosing battery power after a year...why is my battery failing? I have 12.88 v on it ... and i get flickering lights and refrigerator...is it possible my battery connections are not tight enough?
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Old 09-01-2020, 09:28 PM   #17
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Is it the original battery? If so, it's approaching time for replacement.

Under what conditions are you getting a 12.88 volt reading. While charging?

Check the water level and remove and clean the battery terminals. See if that changes anything.

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Old 09-01-2020, 09:33 PM   #18
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Lots of possibilities

1. Your battery is old. 5-7 years of use would be a swell maximum.
2. Many, most, if not all electrical connections corrode over time. It's related to galvanic corrosion. More on that MUCH later.

3. Start with cleaning your battery primary (at the battery) connections with abrasive methods. 120 grit sandpaper, baking soda wash, clean water wash, etc., etc. Get them lead contacts (both and all sides clean).


After that, either buy new batteries or work down the system contacts, cleaning, inspecting, repairing if required, but above ALL, paying close visual attention to all the connections.


I think your batteries are simply old and tired.
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Old 09-01-2020, 10:20 PM   #19
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3rd one, and this one from costco, interstate battery, I took it out and tested it as it came out of the battery spot, slight corrosion on terminals I will clean tomorrow...water level checked...and is up to snuff...
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Old 09-01-2020, 10:21 PM   #20
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thanks ... cleaning first thing tomorrow...
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