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Old 03-18-2014, 05:43 AM   #21
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I store my battery in the garage over the winter. Batteries that have frozen aren't good batteries for long.
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Old 03-18-2014, 05:58 AM   #22
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If you don't want to pull the batteries and put them in the basement or some such (which is what I'd do) then Ron's idea of the small solar trickle charger is a good one if you can set it up at the storage lot. In my area my concern would be theft, of the batteries and the charger.
Amazon.com: Sunforce 50022 5-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger: Automotive

On edit: I heard freezing temps don't bother "fully" charged batteries.
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Old 03-18-2014, 06:30 AM   #23
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On edit: I heard freezing temps don't bother "fully" charged batteries.
This is true, or our vehicle batteries would fail.

I have pretty much always kept the batteries in my trailer over winter. You either need to periodically check and charge them if necessary, or just keep a trickle charge on at all times. I have checked mine a couple times a winter, and found the if disconnected, have dropped very little in voltage.

I have once before, due to neglect, frozen a somewhat discharged battery, and had to replace it in the spring.
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Old 03-18-2014, 10:46 AM   #24
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It would take severe and prolonged cold weather to truly freeze a battery, and I think testimony from someone who lives in Calgary should allay any concerns about winter battery care.
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Old 03-18-2014, 02:10 PM   #25
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Frequent use and frequent charging is what keeps my vehicle batteries happy! I'm not putting them on an external charger, but just driving the vehicle as I normally do and the alternator does what it should.
I've got a little Miata that sits in garage over winter. I try to get out at least once a month and start it, let it warm up really well then shut it down. Late in the winter, I find that that once a month start just isn't enough and the battery slowly drains down. This year I put a small solar trickle charge on the wall of the garage and ran it to the car. So far it seems to be holding up fine.
For next winter, I am thinking of leaving a solar trickle charger in the trailer on the table by a window that gets some sun and see if that helps to keep the batteries charged and happy.
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Old 03-18-2014, 02:35 PM   #26
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I like Jim Bennett's summary. Also, a battery will self-discharge (when not connected to anything) more quickly if it is warm, so if you dump it in the basement and ignore it, it will go flat even faster... but at least not freeze!

I have left cars outside for weeks and even months at a time outside, and rarely had issues. I think that a whole winter season for a trailer calls for some attention, as Jim describes.
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Old 03-18-2014, 05:21 PM   #27
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I will just leave this here Winter Car Battery Checklist from Interstate -

"a fully charged battery will not freeze until -76°F; however, a fully discharged battery could start to freeze at 32°F."

https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-u...ttery-freezes/
OPTIMA YELLOWTOP® batteries are protected from freezing down to -30°F when fully-charged to about 13.0-13.2 volts and our REDTOP® batteries are protected from freezing down to -50°F when fully-charged to about 12.6-12.8 volts. However, if those batteries are not fully-charged, they can freeze at warmer temperatures. Due to the nature of their design, flooded batteries can also freeze at warmer temperatures, especially if they are not fully-charged. When a battery is not fully-charged, the sulfuric acid and distilled water inside the battery are not properly-mixed and the distilled water can freeze.

How Lead Acid Batteries Work: Battery Basics from Progressive Dynamics
If your battery is partially discharged, the electrolyte in a lead acid battery may freeze. At a 40% state of charge, electrolyte will freeze if the temperature drops to approximately -16 degrees F. When a battery is fully charged the electrolyte will not freeze until the temperature drops to approximately -92 degrees F.
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Old 03-18-2014, 06:21 PM   #28
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I do take the batteries out of our trailer over winter, mostly due the fact that I have to store it at a facility away from our home and getting in there in the winter can be dificult when there is alot of snow, just seems easier to remove them and keep them in my heated garage. I leave our Yukon parked for long periods of time over the winter and the first winter forgot about it for too long and froze and fairly new battery, now i have battery maintainer/ charger wired into the truck and when I park it I just plug it in and it just gently tops up the battery.
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Old 03-18-2014, 07:06 PM   #29
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My trailer is parked after Fall NOG (second full weekend in October) until Spring NOG (last full weekend in April). I live where it's fairly mild. Maybe two weeks solid of below freezing temps. I've lost two batteries (different years) that wouldn't come back to a full charge... in fact, hardly took a charge and I always disconnect the batteries.

I'm going to be more mindful with my new 5er and two 6 volt batteries. I'd rather spend SOME time rather than SOME dollars. YMMV
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Old 03-18-2014, 09:08 PM   #30
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[QUOTE=Donna D.;46948) that wouldn't come back to a full charge... in fact, hardly took a charge and I always disconnect the batteries.

[/QUOTE]

That is the core of the storage issue, freezing is not the prime danger. All batteries aren't created equal, some may survive over the winter and still function to some degree. It's unlikely that it will be quite as good as one that was trickle charged or periodically charged. All lead acid batteries self-discharge and sulfate to some degree. While there have been many miracle claims made for chargers that will break down the sulfate and allow the battery to take a full charge I've never had the good luck to have one that could do that.

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Old 03-18-2014, 09:22 PM   #31
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While there have been many miracle claims made for chargers that will break down the sulfate and allow the battery to take a full charge I've never had the good luck to have one that could do that.

Ron
I asked my mechanic if he could de-sulfate my battery with his fancy charger. He agreed with you, that it is no miracle, and not worth the effort.
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Old 03-18-2014, 09:37 PM   #32
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So.. you know the issues.. you take your chances. Time vs dollars. Your decision. I'v made mine.. YMMV
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Old 03-18-2014, 10:08 PM   #33
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Thanks for all the helpful responses. Lots of information to ponder.
I'm going to be copying / pasting and creating documents so I can come back to all this.

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Old 03-19-2014, 10:57 AM   #34
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So another kind of outdoor storage is when people store their trailers elsewhere. I'd be interested to know how that has worked out for people.
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Old 03-19-2014, 02:01 PM   #35
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So another kind of outdoor storage is when people store their trailers elsewhere. I'd be interested to know how that has worked out for people.
Sadly I have to store my trailer at a storage facility about 25 minutes away from home (HOA regs). Its outside and not covered. I check on it once a month as so far, so good. No problems at all.
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