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11-11-2016, 12:04 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Trailer: April 2016 21' "Ramble On"
Posts: 280
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Winterization Mode - Batteries Removed
Winterized our 21 (2016 classic) this morning and moved the dual 6 volt batteries into the basement and hooked them up in series with a 12 volt trickle charger. I hope that is the correct thing to do.
Also, can I hook up shore power and turn on 12V and 120V electrical stuff in the camper sans batteries without damaging the internal battery charger?
Thanks!
__________________
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
Theodore Roosevelt
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11-11-2016, 12:08 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
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That will work for storing the batteries, but I just leave them in the trailer myself.
You can use the converter to power up things in the trailer without batteries, just make certain the battery leads are not contacting each other, or the positive contacting ground anyhow.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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11-11-2016, 12:09 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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You can hook up and your 120v outlets will be active as well as your 12v as long as your main battery switch is on. Do you have solar also? That scenario maybe different.
On edit, after Jim B's answer, I agree, why not leave them in your trailer and plugged in, the onboard converter will certainly keep them charged.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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11-11-2016, 12:23 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Trailer: April 2016 21' "Ramble On"
Posts: 280
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Thanks for the response.
I don't have solar option although I did get a pass through installed from the exterior to the passenger side bench if I decide to purchase some portable panels someday.
I don't leave shore power connected continuously because the trailer is in my driveway and I would have to run the 30Amp cord across the driveway and into the garage. However, I do like the ability to plug it in the day before a trip to precool the fridge.
__________________
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
Theodore Roosevelt
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11-11-2016, 12:34 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I just use a 15 amp extension cord, I never turn on the a/c, just a 400 watt heater and the on board converter. You do not need a 30 amp hookup.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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11-11-2016, 12:53 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
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I just took our 21 to the storage cave yesterday after checking over all systems and giving everything a thorough cleaning. As for the batteries, I just make sure they are full of water and turn the disconnect switch to off. The trailer was there for close to six months without being looked at last winter and yet it came out with the batteries at almost full charge. I might add that the temperature there is a constant 66 degrees F.
Hopefully it will get towed to Texas this winter. Loren
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11-11-2016, 01:00 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Trailer: April 2016 21' "Ramble On"
Posts: 280
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Quote:
That will work for storing the batteries, but I just leave them in the trailer myself.
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I am a RV noob but I was under the assumption that you were supposed to remove your batteries to a warmer location during winter (at least in places like Nebraska) and not leave them in the camper.
Quote:
I just use a 15 amp extension cord, I never turn on the a/c, just a 400 watt heater and the on board converter. You do not need a 30 amp hookup.
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Gotcha. I didn't mean to imply that I needed 30Amps. Its just that I don't want any kind of cord strung across my driveway all winter.
Thanks.
__________________
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
Theodore Roosevelt
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11-11-2016, 01:15 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Middle, Tennessee
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19' #2
Posts: 1,441
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__________________
Tom
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11-11-2016, 02:32 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
... why not leave them in your trailer and plugged in, the onboard converter will certainly keep them charged.
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I agree; the converter/charger has a maintenance mode.
Quote:
Originally Posted by huskersteffy
I don't leave shore power connected continuously because the trailer is in my driveway and I would have to run the 30Amp cord across the driveway and into the garage.
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I understand not wanting to leave the cord in place, but to ensure that the batteries are maintained the charger doesn't need to be plugged in continuously. An occasional day is fine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
I just use a 15 amp extension cord, I never turn on the a/c, just a 400 watt heater and the on board converter. You do not need a 30 amp hookup.
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I agree - a light cord will do. In maintenance mode the charger will only need a fraction of one amp. Even the refrigerator only uses about an amp.
Quote:
Originally Posted by huskersteffy
I am a RV noob but I was under the assumption that you were supposed to remove your batteries to a warmer location during winter (at least in places like Nebraska) and not leave them in the camper.
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Batteries actually discharge more quickly when they are warmer. The only reason to bring batteries inside is to prevent freezing, but they won't freeze if they're kept adequately charged (which is why the one in your car doesn't freeze).
Bringing them inside does work, but if you leave them inside for a very long time, they should still be charged occasionally. How long they can sit and how frequently they should be charged depends on the battery and temperature.
The ideal battery storage environment would be in a refrigerator with a charger.
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11-11-2016, 02:39 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Trailer: April 2016 21' "Ramble On"
Posts: 280
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Thanks for the input everyone as well as the great PDF file from Kountrykamper.
Since I've already lugged those two heavy SOB's into the basement, I will leave them there this winter with a trickle charger. Will haul them out right before a trip we have planned to Matagorda and then Padre Island National Seashore in March (maybe we'll run into Loren & Cathy).
Next year I'll just leave them in the camper as suggested.
__________________
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
Theodore Roosevelt
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11-11-2016, 03:53 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
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Quote:
Originally Posted by huskersteffy
Thanks for the input everyone as well as the great PDF file from Kountrykamper.
Since I've already lugged those two heavy SOB's into the basement, I will leave them there this winter with a trickle charger. Will haul them out right before a trip we have planned to Matagorda and then Padre Island National Seashore in March (maybe we'll run into Loren & Cathy).
Next year I'll just leave them in the camper as suggested.
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Sounds like a good fall/spring workout to me.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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11-11-2016, 03:57 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
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battery storage
I have a couple batteries I keep inside in the basement in the winter. I have them up off of the concrete floor on a couple of 2X6 boards and trickle charge them with a battery tender. They are out of my garden tractor and my boat. The Escape batteries stay in the front box on the camper with camper plugged into my 30 amp service in my pole building. Checked for water at winterization time, I've not needed to add any before spring. My New Holland tractor stays in my other metal sided garage. I never charge it, just plug in the block heater when a snow storm is coming so the diesel will start and run.
In any situation, I never leave a run down or dead battery out in the elements when it's gonna get real cold because they will freeze.
Wooley bear caterpillar band is wide and squirrels are burying lots of walnuts, winter will be here soon enough.
Dave
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11-11-2016, 04:12 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
Trailer: 2014 19' Named Bailey
Posts: 132
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I re-read my owners manual to see what I should be doing as maintenance for the batteries, seems like they are supposed to be maintenance free.... should I be checking the water level? How often? Also, what tire pressure should I be running? 50psi cold as the sidewall suggests? Just setting up a tire minder system, what tire pressure range or target should program that for?
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11-11-2016, 04:45 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FishBioGirl
I re-read my owners manual to see what I should be doing as maintenance for the batteries, seems like they are supposed to be maintenance free.... should I be checking the water level?
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In batteries, "maintenance free" usually means that the caps are not removable, so there is no way to check (or correct) the electrolyte level.
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11-11-2016, 04:45 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FishBioGirl
I re-read my owners manual to see what I should be doing as maintenance for the batteries, seems like they are supposed to be maintenance free.... should I be checking the water level? How often? Also, what tire pressure should I be running? 50psi cold as the sidewall suggests? Just setting up a tire minder system, what tire pressure range or target should program that for?
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They are maintenance free except for check the liquid twice a year, old style batteries needed refilling more often. Tire pressure 50 psi and I cover mine, BTW you may want to upgrade your avatar info....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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11-11-2016, 04:52 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Tire pressure is 50 psi if you are running the same tire that came on the trailer. Mine are 65 psi according to the information on the sidewall.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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11-11-2016, 04:54 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
Tire pressure is 50 psi if you are running the same tire that came on the trailer. Mine are 65 psi according to the information on the sidewall.
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That's the maximum - no need (or reason) to run them at the higher pressure.
Since most tire discussions disintegrate into pointless arguments, and there are lots of them already in this forum (and probably every other RV forum), and this thread was about winter storage of batteries... it might be a good idea to split off the tire "discussion".
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11-11-2016, 04:58 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Yup, max. for my load range D tires. I run at 60psi.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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11-11-2016, 05:13 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
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I tire of the pressure these off topic discussions create.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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11-11-2016, 06:29 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Maple Ridge, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 17B;2012 Nissan Frontier SV 4
Posts: 701
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Hi FishBioGirl
I check tire pressure on both trailer and tug at the beginning of each trip. For trips longer than a few days, I'd check tire pressure in the morning prior to leaving a few times during the trip. I carry a air compressor/battery combination for any top ups that are needed. From the Forum I also learned that I needed a tire lug changer for the trailer (didn't occur to me that we might have a flat for the first year or so) and also got a axle jack. That's on top of my BCAA membership with RV coverage. . Lots of details to think about. Specially if u travel off the beaten path
Larry
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