Hello!

NoSOD · 10-04-2020, 06:50 PM

Hello fellow Escapeforum members. I am happy to announce that my wife and I have just acquired our first trailer, an Escape 21 C. Unfortunately it's a bit late to use it this year, so our first adventure will have to wait until next year. It will be stored outside at a facility near us over the winter. I was wondering if other Calgarians who store their trailers outside feel it is necessary to remove the batteries to store indoors? Ours are the dual 6V "wet" kind. What about tricks to keep the mice out? Any advice appreciated.

padlin · 10-04-2020, 07:26 PM

Don't think I've read of an Escape that had mice so it may be a non issue.

BigSwede · 10-04-2020, 07:49 PM

Unless you have a way to keep them charged, I would pull the batteries. Depleted batteries are liable to freeze solid and be damaged. But if you can keep a battery tender on them they should be okay.

I will be pulling the batteries from my camper for winter storage and put them on a charge tender in my basement.

kvermeulen · 10-04-2020, 07:49 PM

If stored indoors heated, then batteries should be ok, but i would keep them charged.

Peppermint is good to keep mice out, smells nice too. Buy an extract and place around the inside of trailer.

Small but Sweet · 10-04-2020, 07:53 PM

We got our new Escape this year, with two 6V batteries. The instruction manual says that (for better battery life I think) you can remove the batteries while the trailer is in storage and keep them in a place protected from extreme cold. Also to charge them up before storing and keep charging them once in a while during the storage period.

rubicon327 · 10-04-2020, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Small but Sweet

Also to charge them up before storing and keep charging them once in a while during the storage period.

Clip on a battery maintainer like this and walk away.
https://no.co/genius2

TahoeJoe · 10-04-2020, 08:05 PM

I've used this product in my RV's with great success...of course that is specious reasoning, because I have no way of knowing whether mice tried and were repelled by it, all I can truly say is that I've never had mice while using it...but anyways it's organic and smells great! I get it at my local hardware store:
https://www.shake-away.com/Mouse.php?page=Mouse

NoSOD · 10-04-2020, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Clip on a battery maintainer like this and walk away.
https://no.co/genius2

That device looks fantastic! If I can lift the things, and get them to my garage, I will go that route. Thanks for the suggestion.

rubicon327 · 10-04-2020, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSOD

That device looks fantastic! If I can lift the things, and get them to my garage, I will go that route. Thanks for the suggestion.

Keep in mind you would need two separate units set for 6V mode if you have the batteries separated. I haven’t done it but I suppose you could just wire the connector across that puts the batteries in series just like in the trailer and operate one maintainer on 12V.

NoSOD · 10-04-2020, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Keep in mind you would need two separate units set for 6V mode if you have the batteries separated. I haven’t done it but I suppose you could just wire the connector across that puts the batteries in series just like in the trailer and operate one maintainer on 12V.

Yes, since you posted the suggestion I have been reading the Noco website and they describe doing just that. The hard part is going to be lifting those batteries out, I think they are around 60lb each. I might be charging them together, but I am for sure going to be lifting them separately!

rubicon327 · 10-05-2020, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSOD

...but I am for sure going to be lifting them separately!

Definitely. No question about that.

**cpaharley2008** · 10-05-2020, 06:56 AM

I assume you are getting solar with the dual 6 volts and if so, your batteries should do fine as the solar will keep them charged.

UncleTim · 10-05-2020, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I assume you are getting solar with the dual 6 volts and if so, your batteries should do fine as the solar will keep them charged.

I am going to store my 5.0 in a non heated storage unit that is secure and has power. What is the proper way for me to store it? I have solar but the unit is in the dark once the door is closed.

Should I just connect the power and leave the battery and trailer switched on?

Of course I am planning on winterizing the water system.

**cpaharley2008** · 10-05-2020, 08:18 AM

That is all I do, leave it plugged in, check the batteries twice yearly, switch is in up position. I sometimes plug in a little 100 watt heater similar to this https://www.amazon.com/Caframo-Limit...903603&sr=8-30

**cpaharley2008** · 10-05-2020, 08:20 AM

When using the little heater, I use a "thermo-cube" with is a temperature activated switch, on at 30 and off at 40 degrees https://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovato...27051778&psc=1

UncleTim · 10-05-2020, 10:07 AM

Amazing! I did not know this device existed. Thanks for posting that.

Jim, wouldn't this be the correct one to get to prevent freezing? The link you gave was for 20° to 30° F range. This one is 35° to 45°.

https://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovato...sr=1-1-catcorr

It's the same device just a different range. I did not see that at first.

**cpaharley2008** · 10-05-2020, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleTim

Amazing! I did not know this device existed. Thanks for posting that.

Jim, wouldn't this be the correct one to get to prevent freezing? The link you gave was for 20° to 30° F range. This one is 35° to 45°.

https://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovato...sr=1-1-catcorr

yes, I merely posted a generic lead, was not specific, thanx for catching that....

gbaglo · 10-05-2020, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

That is all I do, leave it plugged in, check the batteries twice yearly, switch is in up position. I sometimes plug in a little 100 watt heater similar to this https://www.amazon.com/Caframo-Limit...903603&sr=8-30

I dumped this item in the garbage. You can do the same thing with a lamp and 60 watt bulb. All it does is warm the air and warm air holds more water, so it doesn't dehumidify. If it did dehumidify, water would collect somewhere, and it doesn't. I use two Dri-Z-Air containers, emptying the contents about every 2-3 week.

NoSOD · 10-05-2020, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I assume you are getting solar with the dual 6 volts and if so, your batteries should do fine as the solar will keep them charged.

HI Jim. Thanks for responding. There are two problems with that, one is that it is likely to be covered in snow here most of the winter, and the second is that I am going to use a cover. I have read some conflicting opinions on the cover, but what convinced me was that covered RVs are less likely to be stolen. Not sure if that is true.

**cpaharley2008** · 10-06-2020, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSOD

HI Jim. Thanks for responding. There are two problems with that, one is that it is likely to be covered in snow here most of the winter, and the second is that I am going to use a cover. I have read some conflicting opinions on the cover, but what convinced me was that covered RVs are less likely to be stolen. Not sure if that is true.

I neglected to consider your snowy winters.......

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