Trickle Chargers and Checking Battery Water Level

[monik7]

Can anyone give a newbie some information on trickle charges? Do you need one if you disconnect your batteries when not driving for a time and/or in storage? Any recommendations on brands?

Also, how often do you check the water level of your batteries? Do you check both engine and house batteries?

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Sandi

[Bethers]

I don't use a trickle charger, so will leave that question for others.

I don't check my engine battery, but check the water levels in my house batteries monthly. Well, usually I do - it's been two months right now I'm very diligent about it when in drier climates and usually diligent when not. Will do it before pulling out of here in the next couple weeks. Recommendation - monthly.

Something else I recommend that isn't mentioned often: Check your roof monthly also and anytime you're parked under lots of trees. You never know what might be up there, and a small branch that falls on the roof and you don't remove, can cause damage to the roof or the ac cover, or any other cover, etc.

[Dawn309]

This is going to be fun. Chuck will be rolling with laughter! I have a fear of heights and never get more than a step stool off the ground or floor. Will have to get over that to check the roof! Let's see if I can manage that one.

[retiredhappy]

Agree with Beth - monthly for both batteries. First thing I did when I got my Roadtrek was to replace the coach battery with a sealed one. It was in the back storage compartment - you had to remove anything on top of it, unscrew about a dozen screws and lift a wood panel to check it. WAAAAAY too much trouble. the sealed batteries are expensive but totally maintenance free. For some reason I hated the job of checking the batteries more than most other jobs.

[avalen]

checking the batteries monthly and I will add to that....if they are low add DISTILLED water, not just water. When I lived in my fifthwheel for those
4 years in this dry az desert, they were always low everytime I checked them. I kept a jug of distilled water on hand. I bought it at the grocery store,
so its not hard to find. But you do want to keep those cells covered so as not to cause damage, its no good to have a dead cell.

[Acadianmom]

I have never checked my engine battery or had a problem with one. The ford place checks the battery when they service a vehicle and they let me know the condition. I use to check my coach batteries every month and they always needed water. I was having a problem with my generator starting earlier this year and the guy that checked it said my batteries were wired wrong. Since he worked on it the batteries haven't needed water. I'm getting a little more lax on the checking but I check them before a long trip. You can bet I will take a picture of the wiring before I let anyone mess with the batteries. I wanted to get the sealed batteries but they are too tall for the compartment door where my batteries are.

I have never used a trickle charger because I usually have my mothorhome plugged in. My motorhome has a switch inside to turn the coach batteries off. I know if mine isn't plugged in and I leave the batteries connected they will be dead in a week or less.

Martha

[mitch5252]

Here's the maintenance charger I use. I plan to get another one for the van for the winter. I have my trailer battery hooked up now to the one I have.



http://batterytender.com/battery-tender-junior-12v-at-0-75a.html

[Bethers]

I used a battery tender on my scooter. Necessity to keep that battery charged. They work great.

[WickedLady]

I use the Schauer Charge Master. It is automatic and never overcharges. I remove my battery and store it in my shed over winter. Seldom have to add distilled water as the Schauer maintains the battery perfectly.

[OregonLuvr]

I have the Battery Minder. Same thing as the Tender. My MH will be parked (sigh) now until the end of Sept GTG. I plug into electric where I store my RV and then attach my trickle charger to the engine battery, plug it into my wall receptacle and it keeps it well charged. Also will desulphate it at the same time so I think that is a good thing. Not good to let your battery fully discharge....so this solves the problem of me having to go over and start it every week. Besides at the price of gas this is a much better deal. Wasn't expensive either. I can use my coach batteries to boost and start my engine but I am more worried about the engine battery as I have stupid stuff that drains the battery I am sure. Battery disconnect switch isn't needed at this time as I am plugged into 15amp.....just cant run anything else until I am getting ready to go somewhere, then start my generator to exercise it and keep me cool during the loading process. Good for both of us. LOL

I check my batteries monthly. Just checked them when I attached the trickle charger and added a wee bit of water, noticed I need to clean my connections...too hot yesterday so will do that when I detach the charger. I have to remove a step to get to my batteries but it isnt a big deal just awkward sometimes so best done while I am already in there.

karen

[monik7]

Well, I've determined I have sealed batteries, so don't need to worry about checking water levels. Still don't know about the trickle charger if I disconnect chassis and house batteries in storage. If anyone knows about this, would be grateful for any information. Thanks,
Sandi

[WickedLady]

I think batteries lose their charge over time even when not being used.

[ellenw]

Sandi - We're going to learn SO much at the NW GTG! After all the brain picking I hope to do, they may pack me out of there by Saturday!

[monik7]

Sandi - We're going to learn SO much at the NW GTG! After all the brain picking I hope to do, they may pack me out of there by Saturday!

Yes Ellen, I hope they don't get sick of my questions. I've read and re-read the manuals I got, but I really think you have to just get out there and do things yourself. I know I was petrified the first time I actually had to dump. Read the directions and said a prayer just before going out. It was a cinch. No problems. Hope everything else proves as easy. I think it's the maintenance that scares me the most. My next project is to go out and actually open up the generator and check the oil. I've gotten all the equipment to put air in the tires but they haven't needed any yet. Will definitely check them before leaving for the GTG. Maybe then I'll have to try the air compressor for the first time.
Sandi