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Old 11-08-2019, 06:34 AM   #1
BRJ
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Battery Help Please

So we just picked up our new 2020 3120RL Legacy. It is fully loaded and it took me a couple of days to figure how everything worked. I couldn't be happier with our decision. After reading up in the forum here, we went with a pair of 6 volt trojan batteries. I picked them up myself and the dealership installed them.
This brings me to my question. I'm in a cold winter climate and would like to know if my batteries should be removed until we go south in February. I thought it might be easier to keep them serviced in the garage. I have a good 12v deep cycle I could keep in the trailer for opening slides over the winter. Also, how often do the trojan batteries require water while on a trickle charger.
 
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Old 11-08-2019, 08:23 AM   #2
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Make sure they are fully charged and have enough water and then disconnect the ground and you will be fine. Charged batteries don't freeze or the folks in MN would have issues every morning. You need to disconnect the ground because the unit has hidden loads that the battery disconnect doesn't shut off (propane detector etc.) that will kill the batteries in no time.
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Old 11-08-2019, 11:36 AM   #3
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IF your RV is parked next to the house (power),
Get a 50a to 120v adapter and keep it plugged in. The converter will take care of the batteries.
https://www.amazon.com/Epicord-90-De...x=rv+50&sr=8-4
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Old 11-08-2019, 01:53 PM   #4
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Daryl, I have a 30 amp park box by the Montana. My concern about leaving the power on is that I will have to check the water regularly. I think DQDick has a great plan. I will give it a try.
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Old 11-08-2019, 01:55 PM   #5
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The Trojan web site has a paper on batteries and cold with a chart on the freezing point vs the state of charge.


https://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/WP...orage_0512.pdf
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Old 11-08-2019, 05:37 PM   #6
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The only time our SOB isn't plugged in, is when it's on the road from one place to another. I had 4 semi-deep cycle 12 V batteries and I checked the water in the Fall before heading South and again in the Spring before heading back North.
Yes, always needed to add some water, but NEVER was the water below the plates.
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Old 11-09-2019, 08:08 AM   #7
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Okay, am now storing camper in facility owned by dealer. Always kept campers at home hooked to 120 outlet during winter. Asked long time (at least 12 years) tech there if need to disconnect negative over the winter. He said you disconnect the "positive". Also said the battery switch when "off" has no phantom draws. I asked about the propane detector. Said, no need to disconnect battery during winter as long as battery is charged when first stored. Camper is not hooked up to any power source while in storage. What????
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Old 11-09-2019, 08:14 AM   #8
waynemoore
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He dose not know what he is talking about. And he has been telling people this crap for a long time.
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Old 11-09-2019, 08:40 AM   #9
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Well intentioned I suppose, but misinformed.

As to whether you disconnect the positive or negative wire doesn't matter. As long as one or the other is disconnected current can't flow thru the battery.
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Old 11-09-2019, 09:52 AM   #10
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The reason I always disconnect the negative terminal first, on the car or RV, is for safety. If you are using a wrench on the positive terminal and it touches any metal on the vehicle ..... spark.

I put a knife switch on the negative terminal to disconnect the batteries.
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Old 11-09-2019, 10:12 AM   #11
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The reason I always disconnect the negative terminal first, on the car or RV, is for safety. If you are using a wrench on the positive terminal and it touches any metal on the vehicle ..... spark.

I put a knife switch on the negative terminal to disconnect the batteries.
I agree, NO draw this way.
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Old 11-09-2019, 09:15 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by BRJ View Post
Daryl, I have a 30 amp park box by the Montana. My concern about leaving the power on is that I will have to check the water regularly. I think DQDick has a great plan. I will give it a try.

Trojan makes a battery watering system, I check/fill my 4 6V Trojans in minutes about once a month.


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Old 11-10-2019, 06:45 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by MARK A View Post
Trojan makes a battery watering system, I check/fill my 4 6V Trojans in minutes about once a month.


Mark
Thanks Mark, I am on top of that. I'm considering having the Trojan dealer install it in the spring. Did you install your own or have it installed? I'd also like to put in two more batteries if there is room.
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Old 11-10-2019, 07:11 AM   #14
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Another reason to lift the Negative cable: If you life the Positive and it lays against the Frame or other metal of the unit and you plug-in shore power, your Converter will put power into the positive lead straight to ground. Not good
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Old 11-10-2019, 09:28 AM   #15
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Thanks Mark, I am on top of that. I'm considering having the Trojan dealer install it in the spring. Did you install your own or have it installed? I'd also like to put in two more batteries if there is room.
Iit's as easy as removing and replacing the regular caps.
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Old 11-10-2019, 09:37 AM   #16
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Iit's as easy as removing and replacing the regular caps.
Mark
Perfect. I'll get them ordered and do it myself. Thanks.
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Old 11-10-2019, 11:53 AM   #17
Ram Montana High Country
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Originally Posted by MARK A View Post
Trojan makes a battery watering system, I check/fill my 4 6V Trojans in minutes about once a month.


Mark
food for thought - will the water in the trojan system freeze?
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Old 11-10-2019, 12:40 PM   #18
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Okay, not wanting to highjack this tread but, have pics of battery wiring to look at home with camper 50 miles away. Another dumb question, see a "white" wire connected to negative post and then a black wire fastened to the frame. Where is the white wire going to? Again, don't have enough pics to determine that. I will make a visit to camper to remove the black wire attached to frame after your comments. Thanks
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Old 11-12-2019, 07:02 AM   #19
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White wire grounds the propane tanks. Thanks
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Old 11-13-2019, 01:42 PM   #20
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Not as long as they're charged or charging.


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