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Old 10-11-2017, 09:53 AM   #1
Idalogger52
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Winter Storing

Do you guys leave your trailer plugged in when storing during the winter? I always have with other brands, but Montana Owners manual advises not to due to overcharging (?) the batteries. Was wondering what the owners have to say. TIA
 
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Old 10-11-2017, 10:09 AM   #2
beeje
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My 2011 3455sa stays plugged in 24/7. I have never had a problem. I check the battery water level every few weeks and add distilled water when necessary. I think most trailers today have converters with smart chargers built in. Get the make and model # of your converter and look it up. I think you will be fine leaving it plugged in. YOU MUST CHECK THE WATER LEVEL OFTEN !!!!
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Old 10-11-2017, 11:25 AM   #3
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Not sure the purpose of leaving it plugged in all the time. Just charge the batteries every 6-8 weeks or even better get it out and use it - winter camping is great!
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Old 10-11-2017, 11:56 AM   #4
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As above, mine stays plugged in. And I check battery water regularly.
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Old 10-11-2017, 12:57 PM   #5
Idalogger52
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Winter camping in Montana is kinda like camping in Antarctica....Not something I want to try way too cold and too much snow .....
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Old 10-11-2017, 01:17 PM   #6
Loneoak
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Our daughter stores her trailer at the local fairgrounds inside a large building. My husband stores her battery in the house. So her unit is not plugged in. We store ours in Florida and keep it plugged in since we are using it.
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Old 10-11-2017, 01:29 PM   #7
mlh
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I keep mine plugged in. If you don't you need to unhook the battery or it will be dead in a few weeks.
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Old 10-11-2017, 01:33 PM   #8
Idalogger52
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That’s what I’ve always done in the past .... keystones owners manual said not to due to overcharging ... its a 2014, I would have thought they would use a converter with a “smart charging “ system.
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Old 10-11-2017, 03:11 PM   #9
mjammersc
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The smart charger still does charge boosts daily in addition to float charging. The unnecessary charging doesn't help the batteries long term. Here is the smart charger info in the newer rigs. https://www.progressivedyn.com/rv/ch...charge-profile


I make sure mine are fully charged going into storage then disconnected. I check mine periodically and when they are down ~10% ( I have a battery monitor as part of my solar system) I charge them up. Mine is stored in a open sided barn at a local county fairground so it gets exposed to the cold, just not the snow though not quite Montana weather
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Old 10-11-2017, 03:20 PM   #10
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Thanks for all the input and info!!! Sure glad we found this website!!
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Old 10-12-2017, 07:36 AM   #11
TLightning
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With a smart charger, leave it plugged in.
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Old 10-12-2017, 08:47 AM   #12
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We have a 135W solar panel on ours. It keeps the battery fully charged, and there's a limiter in the system to keep it from overcharging.
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Old 10-12-2017, 04:55 PM   #13
richfaa
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Our two Montana's have been plugged in 24/7/365 except when in travel status. We have not seen a winter in 12 years. When we did store our Rv's during the winter here in Northern Ohio we winterized them and removed the batteries.
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Old 10-12-2017, 05:59 PM   #14
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Pulling or disconnecting the batteries is alway best. Trickle chargers can ruin batteries in the long run.
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Old 10-12-2017, 08:07 PM   #15
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Live and store the 5er in Wis.and pull the batteries. Run a float charger on them every couple weeks.
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