Battery Montana 3231CK

[Lrazzano]

I'm winterizing my montana 3231ck. Do you recommend taking the battery out for the winter? If so, what the best way to do that.

[rohrmann]

If you have it fully charged, disconnecting the ground cable will stop any discharge and the battery will not freeze. If you have power available in storage, just leave the rig plugged in and the converter system will maintain the battery.

[jimcol]

Like Bob said, I leave mine in all winter with the negative disconnect. Has never been a problem. We will have some 0-degree days here in KC.

[MandK]

There are a few opinions on this. You can remove them and store at home or remove and store on a maintainer. But I don't take mine out for the winter, there is no need to. I Just disconnect the ground. I actually installed a negative cable disconnect because I keep it at a storage yard and hooking and un-hooking cables gets old. We also have a rather large boat, and I am not carrying 7 batteries on and off that thing every fall and spring. Been doing this for years. Just make sure they are fully charged before storage, and they will be fine. I disconnected my boat batteries last week and they were charged to 12.8v. When I go back to it in April, they will be 12.5-12.6v I have learned that after several years one of the batteries will show less voltage in the spring than the others and this is my warning that it's time to replace them all. If you keep it on a charger all winter, it may be that you'll know to replace them while on your first outing. Just my way of doing it.

[Lrazzano]

Thank you everyone for the tips.

I think I'll keep my battery in place but disconnect it. I'd like to install a Battery Disconnect to the negative terminal. Attached is a picture I took of the cover on the battery. can I place the battery disconnect on the outside or do I need to take the cover off and put it on the negative terminal of the battery, directly?

[MandK]

I mounted mine on the wall of the front compartment. I think I had 2 cables hooked to the negative terminal of the battery box. Cable to the inverter and cable to the frame of the trailer. I disconnected them from the battery and put them on one side of the disconnect switch and made up a cable to go from the other side of the disconnect switch to the battery box. You just want to use the switch to disconnect the battery box negative from whatever cables are currently connected to the negative post of the battery box. If you have a bunch of wires going to the battery box negative, you could install a buss bar if necessary.

[Carl n Susan]

I did as did MandK. I moved all the existing wires (3 of them: frame ground; inverter ground; and hydraulic pump ground) from the negative post of the battery to a buss bar (makes it a lot easier). My negative post is inside the battery box. If yours are outside, then it is much the same and you never have to get back into the box to disconnect. Then I made a cable that goes from the negative battery post to the disconnect switch and a second short one from the disconnect switch to the buss bar (connected via a Smart Shunt).

Buss Bar (aka Distribution Block)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



Disconnect Switch
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094JTVLX4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&ps




All Installed

[Foldbak]

I'm confused.......which doesn't take much but why add another disconnect when you have 2 already? One positive battery disconnected to 12 volt bus and one for the inverter.

[Carl n Susan]

This a 2012 which didn't come with an inverter. I added one and tied it in with the disconnect switch rather than an additional disconnect switch as you get in the newer factory models. Only one point to disconnect everything.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

This a 2012 which didn't come with an inverter. I added one and tied it in with the disconnect switch rather than an additional disconnect switch as you get in the newer factory models. Only one point to disconnect everything.

That makes sense but Larzzano's rig has is newer and has 2 disconnects.

[MandK]

The disconnect in the convenience center does not disconnect the battery fully. Parasitic loads will still drain the battery when the “red key” is turned off.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by MandK

The disconnect in the convenience center does not disconnect the battery fully. Parasitic loads will still drain the battery when the “red key” is turned off.

It depends on the year of the unit. My 22 disconnect is in the battery compartment and is before the positive terminal that feeds the 12 volt buss. No other loads are before the switch.

[Lrazzano]

If I use the disconnect switches in my battery compartment, would that cut off all loads to the battery or would I still need to install a battery disconnect on the negative terminal of the battery?

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

It depends on the year of the unit. My 22 disconnect is in the battery compartment and is before the positive terminal that feeds the 12 volt buss. No other loads are before the switch.

It used to be the disconnect in the battery compartment was only for the inverter.

Originally Posted by Lrazzano

If I use the disconnect switches in my battery compartment, would that cut off all loads to the battery or would I still need to install a battery disconnect on the negative terminal of the battery?

Do you have multiple "disconnect switches" in the battery compartment?

I guess I am not current on what the Old Worlds craftsmen are installing these days. It sounds like they use a positive buss bar (positive disconnect or negative disconnect produce the same result) and a single disconnect switch that kills 12V to the inverter and the rest of the coach (including the parasitic draws)? Is there still the stupid "almost" disconnect switch in the convenience center?
Will someone please post pictures and save me a trip the local dealer. I am trying to keep current on their latest install details.

[Foldbak]

Yes the 22's have 2 disconnect's

[MandK]

Carl, I don’t know how you keep track of all this stuff but you do an amazing job. My trailer is only a year old, well almost two now, and is apparently no longer “current”. Makes it difficult to help others.

[Lrazzano]

Thank you. I assume if I shut both off for the winter, I won't drain my battery.
as you can tell, I'm a bit challenged with this.
I appreciate all your help.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Lrazzano

Thank you. I assume if I shut both off for the winter, I won't drain my battery.
as you can tell, I'm a bit challenged with this.
I appreciate all your help.

Correct. Batteries will naturally discharge even disconnected. Typically they shouldn't go dead over a few months but the older they get the less life they have. A lead acid battery is only good for around 5 years.

[Lrazzano]

Thank you!!

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

Yes the 22's have 2 disconnect's

Does this mean they got rid of the disconnect switch in the convenience center?