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Topic: How to store LD for several months? (Read 11 times) previous topic - next topic
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How to store LD for several months?
Yahoo Message Number: 147247
I will be storing our LD this week for an indeterminate number of months, 600 miles from home.  There is no electrical service at the site.  The generator will not be operated during this storage period.  Ambient temperature will vary from moderate (50s-70s) to hot (high 90s), with low humidity.
 The sun will be strong, so I will install a cover, although I understand the pros and cons of doing so.  I will add Stabil to the gas tank at the appropriate ratio.
 What is the best way to minimize damage to coach and chassis batteries under these conditions?

Are there other things that should be done?

Thanks--Ted
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147249
Forgot to mention that the coach batteries are AGMs.  Have solar, but the cover will obstruct it.  Ted
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147252
So what year is your LD, and what model solar controller do you have?  If you have the HPV-22B, you could leave the solar turned on, but with the shore power option selected, leave it uncovered.  If you do not have the B model, you will have to do a little more work.

Personally, I would not worry about Stabil in the gas. Just make sure it is full of fuel, and there is some fresh water on board.  "A few months" is really no longer than most folks winter season.

-Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147253
Thanks, Dave for taking the time to respond..  We have an 04RB and the 22B controller.  Why should I put it on shore power rather than dry camping, which is the mode under which it will operate?  I'm not doubting the advisability of doing it; I just don't understand why.
 As to leaving the cover off, that involves a dilemma.  If I leave the cover off, the solar works, and the house batteries stay healthy.  However, it will be storage in the East Bay area of San Francisco , where the sun  will be very strong and hot this summer.  So what is one to do--risk the batteries or risk losing the shiny paint job (oxidation)?  I thought about cutting "window" holes in the cover to expose the panels (4), but my wife did not like that idea.
 Also what about the chassis battery?  Just disconnect it and leave it in place?

Ted
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147254
The reason is that the dry camp setting provides a much higher charge point, around 14.2.  Way too high to leave running continuously on the AGMs, you will vey likely damage your expensive AGMs.  The shore power setting is set around 13.2, near the recommended float voltage. You can leave it on that forever with no damage to the batteries at all. You can leave the rig uncovered, and not worry about disconnecting the batteries or other measures while you are away.

Ideally you would have a 3-stage solar charge controller, that exhibits a similar pattern to the 3-stage power converter that you may already have, providing an occasional excursion to the "bulk" charge rate. The HPV-22B is not one of those, it simply has two settings, high and low. You definitely do not want to leave it on high (dry camp) for an extended period of time when you are not using the vehicle.

You can disconnect the chassis battery if you want, but there is no real need to do so.

-Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147256
Ted,

If you decide to leave the batteries in the coach, make sure they are charged, then disconnect the negative leads. Lead acid batteries discharge about 5% per month, so 6 months is a bit of a stretch, though if they are in good condition, they'll survive. Better if you could move the batteries to a cool location or charge them at the storage half way poing.

I'd drain the fuel from the generator carb bowl. Remove the screw on the bowl, it faces you when you open the access door on the gen.

bumper
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147258
Great answer, Dave, and very clearly explained.  Now I get it and will leave it on shorepower setting.
 FYI, I do have a 3-stage 70-amp converter--the one that Larry W. helped many upgrade.  And I am keenly aware of the care needed not to damage AGMs with the voltage too high--and they were very expensive.  Mine total 300 amps.
 Any thoughts on the tradeoff between protecting batteries vs. protecting the finish on the coach (cover vs. no cover)?  I've seen too many coaches in California that look just awful.  Thanks a lot.  Ted
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147261
Bumper--Your opinion carries a lot of weight.  Thanks for responding.  FYI, I my second message adds the fact that these are AGMs.  Does that change your advice?
 Also I have Stabil in the fuel tank which has bee pulled through the generator fuel line and carb.  Does that change your advice on the need to drain the carb bowl or do I still need to do it?  I aasume varnish is the issue, is that correct?

Thanks--Ted
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147263
That does change my recommendations a bit!

AGM batteries, as least when they are reasonably fresh and not on their last legs, self-discharge at only 1 - 2% a month, so storing them fully charged for 6 months presents no risk of damage. I would disconnect the negative lead to the battery bank as a precaution against phantom loads, something forgotten etc, depleting the batteries.

I use Stabil too and am sure the fuel in the generator carburetor bowl is likely to survive. I still suggest getting in the habit of draining the carb bowl prior to long term storage. Mostly as it is so easy to do with the drain screw "right there" in front - guaranteed protection. The bottom of the carb bowl is were the fuel shut off solenoid lives, if it gums up, gen-set stay *really* Microquiet.

bumper
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147273
I cannot respond to that.  My vehicle is in my garage when not in use.  Our concern here is snow more than excessive sunshine  :)

-Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147280
If you're interested in storing your rig and don't mind storing it a bit of a ways from home, there's a good indoor storage facility in Rocklin (just east of Sacramento) that you can pay monthly for short term storage.  It's a warehouse type facility rather than individual storage units.

We kept our old RV down there during the winter and plan to do the same with the new one.  We call a day in advance and they bring it out of the warehouse to an enclosed and locked outside yard.  They charge by the length of the unit.  Our 24 footer costs $175/month.

http://www.indoorrv.com/

Syndi
2014 TK
The Super Flea
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147289
Thanks, Joan.  I'll check it out.  Generally in the Bay area, indoor storage costs $200-300/mo per my survey.  The problem with storing it indoors far from the East Bay  for cheaper prices is exercising the generator once a month.  If it were not for that, I wouldn't mind the distance going just for rv trips.  The place I stored it in Vallejo is $71/mo outdoors.  Ted
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147290
Thanks, Bumper.  Superb advice. Right now I had to leave it stored without the cover (on order) and we're back in Oregon, so I left the solar on in "shore power" mode (Thank you Dave!).  Based on your information, I can confidently cover it when we are next back in the Bay area, disconnect the negative cable, and turn off the solar.
 Next time I am down there, I will also exercise the generator and drain the bowl.  I know repairing generators is very expensive.

Thanks again--Ted
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147291
Thanks.  I've decided to keep it outdoors, with a new cover, based on Bumper's advice on the batteries (trading off solar power for protection of a cover).  Again based on Bumper's advice for AGMs, I think I am better off worrying more about the California sun than damage to very slowly discharging batteries.  Ted
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147260
Yes.  I redo the finish once per year with the expensive stuff LD recommends.  But does that guarantee uv protection for months in the California summer?

We live in Oregon and are trying to buy a house in the bay area.  We're heading back to Oregon this week (empty handed), where I have always stored the coach indoors.  For the first time, we are  not taking the coach back to Oregon (where it would be kept indoors), but leaving it in California in anticipation of a near-future move.  Inoor storage in the bay area is horrendously expensive--$250-$300/mo.

So, I decided to buy a cover.  I hate that awful, chalky appearance, due to oxidation.  Everyone who sees the coach is shocked that it is 10 years old this month.  It looks brand new, or close to it.  I don't want to lose that, so I bought a cover.  I don't want to lose my batteries either, so I'm trying to  find the intelligent compromise.  Thanks again for your very helpful responses.

Ted


to help the finish-- wax it very well with a good wax david
 
Re: How to store LD for several months?
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 147274
"But does that guarantee uv protection for months in the California summer?" --- A polymer treatment, e.g., Finish Kare 2180, will help, but, in my experience, nothing except being 'under cover' ultimately prevents finish oxidation and fading if a rig is stored outside. The silver and  red finishes are by far the most susceptible to exterior sun damage, but the other colors will eventually weather and fade, too, particularly on the *fiberglass* sections of the motorhome.

I live in the south Bay Area; my 2003 is stored, uncovered', next to the house in a more or less 'east-west' orientation, and it has a bit of sun damage/fade on the fiberglass sections around the taillights and along the front edge of the hood, and the painted 'black boxes' on the overcab need a do-over. In my experience, if a rig is not kept 'covered' in one way or another, even if the finish is diligently cared for, it will show some results of exposure sooner or later.

If you end up storing the motorhome in an outside storage lot or on a property you buy (do make sure that parking your motorhome on your property is permitted at all; lots of local and HOA ordinances!), I suggest that you keep your tires covered and '303' anything vinyl, other plastic, and 'rubber'.

Good luck! ;-)

Joan
2003 TK has a new home