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Topic: A Different Battery ??? (Read 6 times) previous topic - next topic
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A Different Battery ???
Yahoo Message Number: 88410
After reading all the discussion on batteries and pondering how much more "Cold to us" winter weather we will have here in central Texas - we are about 60 miles north or Austin & it can get down in the 20's -

My Question is: When it gets below freezing and stays there for several hours what effect does it have on the coach batteries & is there anything special to do to protect them from real cold temps?
 We have two AM solar panels and it is plugged into full electric hook up at it's parking pad in the rear of our driveway - Starr sets outside with the drivers side near the neighbors little yard building offering some shelter to that side were batteries are located. I monitor the solar panels daily, have the solar monitor set on dry camping with the breaker switch on the converter to the batteries off when we have lots of sunny days and change to shore power/flip breaker on when cloudy, monthly check the batteries with the quick-fill adapter and since I am working on re-modeling the wardrobe and organizing our gear am using the lights etc to exercise the batteries.

I sure don't want frozen batteries or exploding ones - Virginia Starr & Midnight Roadie http://travelingstarr.blogspot.com/
Re: Cold batteries
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88412
"When it gets below freezing and stays there for several hours what effect does it have on the coach batteries & is there anything special to do to protect them from real cold temps? I sure don't want frozen batteries or exploding ones"

As long as your batteries are charged and their fluid levels are normal, they won't freeze.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
A Different Battery ???
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88434
up at it's parking pad in the rear of our driveway - Starr sets outside with the drivers side near the neighbors little yard building offering some shelter to that side were batteries are located. I monitor the solar panels daily, have the solar monitor set on dry camping with the breaker switch on the converter to the batteries off when we have lots of sunny days and change to shore power/flip breaker on when cloudy, monthly check the batteries with the quick-fill adapter.>>

Virginia

…………..
 Well, now I have a question because I thought I was doing things right.
When I got back from the factory about a month ago I drove my RB directly to it’s rightful place under it’s pole barn and it has been sitting there ever since.  It still has it’s Calif. dirt on it.  When Dave gave me the walk thru he said I didn’t have to do a thing about the solar panels when I got home.  He said to just make sure the rig was plugged into AC and everything would be automatic.  I do weekly battery checks with the quick-fill and make sure the solar monitor has the proper reading.  He said that once it’s out of the pole barn (and the sun was out) that the solar panels would take over.  Is this too simplistic?  Am I not doing something I ought to?

Judy Wms.
’07 blue RB  “Dog Daze” and the fur kids

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
A Different Battery ???
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88436
Quote
home.  He said to just make sure the rig was plugged into AC and everything would be automatic.  I do weekly battery checks with the quick-fill
and make
 
Quote
sure the solar monitor has the proper reading.  He said that once
it's out
 
Quote
of the pole barn (and the sun was out) that the solar panels would take over.  Is this too simplistic?  Am I not doing something I ought to?
The switching is automatic, because once the solar panels are exposed to the sun and you are disconnected from shorepower, their voltage will rise above battery voltage, so they will begin charging. They require no maintenance - ever - except an occasional wipe- or rinse-down to remove dust and litter. This IS the beauty of solar panels as a power source. Now, your generator, on the other hand ....

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
A Different Battery ???
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88455
...said to just make sure the rig was plugged into AC...be automatic.
...once it's out of the pole barn (and the sun was out) that the solar panels would take over.  Is this too simplistic?  Am I not doing something I ought to? Judy ... The switching is automatic, because once the solar panels are exposed to the sun and you are disconnected from shorepower, their voltage will rise above battery voltage, so they will begin charging.
Steve

Judy -
 Our AM solar panels were installed after we took delivery of Starr - our set-up is different than the factory install you have - though I believe we have the same brand.
The procedure I had mentioned in my early post was taught to me by The RV Guy to allow the solar to work to it's fullest and not give opportunity for possible over charging by the converter giving a trickle charge from shore power - It sounds real complicated but it is very simple, has kept me involved with the solar monitor so I am learning and understanding more - Solar is so cool and simple, just take it as it appears to be.

Virginia central Texas http://travelingstarr.blogspot.com/