Posted 2016-12-07 9:53 AM (#168942) Subject: charging LQ batteries in the winter
Member
Posts: 15
Location: Michigan
I own a 2017 Merhow with LQ, which is about 7 months old and I purchased brand new in the spring. When I took it to get winterized (at a camper place), they told me to either a) take the batteries off for the winter and store them inside (and btw, be careful putting them back on or you could ruin your converter lol) or b) plug the trailer into the house/barn continuously for the entire winter so the batteries wont get ruined. I store my trailer parked on gravel, outside of the barn.
Unfortunately, neither of these is an option. I called the dealer I purchased from and he told me as long as I kept some charge in the batteries, for example, plugging the trailer in once a month or so, I should be fine. Basically, dont let them get completely "empty." So last week, my batteries were 2/3 full, and I plugged the trailer into to the barn for a full 24 hrs. When I came back the next day, the battery was still 2/3 full, and I didn't leave any lights or anything else on in the LQ. I did make sure the "power" switch to the trailer was on.
Is this normal? Or does it usually take more than day in the cold to get the 2 batteries to full charge? The lowest our temps have gotten here so far was 25 degrees or so the other night, not too horrible yet. Usually when I plug in during the summer, it's just a day or two prior to a show to get the fridge cold, so I dont pay too much attention to the battery level. I never camp just with the battery alone either, I am always somewhere I can plug into shore power.
Posted 2016-12-07 10:20 AM (#168943 - in reply to #168942) Subject: RE: charging LQ batteries in the winter
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
You can purchase battery maintenance tenders that will keep the batteries fully charged for long term storage. They will not over charge the batteries and you will not have to energise the entire trailer's electrical systems, to use the built its charging system .The tenders can be purchased inexpensively from Harbor Freight or better ones from almost any auto parts store. Having a discharged battery subjected to freezing temperatures can ruin the battery. The tenders are a fraction of what a replacement cost for the batteries would entail..
Posted 2016-12-07 10:42 AM (#168944 - in reply to #168943) Subject: RE: charging LQ batteries in the winter
Member
Posts: 15
Location: Michigan
gard - 2016-12-07 11:20 AM You can purchase battery maintenance tenders that will keep the batteries fully charged for long term storage. They will not over charge the batteries and you will not have to energise the entire trailer's electrical systems, to use the built its charging system .The tenders can be purchased inexpensively from Harbor Freight or better ones from almost any auto parts store. Having a discharged battery subjected to freezing temperatures can ruin the battery. The tenders are a fraction of what a replacement cost for the batteries would entail..
Do I have to take the batteries off the trailer in order to use the maintenance tenders?
Thanks! I cut and pasted the exact link but it took me to the main page, with a whole bunch of different types of battery stuff. I am inept at all of this, I wouldnt even know what kind to get (or how to use it). The user's manual that came with my trailer was laughable, I dont even know what kind of batteries are on it other than that there are 2, and they are in black cases lol. Which is why it would be easiest to just leave everything as is and plug it in once a month to keep the charges up. I"m just wondering if it's normal for the battery to not charge all of the way in 24 hrs when it was 2/3 full prior to plugging in (still connected to the trailer).
Posted 2016-12-07 5:07 PM (#168948 - in reply to #168942) Subject: RE: charging LQ batteries in the winter
Regular
Posts: 88 Location: Washington
Here's an example of one of the battery tender/ minders. https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1481151697&sr=1-1&keywords=battery+tender+jr It may well take more than a day. 2/3 full is a little deceptive with batteries. Leave it plugged in for a couple of days. I once had my inverter/ charger blow it's main fuse because of the current inrush when the batteries had been discharged too low.
Posted 2016-12-07 7:25 PM (#168950 - in reply to #168942) Subject: RE: charging LQ batteries in the winter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448 Location: Los Angeles, Ca.
generally, the on board voltmeters are incredibly inaccurate. 2/3 full may actually be 95% full charge. You can buy a more accurate device that plugs into 12v accessory to get a more accurate reading.
Thanks! I cut and pasted the exact link but it took me to the main page, with a whole bunch of different types of battery stuff. I am inept at all of this, I wouldnt even know what kind to get (or how to use it). The user's manual that came with my trailer was laughable, I dont even know what kind of batteries are on it other than that there are 2, and they are in black cases lol. Which is why it would be easiest to just leave everything as is and plug it in once a month to keep the charges up. I"m just wondering if it's normal for the battery to not charge all of the way in 24 hrs when it was 2/3 full prior to plugging in (still connected to the trailer).
Well, before you start doing anything you might want to remove those black battery covers and check which way they are linked up...the following diagram will tell you if you have 6 or 12 volt batteries on your trailer... http://rvdreams.smugmug.com/photos/191128328-S.jpg
Posted 2016-12-12 5:13 AM (#168962 - in reply to #168954) Subject: RE: charging LQ batteries in the winter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
They also make solar power trickle chargers. If you don't have access to A/C one of these can keep a fully charged battery up. I use one when primitive camping to help replace daily useage, as I do not have a generator.
Posted 2016-12-13 3:42 AM (#168969 - in reply to #168962) Subject: RE: charging LQ batteries in the winter
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I have a 1.5 amp automatic charger that stays busy this time of year. I move it from trailer to trailer, tractor to tractor, truck to truck, etc. It will take several weeks to get around to everything. Had the 2 year old LQ batteries check couple weeks ago by the dealer while they were flooring the hay rack to make it safer. Three of those Interstate 100 amp RV/trolling motor type batteries. Trailer guy says they are all bad, but everything had been working fine, so I say leave them be, I'll change them out come spring..... Bring the trailer home put my 1.5 amp charger on and within four days all three batteries were reading real good. I'll run the generator about an hour once a month so as to keep them up but it doesn't do the same as charging each battery individually...... I got more battery charger time than I have $$$.$$ for new LQ batteries in the dead of winter...!!! I got plenty of roof area, may get me some of those solar panels to keep everything topped off on the LQ trailer....
Posted 2017-01-22 2:18 PM (#169158 - in reply to #168962) Subject: RE: charging LQ batteries in the winter
Regular
Posts: 74 Location: NW
rockyrider - 2016-12-12 5:13 AM They also make solar power trickle chargers. If you don't have access to A/C one of these can keep a fully charged battery up. I use one when primitive camping to help replace daily useage, as I do not have a generator.
Posted 2017-01-23 3:09 AM (#169164 - in reply to #169158) Subject: RE: charging LQ batteries in the winter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
I believe my trickle charger is 1.5w The one I have is made by Coleman. Menards has 55w & 80w kits that are made by npower, been thinking about getting one of those in future.
Posted 2017-01-24 5:05 AM (#169171 - in reply to #168942) Subject: RE: charging LQ batteries in the winter
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
I went out and checked, my Colman Solar Trickle charger is 2w. It's very convienient / flexible to use. It measure 5" wide x 12" long with hole in ends. I use the holes to zip tie it in postion to get most sun light available where ever I park.
charging LQ batteries in the winter
