|
|
04-19-2007, 11:02 AM
|
#1
|
Rivet Master
2014 27' Flying Cloud
Viera
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,296
|
How Long Should an Idle Battery Hold Its Charge
Our Safari is parked in a storage facility, not connected to shore power. Everything is turned off, and the battery is disconnected (set for storage) using the switch on the wall.
How long can a fully charged battery be expected to hold it's charge under these conditions?
We haven't had the trailer out since mid-February. We were at it yesterday, getting ready for a coming trip, and the monitor panel presented a yellow status light, when we powered up.
__________________
Randy & Pat Godfrey
Florida Airstream Club (027)
ACI# 1212 - AIR# 17017
2014 27FB Flying Cloud - SilverCabin II
2018 F-150 Platinum - unnamed
The best part of any trip is when you pull away from home.
|
|
|
04-19-2007, 01:53 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Sunnyvale
, California
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,894
|
Look for this thread..
There are severl threads on 12V v. 6V installations, and wet cell v. AGM bettery technology...
I think this thread http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...olt-14234.html has useful info on discharge rate for each battery type...
As they age the discharge rate increases, but I think practical limit even disconnected is 3 to 4 months without recharging, less if subject to extreme low or high temps...
__________________
Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
|
|
|
04-19-2007, 03:03 PM
|
#3
|
Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,759
|
If the battery is stored with a full charge, it will likely winter over without issues. I generally store mine from October through April and the battery still has charge when I take it out of storage. A lot will have to do with the age of the battery and the condition when it was stored, of course. The worst thing you can do is store a discharged battery. It will sulfate the plates and short out.
Rorger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
|
|
|
04-19-2007, 03:11 PM
|
#4
|
Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
|
It depends on your trailer vintage. With the master disconnect on, my 2001 Safari pulled .1 of an amp hour. With the master disconnect off, it drew .01 of an amp hour.
The problem is with the master disconnect on, your furnace, water heater, propane detector, are all drawing power, even though they are turned off. With master disconnect off, you still are pulling power to the propane detector.
It's just a matter of how many amp hours your battery(ies) can support, the master disconnect switch position, and the length of time that the trailer sits without an A/C connection.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
|
|
|
04-19-2007, 04:02 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
2004 22' International CCD
Spotsylvania
, Virginia
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 663
|
Phantom loads will slowly discharge your battery over time, even with the battery disconnect switch in the "Store" position. I found out the hard way last Spring. I even tried to charge it up with Shore Power through my converter/charger. It didn't work. I thought I had a dead battery for sure. I took it to the dealer to check out my charging system. Everything was OK, BUT when the battery discharges below 10.5 VDC, the battery solenoid closes and doesn't allow charging through the trailer's charging system. The battery has to be charged directly with an external DC charger to get it back up above 10.5 VDC before the trailer's charging system will work. Airstream doesn't mention this feature in the Owner's Manual. My battery fortunately wasn't damaged and is now fully charged and still working.
__________________
Bob
---------------
"THE BAUXITE BUNGALOW"
2004 22' CCD
1997 F-150
TAC VA-12
AIR# 4749
ex WBCCI# 1430
|
|
|
04-19-2007, 04:17 PM
|
#6
|
Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rseagle
Phantom loads will slowly discharge your battery over time, even with the battery disconnect switch in the "Store" position. I found out the hard way last Spring. .
|
Yep, that's why I've learned to pull the batteries at the time we winterize.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
|
|
|
04-19-2007, 05:14 PM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
2004 30' Classic Slideout
2021 33FB Classic
Colleyville
, TX
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,540
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcanavera
Yep, that's why I've learned to pull the batteries at the time we winterize.
Jack
|
Learned that lesson myself this Winter Jack. The University of Hard Knocks is the most valuable and most expensive I've ever attended.
__________________
In dog years, I'm dead!
|
|
|
04-19-2007, 06:23 PM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rgodfrey
Our Safari is parked in a storage facility, not connected to shore power. Everything is turned off, and the battery is disconnected (set for storage) using the switch on the wall.
How long can a fully charged battery be expected to hold it's charge under these conditions?
We haven't had the trailer out since mid-February. We were at it yesterday, getting ready for a coming trip, and the monitor panel presented a yellow status light, when we powered up.
|
Assuming that your battery is disconnected (and by this I mean removing the negative lead from the battery terminal completely and not relying on the disconnect switch) it is totally a function of the internal resistance of the battery. This assumes a 'no phantom load' situation, which is why I mentioned disconnecting the negative lead(s) from the battery.
AGMs are the longest lasting, as their internal resistance is 2-3%. They also charge much faster as this low internal resistance does not inhibit charging. Regular liquid cells are the worst, as their internal resistance can be 30% or more. What this translates to, in the AGM for example, is a 2-3% internal self discharge per month, which is almost negligeable, where a wet cell can be effectively 'dead' in the same time frame.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
|
|
|
04-19-2007, 07:36 PM
|
#9
|
Always Airstreaming!
2005 22' Safari
1960 24' Tradewind
Anytown
, Connecticut
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,115
|
We always pull our battery out for the winter and store it in the basement. Once a month I put the charger on it set on trickle charge for a day or two and each spring its good as new!
__________________
J. Rick Cipot
Sandi Gould
NEU New England Unit
Airstream Life Magazine
Proud Member of WBCCI
WBCCI #3411
AIR #17099
2009 Silverado 2500HD
2004 22' Safari
1960 24' Tradewind
|
|
|
04-19-2007, 07:38 PM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickandsandi
We always pull our battery out for the winter and store it in the basement. Once a month I put the charger on it set on trickle charge for a day or two and each spring its good as new!
|
Does that mean that you're storing it on .........CONCRETE?!?!
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
|
|
|
04-19-2007, 07:41 PM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
West of Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,699
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster
|
Ya beat me to it!
|
|
|
04-19-2007, 08:02 PM
|
#12
|
Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,759
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 85MH325
If the battery is stored with a full charge, it will likely winter over without issues. I generally store mine from October through April and the battery still has charge when I take it out of storage. A lot will have to do with the age of the battery and the condition when it was stored, of course. The worst thing you can do is store a discharged battery. It will sulfate the plates and short out.
Roger
|
This presumes that the terminals would be disconnected, not merely using the "disconnect" switch.
Roger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
|
|
|
04-19-2007, 08:32 PM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
2019 22' Sport
High River
, Alberta
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,176
|
storing batteries on concrete
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fyrzowt
Ya beat me to it!
|
My high school auto shop teacher told us never to store batteries on a concrete floor . . . but does anyone actually know why?
|
|
|
04-20-2007, 05:56 AM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlbertF
My high school auto shop teacher told us never to store batteries on a concrete floor . . . but does anyone actually know why?
|
At one point in the timeline of battery manufacturing, there 'might' have been issues with the material that was used to make the casings of batteries.
Modern polymer battery casings can be stored on just about any surface....INCLUDING CONCRETE!!!!!!! There is NO EFFECT from the concrete on a battery. Just another 'old wives tale (sorry girls ).
If you don't believe this, do a test with 2 new, fully charged identical batteries. Place one on the concrete and the other on some 2 X 4s. After a month or so, they will BOTH have exactly the same voltage reading and will respond to a load test with identical results! CASE CLOSED!
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
|
|
|
04-20-2007, 06:39 AM
|
#15
|
4 Rivet Member
2013 31' Classic
Crossville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 461
|
Battery maintainer
Quote:
Originally Posted by rgodfrey
Our Safari is parked in a storage facility, not connected to shore power. Everything is turned off, and the battery is disconnected (set for storage) using the switch on the wall.
How long can a fully charged battery be expected to hold it's charge under these conditions?
We haven't had the trailer out since mid-February. We were at it yesterday, getting ready for a coming trip, and the monitor panel presented a yellow status light, when we powered up.
|
I will admit to no knowledge as to whether your late model unit comes from the factory with a 3 stage convertor or not. IF you do not,and since no one else took the opportunity to tell you, I will. It is a very simple, and cheap aid-why not consider a battery maintainer?
I will not get into educating you concerning them, use your Google feature, however, for an initial cost of $29 or so, and a monthly electrical cost of mere pennies, you can store your unit with a maintainer hooked to the batteries, and come back, finding the batteries fully charged, but not overcharged or sulfated from lack of use, nor will the liquid be boiled out if you are using wet batteries. So much to be gained at such a small cost.
__________________
steelbird312 WBCCI #6673 jerry Hodge
2013 31" Classic limited
Have no intention of arriving at the grave safely, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, throttle in the other, totally worn out and screaming
"WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE!"
|
|
|
04-20-2007, 04:52 PM
|
#16
|
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rgodfrey
Our Safari is parked in a storage facility, not connected to shore power. Everything is turned off, and the battery is disconnected (set for storage) using the switch on the wall.
How long can a fully charged battery be expected to hold it's charge under these conditions?
We haven't had the trailer out since mid-February. We were at it yesterday, getting ready for a coming trip, and the monitor panel presented a yellow status light, when we powered up.
|
A small solar cell charger works great. Something in the order of 1/2 ampere is fine.
Only cost is the intial purchase price.
The energy from the sun, is free, at least for the time being.
Andy
|
|
|
04-20-2007, 06:10 PM
|
#17
|
INSANITY CENTRAL
1986 32' Excella
Airstream Funeral Coach
Citrus Heights
, California
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,108
|
you're killin me Andy, I hear in Santa Cruz CA. the city govt charges you for how much run off goes into the storm drains. Business owners I heard. Soon they will be taxing the air we breathe.
__________________
www.popasmoke.com
Proud Appellation American
Vine View Heights is now closed.
YETI ( 65 Quart )
IGLOO (Ice Cube, 50 Quart )
|
|
|
04-20-2007, 06:19 PM
|
#18
|
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by doorgunner
you're killin me Andy, I hear in Santa Cruz CA. the city govt charges you for how much run off goes into the storm drains. Business owners I heard. Soon they will be taxing the air we breathe.
|
The day of pay toilets may come back in style.
Rumor has it that California is going to have a toilet seat tax, for homes, hotels, businesses and RV's as well.
If they would only make people have current license plates, instead of expired, on their vehicles, they could reduce the budget.
Then, holly molley, if they fined people with only the driver in the car, that travels in the "car pool" lanes, California could have a budget surplus.
Lets see what Arnie has up his sleeves.
Andy
|
|
|
04-21-2007, 05:36 PM
|
#19
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Pittsfield
, Maine
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,108
|
I like Andy's comment about just using a simple solar panel. Currently, I store my rig in the driveway and periodically plug it in when I notice the batteries getting a tad low. The solar panel would keep me from struggling with the power cords when we have a foot or two of snow on the ground. Normally, using the panel for reference, I plug it in about every two to three weeks.
__________________
Cracker
2003 GMC 3500 D/A, CC, LB, 4x4 and 2000 Airstream Excella 30. WBCCI 7074
|
|
|
04-21-2007, 08:25 PM
|
#20
|
Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,017
|
We use one of the cheapo solar chargers. As the attachment shows, it's intended to be plugged into a cigarette lighter outlet. However, the cord was too short to reach from the back window of the AS to the nearest outlet, so we got a cheap cig lighter unit and larger alligator clips to build an extension cord to go from the charger directly to the battery. The charger is a 1-watt model, output only during the day (obviously), and we leave it plugged in all winter.
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|