Battery Disconnecting on Solar Application

[jeff4506]

I have the solar upgrade and new to this. My understanding is the solar panels are continuously charging my batteries. I want to store the batteries for the winter. Is there a preferred procedure to disconnect the batteries?

I suspect I should disconnect the negative first, then the positive leads; but because of the solar charging should I be taking precautions to somehow insulate the positive leads from touching the metal battery box and frame?

Like to know what others do.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Not sure how the factory solar is wired, but shutting off the battery isolator switch should do the trick. See owners manual, the switch is located on the panel behind couch/bed slide-out drawer.
The battery boxes in our 03 Classic are made from a composite material but I still insulate the cables when removing the batts for the Winter. I occasionally plug into shore power with batts out so the insulation is more a precaution. I always go neg first, but remember you have two, so if you don't do both negs first, a short with one still connected will still cause a big surprise.

This is a useful item to keep 'em charged over the Winter...
BatteryMINDer Plus 12 Volt 1.3 Amp Battery Charger: BatteryMart.com

[jeff4506]

Thanks for the insight. I've read my manual thoroughly but I could have missed that. I recall reading the solar charging mechanism behind my couch (near the electric bus), but I thought it was enclosed and inaccessible. I'll have to take a look.

[ostream]

+1 for the BatteryMINDer. With the factory solar upgrade, you should have 2 AGM batteries. If so, this is the correct maintainer - 12 Volt 1 Amp BatteryMINDer PLUS AGM

[jeff4506]

Yes, I do. They're Lifeline GPL-24T. They're around 4 years old now. Not sure how the PO cared for them, but I suspect they probably sat in the box and kept maintained via the solar charging. Thinking they're probably on their way out, I brought them to Autozone yesterday to have a load placed on them. They thought they were still in good shape. Was wondering if others could share their experience with these batteries. They're crazy expensive and I was wondering what kind of life expectancy they have.