Summer storage between trips - disconnect battery??

[LNinMN]

What do you do with your battery between camping trips? We have a brand new 2024 16’ Caravel with the Lithium upgrade. We put it in our storage unit fully charged for 2wks with the battery disconnect button set and returned to what seemed like a dead battery.

This time we have tried disconnecting the negative terminal as mentioned in the owners guide “which wasn’t easy” and now that negative cable keeps wanting to spark … we found a spot that hopefully it will stay put … but needless to say we are nervous we are doing this completely wrong.

LN in MN

[Bill M.]

If you do not have power available where you store the the trailer then I think you do have to disconnect the negative cable. The spark when you connect or disconnect the cable is because the trailer is drawing power. People add a disconnect switch. I store my trailer in the driveway with power connected. I used to use a timer to just give it power for an hour a day.

[LNinMN]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

If you do not have power available where you store the the trailer then I think you do have to disconnect the negative cable. The spark when you connect or disconnect the cable is because the trailer is drawing power. People add a disconnect switch. I store my trailer in the driveway with power connected. I used to use a timer to just give it power for an hour a day.

Unfortunately our neighborhood bylaws prohibits keeping RV/Campers in driveways … I agree that would be the easiest option. The disconnect switch is a good idea.

[Spartanfam]

I installed a solar disconnect (circuit breaker) and battery disconnect, both.
No sense slowing energy to the solar charger unnecessarily.. plus it can zap you if you’re messing around with wiring even with the battery disconnected…. Ask me how I know.

[Hans627]

Even the Use/Store switch is turned off (as in the store position) it is still drawing power from the batteries. So either disconnecting the batteries or install a battery cutoff switch would be the remedy.

[3OnOurWay]

Hi battery disconnect a quick easy investment if that your long term storage plan.

Not familiar with that type of trailer does it come with solar, solar would recharge the batteries considerably making storage over summer really simple. Another upgrade idea is adding a smart shunt, will tell you exactly what your amperage draw is. Always lots of options to make your use the most enjoyable it can be ( it’s a learning curve first 6 months / a year). I think the more you use it, the steeper the curve to reaching enjoyment.

[LNinMN]

Thank you! Lots of good advice! We do have solar, but as we found a year round indoor storage, we are going to look into adding a true disconnect on the battery … plus research the smart shunt. Yes … the first camping trip was a bit overwhelming on all the new features for us coming from a popup!

LN

[Mollysdad]

The "Use/Store" switch is not a true battery disconnect, as you learned.
Best to install a real battery disconnect. Here's mine.