Battery winterizing

[Munchie]

This year for the first time in 35 years I will need to winterize my trailer. Although, I have helped others and I’m very well versed in the procedure, I’m not sure what I should do about my AGM batteries. I will be in unheated and enclosed storage. Should I remove them or leave in place? I can plug in and charge them every months if need be.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by Munchie

This year for the first time in 35 years I will need to winterize my trailer. Although, I have helped others and I’m very well versed in the procedure, I’m not sure what I should do about my AGM batteries. I will be in unheated and enclosed storage. Should I remove them or leave in place? I can plug in and charge them every months if need be.

Not sure where the trailer will be stored, but for the most part a fully charged AGM battery can be disconnected and left in place for the winter without problems. Just take a few good photos before disconnecting so you know which cable goes where.

[CBWELL]

Make sure they are fully charged, disconnect the -negative post. I wrap the cable end in electrical tape "just in case" it comes back in contact with the battery post. You will have no problems in the spring, as there will be very minimal loss over the winter.

[waninae39]

Go lion battery. They can be left on the as all winter long

[field & stream]

Generally, AGM batteries are ok down to minus thirty or so if fully charged. It’s hard to predict for you because we don’t know where you will be storing the trailer. Disconnecting them is a good idea, and one of the several reasons for installing a disconnect switch at the batteries.

Lithium battery manufacturers have started advising people to bring them inside at temps below minus 20. In Colorado that’s what I do.

[Munchie]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. Old dogs can learn new tricks. To each, happy holidays.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by richard5933

Not sure where the trailer will be stored, but for the most part a fully charged AGM battery can be disconnected and left in place for the winter without problems. Just take a few good photos before disconnecting so you know which cable goes where.

Agree; many winters with Lead Acid batteries in freeze weather. I used to leave my bronco out in -20+ weather in MT and was able to always start when we would visit over December/January. I did remove my ATV, smaller batteries however. Here in TX, with all previous AS's past 20 years, I never removed my lead acid batteries, even when it got down in the teens, without issue. Now with the Li batteries, they have a safety shut down feature for low temp. The LiTime model Group 24 with Bluetooth monitoring I have are on sale this weekend for $199/each. (also check out the EPOCH 300AH 12V model-more money $900~, but one battery and fits in the box. Still the LiTime are pretty nice also at lower price.

https://www.litime.com/products/12v-...mart-bluetooth

[DewTheDew]

It doesn't get super cold here in suburban MD, so I leave the batteries connected and they stay charged with the solar panels.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by DewTheDew

It doesn't get super cold here in suburban MD, so I leave the batteries connected and they stay charged with the solar panels.

Batteries only have so many charge/discharge cycles in them, so when I'm not making use of the batteries I like to leave them alone. If they are fully charged (or charged to the manufacturer's recommendations) they can be disconnected and sit for a long time undisturbed. This prevents them from experiencing unnecessary charge/discharge cycles and prolongs their life a bit.