Storage Concerns

[terirdh]

Hello Airstreamers!
I'm needing to put my Airstream in an enclosed storage unit for 5 months for the 1st time during the heat of summer. Since I live in it, I feel securing it this way will put my mind at ease since we are entering hurricane season, rather than just a covered spot. I am in south Texas, so not a winterizing issue. Would like to ask if anyone has any tips, ie: rodents, bugs, mildew...if recommended to cover or not.....AND I plan on putting battery in "STORE" mode but is that ALL that is necessary to preserve the battery?
Thank you for any advice you can offer, first time and a bit nervous! JUST being cautious, so I don't come back to problems!

[Fungus]

What type batteries do you have? Lithium. AGM. Lead. If not lithium you will likely need a battery tender to keep the batteries charged.

Put something inside to soak up humidity.

Prop open the fridge and freezer doors.

Leave stabilizers retracted. They are access points for critters.

Wash it before you store it.

[CMHM]

I did the following:

- air purifier / dehumidifier left on lowest setting and running in the hallway

- shower vent open

- airstream left powered on and plugged into 15a plug (I’m on lithium)

- Nest Security Camera left on to monitor, as well as Pepwave modem

- wifi Thermometer left on

[Oldhip]

If you have power use string lights to encircle your rig.
You can get low wattage strings of different lengths from Costco,etc.
Rodents hate smell of peppermint oil which can be dispersed on cotton balls and put around coach interior.
Cheapest way to buy is in quarts available on Ebay.

[terirdh]

Thank you ALL for your help....!!! It's greatly appreciated and has given ideas to work with....



just wondering.....
I have a 50 amp plug on my rig....but I also have a 30 and 15 amp adapter.....Isn't the 15 AMP adapter able to plug into a 120 outlet?
I do have electric inside the unit, do think I could just use the 15 amp and keep it plugged in for the 5 months....not need a battery charger....or would that use too much electricity? The storage place told me I could use a batter charger.
What are your thoughts?

[JoeHTP]

As far as leaving plugged in, depends on your batteries and charger. Some older Airstream chargers have a tendency to boil away the liquid in Lead Acid and AGM batteries if left plugged in long term. Battery Tender as suggested might be a better choice.

Originally Posted by terirdh

Thank you ALL for your help....!!! It's greatly appreciated and has given ideas to work with....



just wondering.....
I have a 50 amp plug on my rig....but I also have a 30 and 15 amp adapter.....Isn't the 15 AMP adapter able to plug into a 120 outlet?
I do have electric inside the unit, do think I could just use the 15 amp and keep it plugged in for the 5 months....not need a battery charger....or would that use too much electricity? The storage place told me I could use a batter charger.
What are your thoughts?

[DCPAS]

We have a newer model with a multi-stage converter (charger). We leave it plugged in to 15 amp service at our storage. If you do not have a multi stage converter, you are better off disconnecting the batteries and using a battery tender. We leave larger Damprid's inside and a couple of small fans to keep air circulating.

[terirdh]

I also have a multi-stage converter.....my issue seems to be the 5 months of being locked up and not able to checked on....after much discussion yesterday with different battery charging manufacturers.....it is NOT recommended to leave them plugged in that long and NOT be checked on periodically. They told me that while it may end up OK, there is also a risk that anything can happen during those 5 months. I'm not willing to take any risk of damage, fire...etc so I'm thinking maybe the best thing is put in STORE mode and hope for best but at least I don't have to worry about it while I'm gone. I did purchase a battery tender recommended for my battery, and I can use when I get back to recharge and monitor safely. I can leave it in the storage unit to do that or possibly take back and do at the RV place....the battery only runs the lights....so doesn't effect the moving, I don't think, but correct me if I'm wrong. My electric jack might be connected to it....but I can also do that manually.
thanks for everyone's thoughts and advice!
I'm not sure I will be allowed to plug a 15 amp plug at the storage place for 5 months.....but if I can, that might be the answer, if it doesn't run up their elect bill and only will be charging the battery.

[Fungus]

Battery engages the brakes on the event of a breakaway.

[Silvr_Bullet]

If you are planning on using a dehumidifier check that in the event of a power failure it returns to the n position. If possible suggest that someone can from time to time check it. If you have lithium batteries they will shut down before damaging themselves. A battery disconnect switch would be nice. Inflate tires too maximum published tire pressure.

[SYC2Vette]

We keep ours plugged in with a multistage battery charger. The GFI at our storage facility plug will trip every once in a while (maybe once every 6 weeks). So that stops our dehumidifier and the charger. Personally would not want to leave ours for 5 months without checking on it periodically.