| The two most common causes for RV battery | | | | check the electrolyte level in each cell and add distilled |
| failure are undercharging and overcharging. | | | | water if necessary. The minimum level required is at |
| Undercharging is a result of batteries being repeatedly | | | | the top of the plates. If it's below the plates add |
| discharged and not fully recharged between cycles. If | | | | enough distilled water to cover the plates before you |
| a battery is not recharged the sulfate material that | | | | charge the battery. |
| attaches to the discharged portions of the plates | | | | Test the battery state of charge with a voltmeter |
| begins to harden into crystals. Over time this sulfate | | | | or hydrometer and charge any batteries that are at |
| cannot be converted back into active plate material | | | | or below 80%. An 80% charge is approximately 12.5 |
| and the battery is ruined. This also occurs when a | | | | volts for a 12 volt battery and 6.25 volts for a 6 volt |
| battery remains discharged for an extended period | | | | battery. Lead sulfation starts when a battery state |
| of time, like during storage. Sulfation is the number | | | | of charge drops below 80%. After charging the |
| one cause of battery failure. The second leading | | | | batteries check and fill each cell to 1/8 inch below the |
| cause of battery failure is overcharging. Overcharging | | | | fill well with distilled water. Overfilling cells will cause |
| batteries results in severe water loss and plate | | | | battery acid to overflow. |
| corrosion. With that said let's look at how to properly | | | | Caution: Batteries should only be charged in a well |
| store your RV batteries. | | | | ventilated area and keep any sparks and open flames |
| Before we talk about storing the batteries we need | | | | away from a battery being charged. Check the |
| to talk about battery safety. Lead acid batteries | | | | electrolyte levels before and after charging batteries. |
| contain sulfuric acid which is extremely corrosive and | | | | A discharged or partially charged battery will freeze |
| can cause severe burns or even blindness. And the | | | | much faster than a charged battery. Store the |
| hydrogen gas that batteries produce when they're | | | | batteries in a cool dry place but not where they |
| charging is very explosive. When you work around | | | | could freeze. Batteries in storage will loose a |
| batteries you need to wear goggles and gloves, | | | | percentage of current through internal leakage. It's |
| remove all jewelry and do not smoke or use any | | | | not uncommon for a battery to discharge up to 10% |
| open flames. | | | | a month when it is being stored. Cold temperatures |
| Caution: If you accidentally get battery acid on your | | | | slow this natural discharge process down and warmer |
| skin, flush it with lots of water and if it gets in your | | | | temperatures speed the process up. Test thestored |
| eyes flush with low pressure water for 15 minutes | | | | battery state of charge every month and charge |
| and call a doctor. | | | | batteries that are at or below an 80% state of |
| When you put the RV in long term storage it's a | | | | charge. |
| good idea to remove the batteries and put them in | | | | Completely charge the batteries before re-installing |
| storage too. This is quite simple to do. The first thing | | | | them next spring. For optimum performance you can |
| we want to do is visually inspect the batteries for | | | | equalize the batteries after they are fully charged. An |
| any obvious damage. Any fluid on or around the | | | | equalizing charge is an increase in charging voltage |
| battery may be an indication that electrolyte is | | | | similar to a bulk charge to convert any crystallized |
| leaking from the battery. A damaged or leaking | | | | lead sulfate back into its original components. |
| battery should be replaced immediately. Whenever | | | | If you decide to leave the batteries in the RV while it |
| you remove any battery always remember to | | | | is in storage remember to check the state of charge |
| remove the negative terminal or cable first, and then | | | | monthly and charge any batteries at or below an |
| the positive cable. | | | | 80% charge. Some RV converter multi-stage |
| Battery Tip: When you remove a battery turn off | | | | chargers and aftermarket chargers are designed to |
| the ignition switch, all electrical switches, and any | | | | maintain a float charge on the battery without |
| battery disconnect switches before you disconnect | | | | removing the batteries from the RV. Remember, for |
| the battery cables. Whenever you remove any | | | | the converter charger to work the RV will need to |
| battery cables label them first so you remember how | | | | be plugged in to electricity. |
| they go back on the battery. When you reinstall the | | | | For more information on RV batteries check out our |
| battery do it in the reverse order. Install the positive | | | | Deep Cycle Battery Care & Maintenance DVD. |
| cable first and then the negative cable. | | | | Happy Camping, |
| Clean the batteries with a 50/50 mixture of baking | | | | Mark Polk |
| soda and water if necessary, i.e. use one pound of | | | | Copyright 2007 by Mark J. |
| baking soda to one gallon of water. Now you can | | | | |