Battery maintenance - Event Date: 06 Jan 2012 - 20 Mar 2012

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How do I keep my Interstate battery in good condition?  I only have access to an outside plug once per month for 24 hours because I reside in an apartment complex.  I also have a small battery charger.  The battery is a bit heavy for me to lift (senior citizen).  I only use the R-Pod about every two months.  The charger has a "fast charge"-12 volts, and a "float charge"-12 volts.  Do I keep the battery on "float" in between usage or plug R-Pod in once per month on a 24 hour outside plug?
HELP!!  Blissful

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blissful Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Location: Florida Online Status: Offline Posts: 53	Calendar Event: Battery maintenance Posted: 06 Jan 2012 at 11:21am
	How do I keep my Interstate battery in good condition? I only have access to an outside plug once per month for 24 hours because I reside in an apartment complex. I also have a small battery charger. The battery is a bit heavy for me to lift (senior citizen). I only use the R-Pod about every two months. The charger has a "fast charge"-12 volts, and a "float charge"-12 volts. Do I keep the battery on "float" in between usage or plug R-Pod in once per month on a 24 hour outside plug? HELP!! Blissful

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 06 Jan 2012 at 3:28pm
	There are one of two options but you'll only be able to use one of them. The first is to bring the battery into a garage and keep it on a float charger. Inside (like an apartment) or in a basement isn't a good idea because lead acid batteries emit hydrogen when charging. Add on the lifting factor and your only safe option is the next one. During warm months batteries must be charged a minimum of once a month, overnight, plus they should be charged overnight before each trip and again after a trip (which would meet the once a month requirement if you take trips often enough) if possible. During the middle of winter - if they are stored outside where they will be kept cold - they can be charged every 2-3 months. Florida won't get cold enough except for the odd cold snap like you just had, so you should stick to once a month year round. Use the "fast charge" setting on your charger, the "float charge" setting won't be fast enough. That is only useful to keep an already charged battery, charged.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 06 Jan 2012 at 3:47pm
	One more thing, make sure you disconnect the battery from the Pod in between charges and in between trips. The LP detector will completely drain the battery within a week or two if you don't. Do that 2-3 times and your battery will be dead for good. While my popup came with a nice disconnect plug, the Pods don't have one. I added a 30 amp fuse on the positive cable just outside the battery box, and use that as my disconnect.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 06 Jan 2012 at 4:03pm
	I second everything that Techntrek wrote. Once per month should be OK, provided something like the propane detector is not draining the battery. Also, something to keep an eye on is the water level in the cells. I keep my batteries in the garage (which stays around 50F in the winter) and I use a "Battery Tender" type product. I put them on it once per month. It will "bulk charge" for a while then switch to "float" sometime during a 24hr period. Sorry, I've never timed how long it actually stays in bulk mode. In my situation, one 24hr period per month is just fine.

sfish Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Location: Bloomington Mn. Online Status: Offline Posts: 134	Posted: 06 Jan 2012 at 6:11pm
	I have had Battery Tenders on all of my batteries for years. I used to replace them all the time and now they really last long. Minnesota winters are harsh on them .I put them in the garage and alternate the tenders every couple of weeks. I own 6 of them.
	sjf

TerryM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Saint Augustine Online Status: Offline Posts: 1950	Posted: 06 Jan 2012 at 7:46pm
	Go to your locale hardware store and buy yourself a little red wagon. Put the battery in it and take it in the house and put a trickle charger on it. Terry
	RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565

MTB Pod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 Aug 2011 Location: Sacramento, CA Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 08 Jan 2012 at 10:09am
	I have a little coleman solar trickle charger that I use. I leave the battery in the battery box, disconnect it from the trailer so there's no additional drain from anything inside the trailer, then hook up the trickle charger. Even with our cloudy Portland winters, it keeps the battery charged nicely. At one time, Costco carried these little chargers, but I've also seen similar ones at Harbor Freight and Walmart. Marila
	Pete & Marila Sacramento, CA 2012 RPod 177 2001 Ford F-150 Crew Cab

Tidalwave4455 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Location: minnesota Online Status: Offline Posts: 57	Posted: 08 Jan 2012 at 12:03pm
	I bought a second Interstate battery from Batteries+. I mentioned that I had a float battery charger connected to the original battery while it sat on the Pod in an unheated garage. The clerk suggested that I remove the battery from the Pod and keep it in a location which would not freeze up. He mentioned that sometimes the charger will break down, the battery slowly discharges and then freezes, destroying the battery. From then on, I have stored my batteries in a location where they can't freeze.