winterizing - battery - Event Date: 10 Nov 2015

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   I have a R-POD 178. I finished winterizing the trailer. I disconnected the negative terminals from the main 12v battery. I covered the R-POD with a cover I bought from Amazon. It covers the battery case as well. Is it ok to leave the battery in its case for the winter or should I remove it and put it in the cellar or garage?

What do you do?

Thank you

Ken

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diagdad Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21 Jan 2014 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 10	Calendar Event: winterizing - battery Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 11:38am
	I have a R-POD 178. I finished winterizing the trailer. I disconnected the negative terminals from the main 12v battery. I covered the R-POD with a cover I bought from Amazon. It covers the battery case as well. Is it ok to leave the battery in its case for the winter or should I remove it and put it in the cellar or garage? What do you do? Thank you Ken

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 2:03pm
	The battery can stay outside all winter, but it will need checking and/or recharging every 2-3 months to avoid damage. The battery is not likely to freeze, but it should not be allowed to remain in a mostly discharged state.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

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: 10 Nov 2015 at 6:28pm
	yup, the cold weather will actually extend its life. Recharge every 2 months when it is cold, every month when it is warm.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

hogone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Apr 2013 Location: St. Louis Online Status: Offline Posts: 1042	Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 8:11am
	hogone needs clarification!! just to confirm, one disconnects the negative terminals for winterization, not positive (or the lead positive for two batteries? I get so. hogone
	Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD

diagdad Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21 Jan 2014 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 10	Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 8:22am
	Leaving the battery connected will drain the battery over time. This is because certain devices like entertainment center and carbon monoxide detector will slowly drain the battery. Disconnect the negative side removes the battery from the circuit. You can remove the positive but it will not gain you anything if the negative side is disconnected. The reason for negative and not positive is to disconnect the ground. If the ground is connected and the disconnected positive terminal wires touch something grounded it will cause a shot circuit which could lead to a fire or kill the battery.

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 11 Nov 2015 at 9:09am
	For a single 12V battery or two 6V batteries in series it is only necessary to disconnect one lead. It is slightly preferable to disconnect the negative since the loose positive could contact the trailer frame and cause a problem, but only if the converter is plugged into shore power. For two 12V batteries in parallel it is best to disconnect all (2) wires from the negative battery terminal that has the wire from the trailer connected to it. The idea is that both batteries be completely disconnected electrically.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

diagdad Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21 Jan 2014 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 10	Posted: 15 Nov 2015 at 10:07am
	Has anyone tried to leave the battery connected and plug the R-Pod into the house with the hot water heater off for the entire winter? This will keep the battery trickled charged. Any draw backs? If so What would you suggest is a good cheep trickle charger I could connect the battery to outside the R-Pod? Thank you Ken

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 15 Nov 2015 at 11:30am
	It should be fine. Mine is like that now. The WFCO converter unit has a built in 3 stage charger. My batteries have suffered no ill effects by leaving the unit plugging into the house all winter. In fact, my camper is plugged in all summer too, except when I'm on the road.