Fall RV Battery Maintenance Tips

Many RVers are seasonal users, hectic school and work schedules or nasty weather keeping them off the roads in the winter. If you plan to store you RV for the winter, there are a few things you should know about battery storage and maintenance to prevent problems in the spring.

> When placing your RV in long-term storage, whether in your backyard, an RV storage facility or U-store unit, you should remove the batteries and store them separately.

> Batteries can be stored inside your RV only if they won’t be exposed to freezing temperatures during storage. If you cover your RV or store it where access will be difficult or limited, you’ll find it more convenient to store batteries apart from your RV.

> To prevent damage during storage, batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place where they won’t be exposed to freezing temperatures.

> Always remove the negative terminal connection first, then the positive terminal. Make sure you label each battery cable for goof-proof reconnection in the spring.

> Check batteries for corrosion. Use a 50/50 mix of baking soda and water to clean batteries if necessary. 

> Check fluid levels in battery cells. If fluid is low, fill to proper level with distilled water, taking care not to overfill.

> Keep batteries charged over the winter. Test batteries monthly. Recharge when charge drops to 80% or below (12.5 volts for 12-volt batteries, 6.25 volts for 6-volt batteries). When batteries lose their charge, they are more susceptible to freezing.