RV Battery Maintenance Tips to Get You on the Road Safely

When spring comes, RV owners are anxious to power up and hit the road. Spring break is often the first major RV trip of the season. If your RV has been sitting in storage over the winter, you’ll need to completely charge the batteries before you head out on the highway. Before you do that, complete these routine maintenance procedures suggested by Interstate Batteries:

> Charging should not be performed at extreme high (+120 degrees F.) or low temperatures. Extreme cold will slow charging and reduce battery capacity. Extreme heat is more dangerous and can cause overcharging and even explosion or fire.

> Make sure the cables are intact and that connectors are tight. Use insulated tools to prevent shorting the terminals.

> Make sure vent caps are correctly installed and tight.

> Batteries should be clean of dirt and corrosion. If necessary, remove corrosion with a wire brush and wash away dirt with a 50/50  solution of baking soda and water.

> In non-sealed batteries, if plates are exposed, replenish with distilled water so plates are covered 1/8 inch. If plates are not exposed, replenishing should be performed after charging.

> Battery charger used should be correctly matched to battery being charged and have capacity to fully charge the battery within 8 hours.

>After charging, replenish water and check acid levels. Acid level should be 1/4 inch below bottom of cell cover fill well.

To keep your new or used RV ready to roll, check batteries once a month.