RV BATTERY SYSTEM

ARE YOUR BATTERY SYSTEMS IN CHECK?

HERE ARE 5 QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ASK YOURSELF

1

Do your battery systems contain quality, true “deep cycle” RV batteries?

True deep cycle flooded lead acid batteries are never “maintenance free.” Many retailers sell less expensive AND less effective “Dual Purpose” which are often marketed as “RV & Marine” batteries. They are frequently promoted as “maintenance free” and do not perform like a deep cycle.

3

Is your battery system showing physical abnormalities?

Bulging on the side usually indicates the battery has been frozen, causing permanent damage to its internal components and performance capabilities.

Any crack, hole or damage to the battery casing requires immediate replacement. Loose or broken posts indicate a serious, irreversible battery condition.

Excessive, ongoing corrosion on the posts or connections that occurs continuously, despite regular cleaning, is often an indication of impending battery failure and/or permanent underperformance.

2

How has your battery system performed over the past couple of years?

As all batteries age, ongoing usage causes gradually diminishing performance. This generally indicates they are at, or near, the end of their useful lives and should be replaced.

4

Have your batteries received regular maintenance during their lifetime?

If your battery systems are in good condition, but fail to fulfill your desired power needs, consider the following suggestions:

• Upsize your battery system with more or larger capacity batteries.
• Replace 12-volt batteries with 6-volt golf cart batteries. They provide much better and longer performance for higher power requirements.
• Switch to AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) or GEL batteries. They provide superior performance and do not require maintenance. Note: it is recommended to seek professional advice when considering GEL batteries as they require specific charging requirements.

5

How is the Power & performance of your battery system?

If your battery systems are in good condition, but fail to fulfill your desired power needs, consider the following suggestions:

Upsize your battery system with more or larger capacity batteries.

Replace 12-volt batteries with 6-volt golf cart batteries. The provide much better and longer performance for higher power requirements.

Switch to AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) or GEL batteries. They provide superior performance and do not require maintenance. Note: it is recommended to seek professional advice when considering GEL batteries as they require specific charging requirements.

We hope these questions provided you with the important and necessary information you’ll need before heading out on your next trip. If you need to replace your RV batteries, RV Care Dealers are there ready to assist you.

RV BATTERY COMPARISON 

RV BATTERY RECYCLING

Let’s keep batteries out of our Canadian landfills. Replace your used RV battery with a new RV Traveler’s Choice premium battery from your local RV Care Dealer and receive a $15 credit towards the cost of your new battery.

CANADA IS BEAUTIFUL, LET’S KEEP IT THAT WAY!

When you bring your used battery to an RV Care dealer, you are contributing to a great cause:

WHY? IT’S ALL OUR FUTURE’S!

• • 200 Million lbs. of lead a year
  • 11.8 million lbs. of plastic a year
  • Millions of gallons of acid

RV Traveler’s Choice has chosen a WORLD CLASS battery manufacturing partner, with state-of-the-art recycling facilities.

WHY? IT’S ALL OUR FUTURE’S!

WINTER RV BATTERY STORAGE

When storing your battery over the winter months, you need to minimize the degree of discharge in order to keep it in good working order.

Batteries naturally self-discharge while not in use. The rate at which this happens depends on battery type and ambient temperature – cold will slow the process down and heat will speed it up.

When storing your battery over the winter months, you need to minimize the degree of discharge in order to keep it in good working order. That’s because when batteries sit in a partially discharged state, the lead sulfate on the battery plates start to crystallize and harden. (This process is known as “plate sulfation”.) Once fully crystallized, that portion of the plate is no longer capable of generating power. Should too much plate area become crystallized, the battery may no longer be able to generate enough power for your RV needs come Spring.

HERE ARE A FEW SIMPLE STORAGE PROCEDURES YOU CAN FOLLOW THAT WILL EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY:

1

Remove any corrosion using a mixture of baking soda and water, and then clean and dry the top of the battery. This will eliminate potential discharge paths.

2

Terminals can be cleaned with a wire brush to remove remaining traces of corrosion.

3

If the battery is being stored in a vehicle, disconnect it to avoid self-discharge due to parasitic loads such as clocks, ground faults, etc.

4

Fully charge your battery before putting it into storage.

5

If the battery has removable vent caps, check the electrolyte (battery fluid) level in each cell. If required, add distilled* water to bring the fluid level to just below the filler tube. CHARGE THE BATTERY PRIOR TO TOPPING UP THE ELECTROLYTE, otherwise electrolyte expansion during the charging process could cause the fluid to overflow. *Using regular tap water may introduce contaminants that could cause internal corrosion and premature battery failure.

6

Always keep your battery above 75% state-of-charge. Check state-of-charge every 90 days and recharge if necessary.

8

Never leave a battery on trickle charge longer than 48 hours, or serious damage to the battery will occur.

7

Store your battery in a cool, dry place with temperatures no lower than 32°F (0°C) and no higher than 80°F (27°C). Do not allow your battery to freeze and NEVER attempt to charge a frozen battery – the battery could explode!

8

Never leave a battery on trickle charge longer than 48 hours, or serious damage to the battery will occur.

9

How long a battery will last is dependent on several factors, including manufacturer, power capacity, usage level, operating conditions, etc. But taking the time to properly prepare your battery for storage and remembering to maintain its state of charge during the winter months will help ensure you obtain maximum possible service life from your battery.