Is it Ok to leave Batteries in the RV for the winter?

[MHold]

2020 Jayco Pinnacle FQ2413
Four, 6-volt lead acid batteries.
Flow-Rite battery water system.
Solar panels on roof (will be covered by the trailer winter cover)
Location: Boise, Idaho
Storage location: Outside, next to my garage.
December and January: Average low 24 F. Average high 40 F.
Occasionally the low temperatures will drop below 10 F, rarely as low as 0 F.

I want to know if it is acceptable to leave the batteries installed in the RV over the winter.
I plan to leave the RV connected to 50-amp power.
I plan to run a 75-watt incandescent light bulb in the battery bay 24/7.
I will check and fill the water levels in the batteries through the Flow-Rite battery water system monthly.

Will the RV battery charger keep the batteries charged or should I connect an external battery tender?
Any advice with this set up?
I have read the many blogs that recommend removing the batteries and storing them inside, which I can do, but I prefer to not have to disconnect the Flow-Rite water system or wired battery connections if I don't have to.

Thanks in advance!
First winter with a fifth wheel owner.

[Grumpy]

Simple answer.....yes. The converter will keep them charged and it has the smart charger built in. With the watering system and the light bulb you should have no trouble at all. When we were in Ohio, granted it never got quite as cold as Idaho, I left batteries in all my rigs and had them plugged in over the winter. And...

[Jagiven]

A fully charge battery will be fine all winter. If it was me, I would drain the watering system. Physically disconnect the main battery terminal to the camper, and let it rest all winter.

[Stan&Sharon]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

A fully charge battery will be fine all winter. If it was me, I would drain the watering system. Physically disconnect the main battery terminal to the camper, and let it rest all winter.

X2

I notice this is your first forum posting. Welcome from New Hampshire. The FQ2413 is a Forest River Stealth Toy Hauler. Cool. Nice floorplan too.

[Glamper64]

@3&4 so you're saying disconnect and leave the battery all winter without a charging/tending source? Pretty sure I read it's not good to leave your battery die over the winter months. I would at least charge it fully once a month.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

A fully charge battery will be fine all winter. If it was me, I would drain the watering system. Physically disconnect the main battery terminal to the camper, and let it rest all winter.

If it partially discharges it can freeze. Keeping it fully charged prevents that.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Glamper64

@3&4 so you're saying disconnect and leave the battery all winter without a charging/tending source? Pretty sure I read it's not good to leave your battery die over the winter months. I would at least charge it fully once a month.

With the battery disconnected there is nothing to discharge the battery. I pull my battery every fall. Sits on the floor of my shop all winter. Maybe in the spring it's down 0.1V. I tend to get about 9 years life on a battery.

Old school batteries did have an issue discharging over time, but that was due to the battery box material. Modern plastics are so much better.

[MHold]

Originally Posted by Stan&Sharon

X2

I notice this is your first forum posting. Welcome from New Hampshire. The FQ2413 is a Forest River Stealth Toy Hauler. Cool. Nice floorplan too.

Wow, great catch Stan&Sharon! That was my previous trailer. The Jayco Pinnacle is the 32RLTS.

[Glamper64]

@#7 curious how long you leave your battery sitting...myself it's from mid October to mid May so like 7 months on a wooden shelf in the plastic box in a very cold garage. I've always put it on a Tender with no issues. I do remember reading not to leave it on a concrete floor.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Glamper64

@#7 curious how long you leave your battery sitting...myself it's from mid October to mid May so like 7 months on a wooden shelf in the plastic box in a very cold garage. I've always put it on a Tender with no issues. I do remember reading not to leave it on a concrete floor.

I'm here in tropical Minnesota. RV and the boat battery sit on the floor on a 2x4 for about 6 months. I have two antique model T. They each have two batteries (6v for the little bit of oem stuff, and 12v for brake lights and turn signals. I leave them in the cars disconnected. One has an almost 13 year old 6v battery, and I just replaced the 10 yr old 12v gel battery, in both.

[MHold]

Thanks everyone for the information. I have decided to play it safe and remove the batteries and store them in my garage for the winter. More work but hopefully less money in the long run!

[craigav]

Originally Posted by MHold

Thanks everyone for the information. I have decided to play it safe and remove the batteries and store them in my garage for the winter. More work but hopefully less money in the long run!

Take plenty of pictures before you start to remove the cables (and label them if they all look the same). You will likely be very happy you did when you go to reinstall the batteries. ~CA

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by craigav

Take plenty of pictures before you start to remove the cables (and label them if they all look the same). You will likely be very happy you did when you go to reinstall the batteries. ~CA

X2

[Esharon]

I always zip tie the +'s together and the -'s together. Great advice with the pic

[JFlightRisk]

Jagiven's post above is right. Back when old time batteries were made from a rubber-type case, they would discharge when sitting on concrete. That's no longer a problem. However, any dirty wet film on the top of a battery will actually show a current if you touch a volt/ohm meter from one side to the other. Clean batteries are happy batteries....

[Edutron]

Get the light bulb out immediately. Hydrogen gasses and hot light bulbs never mix even if its a sealed battery. If you are worried about heat, there are 12v heated battery wraps (blankets).
Depends on your geographical loaction. Some areas get to negative temps and stay there where as other areas just below freezing occasionally. If you want to increase the life its best to bring them in. I keep mine in a garage thats unheated but stay above freezing. Yes, your RV will trickle charge or float the batteries in necessary so no need for a float charger.

[2Genecinn]

We live Mountain Home, Idaho and I leave my battery in our Alante with a Battery Buddy connected to it. I have done it this way for quite a few years. I also have a coleman solar charger on the main battery. I forgot to mention it is 2016 jayco alante

[Captain Skip]

I've been leaving mine in for 10 years and I'm leaving them in my new motorhome. I do keep it plugged in to shore power while it's parked and I keep an eye on water levels.

[MHold]

Originally Posted by craigav

Take plenty of pictures before you start to remove the cables (and label them if they all look the same). You will likely be very happy you did when you go to reinstall the batteries. ~CA

Will do, pictures and labels for sure!