Battery disconnect, and when to recharge

A common problem for many new RV owners is often they don't know they should disconnect the battery between trips.  Or how often to charge the battery.

Several things inside the modern RV use electricity even when they are "off".  The fridge electronics are still active, the propane detector is always on.  A week or two with the battery connected and it will be dead.  Some people install a disconnect switch on the battery box, others use plugs or fuses, so that it can be easily disconnected (and later reconnected) between trips.  Hopefully some of those podmods can be reposted here.

By themselves lead acid batteries discharge internally - fairly quickly when its hot out, and less so when its cold.  During the summer months, even if the battery has been left disconnected it will require a full night's recharge at least once per month.  During the winter it can be left in a cold garage or cool basement (or even left on the 'pods tongue) without a recharge - but if you can get to it once or twice its not a bad idea.  If you don't have a good 3-stage charger in your garage just plug the 'pod in overnight, it has a good built-in 3-stage charger.  Just don't forget to reconnect the battery first!