Winterization - Battery Care
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14236
Printed Date: 21 Jun 2025 at 2:06pm
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Topic: Winterization - Battery Care
Posted By: Andyrpod190
Subject: Winterization - Battery Care
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2020 at 5:35pm
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I have a 2021 Rpod 190 just got this summer. I got it winterized at the dealer. Unfortunately you need to take the big queen out and remove the plywood for access and winterizing. Then you need to in the spring - prep it and un-winterize ot for use and tear it apart again. I've resigned myself to that maintenance. Since I have a Solar setup and also have 2 batteries I was wondering for the winter if I should take the 2 batteries out of the Rpod and put it in my heated basement. I would prefer to do that than leave my Rpod plugged in to my 30AMP service outside. Does this make sense? If I do that do I need to keep a trickle charge on both batteries? If so what would you recommend for a product that I could use on both batteries inside the house? Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving! ------------- AC |
Replies:
Posted By: tcj
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2020 at 6:32pm
Cut the plywood and drill finger holes. Use 1X2 cut to length and screw to support where plywood is cut. Screw the long pieces down. Don't screw the short pieces down. It takes 15 seconds to get to the bypass valves on the water heater. Pictures worth a thousand words.    ------------- 2018 R-pod 180 Hood River Edition |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2020 at 7:56pm
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If you have an adequate amount of sunshine, I do not see a problem letting the solar keep the batteries charged. I keep mine plugged in. The key is to maintain the batteries. Keep an eye on the electrolyte level and add distilled water as needed. I changed to an LiFePO4 battery so that is not a concern. It still needs to be kept on a charger unless I use the disconnect I installed to disconnect all power drains. Then I could conceivably leave it for up to a year. That is something that can't be done with lead-acid batteries though. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2020 at 9:29pm
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I have a pair of 9.5 year old Interstate 12v batteries, group size 24 deep cycles. Maintenance for these are as follows: 1) end of October - remove from 177, washed with baking soda and rinsed off. 2) check electrolyte levels and fill as needed with distilled water. 3) bring into our unheated garage (northern Michigan) and set on concrete floor. 4) 1st week in November - 2 amp trickle charge on each battery for 24 - 36 hours. 5) let batteries 'hibernate' throughout the long Michigan winter. 6) end of April or 1st week in May repeat steps 2 and 4 above. 7) return to service. I do keep an eye on them monthly throughout winter, but with cold temps the rate of discharge is extremely low, never have had to give additional trickle charge beyond the one in November and April. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2020 at 6:41am
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You can leave the batteries on solar if your solar module is mounted where it won't get stolen and not in the shade. Otherwise you can remove them. If you fully charge them before storage they won't freeze, and Jato is right, better to leave them in a colder storage location, they will suffer less self discharge and less internal corrosion and will last longer. Check voltage and electrolyte levels and put them on charge monthly until you understand how well they maintain their charge, battery chemistry varies and so does the required charge maintenance interval. Any 12V battery charger with say 6A or more charge capacity and a float mode will do the job, either both at once or one at a time. I don't remove the mattress when I winterize my 179, just prop it up and work underneath it, its a bit awkward but it doesn't take long. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |