Winterizing the caravan battery.

[Gilles]

Near the outdoor storage of my trailer, I can connect to an AC 110V outlet. Is it okay to let it connect all winter on the transformer of the trailer?

Merci,

[The Minimalist]

I looked on the Bigfoot site and thought it says your trailer has a 45 amp converter with charger, it doesn't specify the type and whether or not it is a 'smart' charger.

I'd say that, if it is a smart charger and won't boil your battery, you could get away with it. Smart charger or not, it would be wise to check your battery water level once a month or so just to make sure.

A fully charged battery shouldn't freeze, unless it gets down to -92 F in Quebec. At that point you probably won't care. {{8-{D}}}

[Bob Miller]

If it is the original Converter/charger it pretty much pre-dates smart chargers. Look on the front panel and tell us a make and model.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

If it is the original Converter/charger it pretty much pre-dates smart chargers. Look on the front panel and tell us a make and model.

It's a Allardson, Model D20-BRA-A

with 5 fuses, 20 amps each, only 4 are used.

Merci,

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by The Minimalist

I looked on the Bigfoot site and thought it says your trailer has a 45 amp converter with charger, it doesn't specify the type and whether or not it is a 'smart' charger.

I'd say that, if it is a smart charger and won't boil your battery, you could get away with it. Smart charger or not, it would be wise to check your battery water level once a month or so just to make sure.

A fully charged battery shouldn't freeze, unless it gets down to -92 F in Quebec. At that point you probably won't care. {{8-{D}}}

The battery is sealed can not check the water level.

I do not believe that the temperatures fall below -92°F this year, we are told that temperatures are rising these years,

[Bob Miller]

That converter apparently does not have a smart charger incorporated and, of the mentions I found on-line, there seem to be a few comments about it over charging. With that information I would not leave it plugged in 24/7, but I would remove the battery from the caravan and keep it in a warm place, ad on a battery tender, if desired.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

That converter apparently does not have a smart charger incorporated and, of the mentions I found on-line, there seem to be a few comments about it over charging. With that information I would not leave it plugged in 24/7, but I would remove the battery from the caravan and keep it in a warm place, ad on a battery tender, if desired.

Thank you Bob, that's what I'll do ...

[Roger C H]

I just plug in the trailer for one day once a month.


Of course it doesn't get as cold here...

[Jim Bennett]

If you wish to leave the battery in the trailer, and your charger does not do a proper float charge, you could just monitor it every month or two, and check the voltage. If it is low, just plug it in for a day.

[Wayne Collins]

Originally Posted by Gilles

Near the outdoor storage of my trailer, I can connect to an AC 110V outlet. Is it okay to let it connect all winter on the transformer of the trailer?

Merci,

Just make sure the electrolyte (acid) is covering the plates.
Give it a full charge. (13 + volts), Clean off any dirt on top of battery.
Disconnect the Negative cable, and leave it on the trailer.

[Bullington]

You could plug it into a coffee maker timer and let it run for an hour or so a day. Check the resting voltage and adjust it as needed.