You are correct for Lithium batteries which typically only lose 1% of their charge per month, but Flooded Lead Acid batteries can easily lose 10% to 20% of their charge per month. So FLA batteries can go below 50% SoC over the winter. A battery tender is still the best way to keep your batteries healthy over winter.
Thanks for you guidance. A similar topic: disconnected and storing two lithium batteries for an AirStream indoors for the boston winter. A specific trickle charger you recommend? And should the two batteries be connected by a bridge so it is one ‘loop’v
Lithium batteries don’t need any kind of maintenance charger since they typically lose only 1% state of charge per month. Most battery manufacturers recommend you charge them to 100% and disconnect them for up to a year or more. They won’t be damaged by cold, so no need to bring them in unless you’re worried that someone may steal them.
while there is nothing wrong with your recommendations i thins they are a bit of an overkill. why not just fully charge the batteries and then disconnect them. they should stay charged over the winter months. no need to check water levels, no need for a battery minder. then hook up the existing extension cords in the spring for a recharge.
is there a reason to go through al the effort to hook up a battery minder as opposed to fully disconnecting the batteries?
You are correct for Lithium batteries which typically only lose 1% of their charge per month, but Flooded Lead Acid batteries can easily lose 10% to 20% of their charge per month. So FLA batteries can go below 50% SoC over the winter. A battery tender is still the best way to keep your batteries healthy over winter.
For airstream specifically or in general? If Airstream, I know Dan Snyder pretty well (we drove in a 700 HP Aston Martin together at Lime Rock)
They agree with you. I’ve been disappointed with the information provided by the service manager before. This is just another example
I’ve begged the RV dealerships to let me develop a training program for their technicians, but so far no traction.
Battle Born
There is a charger they recommend
Thanks for you guidance. A similar topic: disconnected and storing two lithium batteries for an AirStream indoors for the boston winter. A specific trickle charger you recommend? And should the two batteries be connected by a bridge so it is one ‘loop’v
Lithium batteries don’t need any kind of maintenance charger since they typically lose only 1% state of charge per month. Most battery manufacturers recommend you charge them to 100% and disconnect them for up to a year or more. They won’t be damaged by cold, so no need to bring them in unless you’re worried that someone may steal them.
Interesting. The service department at the AirStream dealership did recommend trickle charge. Thank you.
Best to ask your battery manufacturer. What brand lithium battery do you have?
while there is nothing wrong with your recommendations i thins they are a bit of an overkill. why not just fully charge the batteries and then disconnect them. they should stay charged over the winter months. no need to check water levels, no need for a battery minder. then hook up the existing extension cords in the spring for a recharge.
is there a reason to go through al the effort to hook up a battery minder as opposed to fully disconnecting the batteries?