RV storage - Metered electric service or solar panel for trickle charging?

[bertschb]

We're going to park our RV in a storage yard that has metered electric service available. The minimum base rate is $26/month. I've always used a Battery Tender solar panel as a trickle charger to keep the batteries charged while in storage and was planning to do the same with this new storage yard until I heard about the availability of the electric service. We store the RV from April until November so I wouldn't need it to run a heater and there is very low humidity where I live so no need for a dehumidifier. I can't think of a reason I would need electric service while storing our RV other than to keep the batteries charged. Is it better to use the built in converter to charge the batteries or is it better to just plug the solar panel directly into the batteries? I'm not cheap. I just don't want to pay $30/month for power if I don't need it (solar is free).

What would you guys do?

[Paul & Deb]

I'd use the solar charger cause I'm cheap. Heck, I'd take the battery home and leave it on a trickle charger before I paid the extra $30/mth. I'm surprised your trailer sits for 6 months! I thought you guys were out in it all the time.

[bertschb]

I'm surprised your trailer sits for 6 months! I thought you guys were out in it all the time.

It sits for 7 months! We're in the RV from November until April each year. I love skiing and we have a ski resort (Mt Bachelor) 20 minutes from our house. But, we prefer shorts and flip flops so we winter in Palm Springs. Summers where we live are awesome but short so we like to stay home to take advantage of them.

[Country Campers]

I'm with poppy on this, remove the battery and take it home. I would be worried to leave it there plugged in or even on solar with presumably somebody watching it but no being able to check on it by myself would drive me nutsier than I already am.

.02 cents please(this money collected is for my retirement fund so pay up)

Brian

[Aridon]

I'd use the solar charger cause I'm cheap. Heck, I'd take the battery home and leave it on a trickle charger before I paid the extra $30/mth. I'm surprised your trailer sits for 6 months! I thought you guys were out in it all the time.

This is what I'd do.

[sande005]

I'd just disconnect the battery, leave it, and go home. In cool/cold/very cold weather, the self discharge for a battery is really long. Just make sure it is fully charged going into storage, and don't worry about it!

[Bob/OlallaWA]

I'd just disconnect the battery, leave it, and go home. In cool/cold/very cold weather, the self discharge for a battery is really long. Just make sure it is fully charged going into storage, and don't worry about it!

Those won't be the temps where he will be storing it in the summer.
Pull it out and store at home. If you use the trailer during the summer, reinstall and enjoy the camping trip.

[sande005]

Those won't be the temps where he will be storing it in the summer.
Pull it out and store at home. If you use the trailer during the summer, reinstall and enjoy the camping trip.

Even over a hot summer, they should be fine for 4-6 months. See the chart I posted here: https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...408#post193408

[Cate&Rob]

Even over a hot summer, they should be fine for 4-6 months. See the chart I posted here: https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...408#post193408

I'm with sande005 on this . . .

For decades, I leave my boat batteries fully charged and completely disconnected for 5 months of Canadian winter "hibernation". Never a problem. More recently, I leave my golf cart batteries (deep cycle 8V) completely disconnected for 7 months through the Florida summer. These are fine too. (Most snowbirds in our Florida park do exactly the same thing).

A completely disconnected lead/acid battery does not need to be "trickle charged" . . .

Rob

[bertschb]

The votes are in - no need to activate the electric service at the post. Thanks for your help guys!