muttmaster said:
Searched topic but can't find much info. I need some advise on long term storage of my camper. Mostly, I have questions about my camper battery and the truck's dual battery maintenance . . .
Mickey Bitsko said:
I'm a little curious about leaving in the down position over winter in Sub-Zero temps,is it damaging to the vinyl?
ckent323 said:
Hopefully you have already thought of and are taking measures to deal with condensation during storage.
I have a 1979 Grandby that I would guess has spent most of its life outside with the top down. I know the PO kept it outside and I had it outside the first three years I owned it (it went in a heated garage last winter for repairs). I live in Minnesota so lots of cold, clouds and snow. Sun and wind has the panels clear of ice and snow in a couple of days.
The camper batteries (2 X GC2) were kept at 100% with just solar (2 X 100W) when outside, I pulled them and put them on a battery maintainer last year. Batteries are still at 1.27+ S.G. The only parasitic loads I have are the Trimetric and the charge controller; everything else is shut off or fuses pulled. A LA battery should self discharge < 6% per month, so your panels should be able to easily keep them at 100% unless you have very large parasitic loads. I do lose ~ 100 ml of water from the cells over 5 months.
As I mentioned above, my camper has been stored outside most of its life. I have some staining on the vinyl due to mold(?) but I think that was from storing it wet. The 38 year old vinyl is still water and wind tight. I do use 303 on it before storage but I don't know what was done before i got it.
I don't have any issues with condensation during storage but the air is quite dry here in the winter.
The PO had to tear out all the insulation in the walls due to rodent infestation, so that is something I am concerned about. I remove the mattress, clothing and any other attractants and place a bunch of dryer sheets in all cabinets and cubbyholes. So far no problems and I live in an area that has lots of vols and field mice.
Most of the guys I know around here just leave the batteries in a parked vehicle all winter. Some of them disconnect the battery, the more conscientious pull the battery(s) and put them on a maintainer. If you have shore power available I would put the truck batteries on a maintainer. Otherwise, give them a good equalizing charge before storage, disconnect the battery and give another equalizing charge in the spring.
jim