Get Ready To Hit The Road: Three Things You Need To Know About Caring For Your RV Battery

When you're ready to hit the road for a memorable road trip with your friends and family, it is essential to make sure all of your RV equipment is ready for your vacation. It is especially important to properly maintain your RV battery. Follow these guidelines to ensure you are providing the correct care for your battery. Doing so enhances the life span of the battery so you have a durable unit ready for the road.

1. It is Important to Make Sure You Do Not Undercharge the Battery

Undercharging your RV battery is akin to the kiss of death in the battery world. When you undercharge the battery, the sulfate material attached to the discharge plates of the battery hardens. These hardened crystals cannot be converted back into active charging material. Once this happens, your battery is no longer viable. This process is referred to as sulfation. Batteries are at risk of sulfation when the charge falls below 80 percent. Try to keep the charge above 75 percent to prevent sulfation from occurring. 

2. Overcharging the Battery is Just as Harmful as Undercharging It

Many RV owners are surprised to hear that overcharging the battery is as bad for the battery as undercharging it. Batteries that are overcharged tend to lose water. This water loss leads to corrosion within the battery. Once the battery becomes corroded, it cannot no longer perform properly.

To prevent overcharging, don't leave your battery charging all of the time. Instead, unplug it once it reaches full charge. Check the charge every month or so and recharge it to the appropriate level.

3. The Storage Conditions Matter

When it is time to retire your battery for a period, pay attention to the storage conditions.You don't want the temperature to be too hot or too cold. If the temperature is too hot, this causes the water in the battery to evaporate, a process that contributes to corrosion. 

It is also important to avoid conditions that are too cold. Not only does freezing damage the cells in the battery, it can cause a dangerous situation. Batteries that are frozen may explode if you try to charge them.

Try to store your battery in a spot where the temperature is between 32 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Check that the area is dry, as wet storage conditions increase the chances of corrosion.

As an RV owner, you know that maintenance expenses quickly add up. Maximize the life of your battery so that you do not have to spend additional money prematurely replacing it. Paying attention to the battery's charge and how you store it makes a notable difference in its performance and ultimate life span.

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