Recreational Vehicles (RV) are vehicles that can be used as motor-homes. Some use an RV for leisure, and others use it as their permanent mobile residence. For those who use their RVs only occasionally, taking care of the vehicle’s battery is important, especially when storing it for a long time. An RV’s battery self-discharges even when not in use. The speed of discharge depends on two factors: the battery type and storage location’s temperature. Lower temperature slows the discharge process down, and higher temperature quickens it up.
Keeping an RV’s battery charged while in storage is one way of prolonging the battery life. One practical way to keep it powered up is by using solar panels. Solar panels automatically charge any connected utility.
Using Solar Panels For RV Batteries
In order to determine the right wattage for the solar panels, it is important to know how much power is drained from the battery. One can discover this by knowing the battery’s storage ability, which is commonly within 75 amps. We can divide 75 amps by the number of days it takes for the power to be entirely discharged. This leads us to the estimated drain per day. For example, if it takes 3 weeks for a 75-amp RV battery to be fully discharged, the drain would be 3 amps per day.
The goal is to find a solar panel that will produce 3 amps per day to replenish the drain. This process is called “trickle charging”, a method of keeping the batteries charged up no matter how long they are idle. However, users must consider the weather and the blocking of the sunlight in order to calculate the solar panel’s efficiency. By adding more panels one can charge existing batteries at a quicker pace.
Battery Maintenance Tips
- When putting the RV in storage, make sure that the batteries are fully charged. It is important to take note of the temperature when doing so.
- Appliances and utilities in the vehicle can suck power from the battery even when turned off. In order to avoid this, owners should remove all electrical connectors when storing the RV.
- Users should check the water levels in their batteries on a monthly or bi-weekly basis, especially if the vehicle is stored in a warmer location. It is best to keep the vehicle in a cool, dry storage area with temperature not lower than 32°F and not higher than 80°F.
- It is essential to keep the batteries clean. Wire brushes are helpful in removing dirt and corrosion on an RV battery.
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