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There’s nothing more frustrating than prepping your Recreational Vehicle (RV) for a summer excursion only to discover that your battery has failed. There are a variety of reasons why this could have happened – from improper storage or recharging to a build-up of corrosion on the battery terminals due to a lack of regular maintenance and upkeep.
Considered the main source of power, the battery is responsible for not only starting the engine on your RV but also the catalyst behind keeping all your onboard accessories in operation. It’s important to recognize some of the most common reasons for your RV battery problems to help prevent premature power failure and putting a glitch in your plans. As always, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for battery care and handling and direct any questions to your battery professional.
Improper Storage
If you plan to stow your RV during the winter months, it’s important to properly decommission your battery for storage to help prevent damage and keep it in good condition while sitting idle. This includes inspecting the battery for corrosion, worn cables and/or connectors, cleaning away any dirt or corrosion from the terminals, testing the battery’s State of Charge (SOC) and ensuring a full charge to help safeguard the performance and longevity of the battery.
One method of maintaining a consistent charge while the battery remains installed in storage is to use a maintenance charger. It can also be called a trickle charger, and it remains connected to the battery during storage to maintain a full SOC and compensate for small parasitic loads. Batteries should be fully charged before being connected to a trickle charger. An alternative to using a trickle charger is to disconnect the negative battery cable or the terminals, or use a battery disconnect switch, to cut off parasitic loads.
Overheating
Depending on your geographical location in the world, the summer can bring temperatures of 100°F (37.8°C) or even higher. Hot weather can also drive up the temperature under the hood so much so that it can lead to engine overheating and even accelerate the onset of battery failure. RVs that are in constant use with limited opportunity to cool down are especially susceptible to the effects of heat. Excessive heat can shorten battery life due to loss of water; so, if you’re using a flooded lead acid battery, make sure it is refilled as directed and that the battery itself is properly ventilated.
Keeping a fully charged RV battery on a continuous charging cycle can also overheat the battery and minimize its standard lifespan.
Irregular Maintenance (or none)
Like the battery maintenance steps you would take when you decommission or recommission your RV, it’s also beneficial to the battery’s health to conduct seasonal maintenance checks (at least once a year) so that the battery is better prepared to attend to the tasks at hand – keeping the RV moving and accessories running.
Overcharging or Undercharging the Battery
Not following the battery manufacturer’s guidelines for recharging the battery can significantly impact its longevity and performance. Overcharging the battery can cause it to overheat and undercharging or insufficient charging could lead to shorter run times and a loss in productivity.
Be Aware of the Vehicle Warning Signs
In addition to the challenges noted above, the RV’s general performance can also provide evidence of the battery’s condition. Warning signs include hesitation or a clicking sound when turning the ignition; dim or flickering lights; dashboard indicators, including the “Check Engine” indicator light, diminished performance of power windows and door locks or other electrical devices in the RV’s interior; and slow or halting acceleration.
An Innovative Battery Solution
Whether camping close to home or boondocking in a remote location this summer, maintenance-free Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) ODYSSEY® batteries deliver long-lasting performance, with twice the overall power and three times the life of conventional flooded lead acid batteries, to get you from “Point A” to “Point B” and back again. They are manufactured with proprietary Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology, allowing the pure lead plates to be made thinner so more fit inside the battery case. This provides more surface area for massive power in a given group size and ample cranking even at a low Depth of Discharge (DOD).
ODYSSEY® batteries are extremely temperature tolerant, with an operating range from
-40°F (-40°C) to 140°F (60°C). The battery also offers greater cycle life for frequent deep discharges that can occur when powering on-board accessories, such as kitchen appliances, an entertainment center or even GPS. With the highest recharge efficiency of any sealed lead battery on the market, ODYSSEY® batteries are capable of 100 percent recharge in 4-6 hours.
If you plan on decommissioning your RV in the winter months, ODYSSEY® batteries provide an excellent storage life and can be disconnected and stored for up to two years without recharging to help ease start-up concerns between outings.
Check out our websites at www.odysseybattery.com and www.eu.odysseybattery.com for the latest ODYSSEY® battery global news and updates.
You can also connect with us on social media using the hashtag #MYODYSSEY by following us on the below platforms based on region:
United States — Instagram, X and Facebook
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ABOUT ENERSYS
EnerSys, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, designs, manufactures and distributes energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. The company goes to market through four lines of business: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty and New Ventures. Energy Systems, which combine power conversion, power distribution, energy storage, and enclosures, are used in the telecommunication, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies, and numerous applications requiring stored energy solutions. Motive power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, large over-the-road trucks, premium automotive, medical and security systems applications. New Ventures provides energy storage and management systems for various applications including demand charge reduction, utility back-up power, and dynamic fast charging for electric vehicles. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world. More information regarding EnerSys can be found at www.enersys.com.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability at EnerSys is about more than just the benefits and impacts of our products. Our commitment to sustainability encompasses many important environmental, social and governance issues. Sustainability is a fundamental part of how we manage our own operations. Minimizing our environmental footprint is a priority. Sustainability is our commitment to our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. Our products facilitate positive environmental, social and economic impacts around the world. To learn more visit: https://www.enersys.com/en/about-us/sustainability/.