Your RV's battery has a lot of jobs. It starts the ignition, which turns on the engine, and it also powers the lights, refrigerator, and other elements inside the living quarters of your RV. If the RV battery dies, your RV won't be very functional. So, it's important to take good care of your RV battery by following these basic tips.
1. Don't let the batteries fall below 50%.
Depleting a battery past 50% of its capacity will make it less able to hold a charge going forward. You may not notice a difference the first time or two that you substantially drain the battery, but over time, it will make a difference. Keep a second battery on hand so you can switch power sources when the battery approaches 50% charge. Or, use a generator with your RV rather than allowing the systems to fully run on batteries.
2. Clean the connections.
Every couple of months, disconnect the cables from your RV batteries. Be careful when doing this so you do not shock yourself. (Remove the negative cable, then the positive cable—not the other way around.) Clean the battery connections, using a plain cloth or one that has been slightly dampened with water. Let the connections dry for a few minutes. Then, reconnect the wires—positive before negative. Cleaning the connections ensures you get the most power from your batteries, and it also reduces your risk of a fire.
3. Store your RV with the battery on a charger.
If you just park your RV in a storage unit with the battery fully in place and connected, you'll come back to a drained battery in a few months. And that drained battery may never fully hold a good charge again! Whenever you store your RV, remove the battery. You can store it disconnected, which is a good option. An even better option is to store it on a charger, which will keep it from losing any charge. Check on the battery and wipe off its connections every few months during storage.
If you have any trouble with your RV battery despite following the tips above, reach out to an RV service company. These batteries do not last forever, so there's a good chance you just need a new one. They can also give you some more specific tips for battery care, based on the exact make and model of battery you have.
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