Should I disconnect my travel trailer battery when not in use?

Disconnecting your travel trailer battery when not in use is generally recommended for lead-acid batteries to prevent parasitic drain and sulfation caused by self-discharge. For lithium batteries, disconnection is less critical due to lower self-discharge rates (1-3% monthly). Always store batteries at 50-80% charge in a dry, temperature-controlled environment (ideally 10°C–25°C). Use a maintenance charger if storing >30 days.

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When should I disconnect my trailer battery?

Disconnect if storage exceeds 2 weeks for lead-acid batteries. These lose 5-15% charge monthly through parasitic loads like LP/CO detectors. Lithium variants tolerate 3-6 months without disconnection. Pro Tip: Label terminals before disconnecting to prevent polarity reversal during reinstallation.

For flooded lead-acid batteries, sulfation begins when voltage drops below 12.4V (≈75% charge). Disconnecting eliminates parasitic drains like emergency breakaway switches (typically 25-50mA). However, modern trailers with solar panels or battery monitors may require continuous power—consult your system manual. For example, a 100Ah AGM battery left connected to a 30mA load discharges completely in ~138 days. Always prioritize maintaining 12.4V+ during storage.

How does battery chemistry affect storage needs?

Lithium-ion batteries require minimal maintenance due to 0.5-1% monthly self-discharge versus 5-8% for AGM. Lithium can sit 6-12 months disconnected without damage if pre-charged to 50-60%. Lead-acid types need monthly voltage checks and recharge at 12.2V.

Lithium batteries don’t sulfate, making them more storage-resilient. Their BMS typically draws <5mA when idle—a 100Ah lithium pack would take 2+ years to self-discharge. Conversely, an AGM battery’s 8% monthly loss requires quarterly recharging. What’s the cost of neglect? A $200 lead-acid battery left discharged for winter often becomes unusable by spring. Always match storage protocols to chemistry—lithium’s upfront cost offsets long-term maintenance savings.

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