At Campers Inn, we’re always looking for a reason to celebrate. And luckily for us, February 18th is a day to celebrate something that’s near and dear to us—batteries!
If you already own an RV, you know how important battery maintenance is. But if you’re just getting into the RV lifestyle or still looking for your dream RV, we’ll explain it for you anyway. All batteries include some form of liquid inside them, which can become an issue when winter approaches and RVs aren’t getting used as often. There’s a danger that batteries will freeze and become unusable, meaning that RV owners would have to purchase an entirely new battery every season. That can get pretty expensive!
So, wintertime battery storage and year-round battery maintenance are important points on every RVer’s to-do list. But at this time of year, when RVs are just beginning to make their way back onto the roads, it’s extra important to show your RV battery some love and make sure it’s ready for your next adventure. To de-winterize your RV battery, we’ve prepared a simple checklist:
Before starting, ensure that you're in a well-ventilated area and wearing appropriate safety gear, such as gloves and safety goggles. Inspect the battery for any visible damage, corrosion, or leaks. If you notice any issues, address them before proceeding. If the battery's charge level has dropped significantly during winter storage, connect the battery to a charger. Follow the charging instructions and ensure that you're using the appropriate charging settings. For flooded lead-acid batteries, check the electrolyte levels in each cell. If the levels are low, add distilled water to bring them to the recommended level. Be sure to avoid overfilling. Over time, corrosion can build up on battery terminals and cables. Clean these areas using a mixture of baking soda and water or a commercial battery terminal cleaner. Scrub gently with a wire brush or battery terminal cleaner tool. Check the battery cables for any signs of damage, fraying, or corrosion. Replace damaged cables as needed. After charging and reconnecting, test the voltage using a voltmeter. To ensure the battery's performance, consider conducting a load test. This test assesses how well the battery can deliver power under a load. If the battery fails the load test, it might be time for a replacement.
If you’re a bit late to the party and you’re reading our blog as the winter approaches, don’t worry! We’ll include some links to previous articles about winterizing your RV battery, like How to Prepare Your RV Battery for Winter Care and a super helpful article from our Ask A Tech series.
Maybe you’re new to the RV lifestyle, and the idea of having to wear safety gear just to be around a battery scares you a little bit. Maybe you’re just tired of going through the motions every spring. Or maybe you’re just looking for a good deal! No matter what motivation you might have, we’d honestly recommend skipping all the de-winterization steps and just taking your RV to one of our Service Center locations so we can do it for you!
Battery health checks are just one of the services we offer in our Free 12-Point RV Inspections, which are available everywhere our dealerships are. We also offer eleven other services, from tires to roofs and electrical systems to appliances. Here’s a full list of the critical aspects our 12-point inspection covers, just in case you weren’t convinced yet to drop by and schedule one:
- Brakes: We’ll ensure that your braking system is safe and effective
- Tires: We check for wear and proper inflation
- Battery: We test battery health and charge
- Fluids: We can inspect all fluid levels and conditions
- Lights: We’ll verify all lights and indicators are functioning
- HVAC System: We ensure that your heating and cooling systems are working efficiently
- Roof and Seals: We can check for leaks and damage
- Suspension: We inspect for wear and tear
- Electrical Systems: We’ll ensure that all your electrical components are functioning on 110v, 12v, solar, and generator
- Appliances: We check the operation of onboard appliances
- Water Systems: We inspect your plumbing and water heaters
- Slide Outs: We’ll ensure that all slide-outs are functional
So for National Battery Day, show your RV some love. Or even better, let us show it some love for you! Schedule a Free 12-Point RV Inspection with us before getting that battery out on the road.
Disclaimer:
The advice and suggestions provided here are for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional diagnosis or repairs performed by certified technicians. We are not liable for any damage or issues that may arise from attempting to apply the information provided here. For the safety and proper care of your camper, we strongly recommend visiting any of our dealerships to have a certified RV technician diagnose and address your camper's specific needs. Remember to always refer to your RV's manual for additional resources.
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