Motorhome storage

Warrior
Warrior Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited November 2018 in Storage #1

Hi I am looking for advice. My wife and I took the plunge last year of exchanging our caravan for a tribute 669 campervan. After a great year touring Europe we have decide to travel to Canada in 2019 to visit my wife's brother for 6 months. My dilemma is what I do with the van, am wondering do I disconnect both batteries or leave them in situ and any other useful info concerning leaving our van for such a long period. Just for info it will be stored on certified cosa  site. Thank you in advance for any info.

Comments

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2018 #2

    Six months is a long time to leave batteries. Rig up a couple of small solar panels to trickle charge them. Might be worth a few extra psi in the tyres as well to prevent distortion.

  • Warrior
    Warrior Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited November 2018 #3

    Thank you did think of this but not sure what size panels would need and so many choices. Have asked tech people about this but no reply yet.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2018 #4

    If it's just to trickle charge then about 20 watts will do the trick but while you are at it why not go for a full solar rig and put about 150 watts worth on your roof. That will make your motor homing much more independent.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2018 #5

    We visit our daughter in NZ for 3 months at a time leaving our motor home in it's secure storage, it always lives there unless we're out in it 😉. We have a solar panel (size unknown it was there when we bought 12 years ago) on the roof which charges habitation and tops up the engine battery. Last year the beast from the east hit - several times whilst we were there 😲🌞. Checked it out after our return, started first time - battery was replaced a few years back after winter absence when it didn't start, but that battery was from new and our boy is now 16 years old so didn't owe anybody 😂.

    We do nothing else other than keep cupboard, bathroom and fridge doors open and the external screen over as well as blinds down 😲😲 so it doesn't get over hot on sunny days!

    Have a great time.

  • Warrior
    Warrior Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited November 2018 #6

    Thanks Baker2 that has given me great confidence that's what cyberyatch advised. Think will start looking for one. Might go for bigger one anyway just because we do lots of wild camping so solar panel would be a great addition. Cheers people Mike.

  • MillieMaster
    MillieMaster Forum Participant Posts: 41
    edited November 2018 #7

    Warrior, as if and when you buy/fit a large roof mounted photovoltaic cell solar panel, make sure that you also buy what is known as a Split Charge Relay (a company such as this makes it all easy for you by supplying a bespoke kit https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/split-charge-kits.html).

    The Split Charge Relay is really an essential piece of kit as it very cleverly detects when one of the batteries is fully charged and then switches the charge to another one.  For instance, even in the foulest darkest weather when the solar panel isn't supplying any charge, with the engine running the Relay will detect when the main van battery has reached its fully charged state and it will then switch all further charge to the leisure batteries..............  You are best advised to also install a large sized fuse into the red heavy duty cable before the relay.

    In my installation I have 2 x 150ah gel leisure batteries and a 150ah gel van battery.  Normally 'Millie' my self built motorhome is parked up from the end of October through to the May 1st (6 months) and yet at all times, all 3 of her batteries are kept fully charged

  • Warrior
    Warrior Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited November 2018 #8

    Thank you for your input really helpful.

     

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited November 2018 #9

    Good to know it's been helpful 😁.

    If you're considering a solar panel this thread is full of info. It's rather long but well worth a read before you make any decisions.

    Link THRIVING ON EHU

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