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09-14-2022, 01:22 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Posts: 178
M.O.C. #9174
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Winter Solar Operation with Lead Acid in Storage
Hi everyone, I'm leaving my 2022 Montana in outside storage just south of the Canadian border over the winter. It will not be connected to any utilities so my question is; should I take the lead–acid batteries(2) out over the winter or leave them in and let the solar system maintain the charge? If I take the batteries out, I would store them in my warm garage on a trickle charger. Ideally, if I could leave them in place and disconnect the negative terminal it would be much simpler, but I'm not sure if that's best for the batteries. Your assistance is much appreciated
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Carl & Susan G
2021 Montana 3121RL Legacy
2017 Ford F250 6.7 diesel
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09-14-2022, 01:41 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,899
M.O.C. #20477
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Leave them in and disconnect them. Make sure they are fully charged before disconnecting and you will not have any trouble.
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Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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09-14-2022, 05:47 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,324
M.O.C. #4831
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What he said ^^^^^^^^^^
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Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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10-20-2022, 07:57 AM
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#4
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Tubac
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #29927
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Really?? I have the same issue as the OP. I am afraid that the batteries will freeze over the winter but, I can't figure our how to leave the batteries on board and let the solar keep them charged. I figured it was easy to disconnect them from the coach by turning off the isolator switch. but, when I do that I still have 12v throughout the unit. I can't figure out what that switch does???
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10-20-2022, 08:42 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,152
M.O.C. #30417
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Here's a picture of the giggy box showing the wiring.
You see the disconnect switch? It isolates everything but the solar charger and the breakaway switch. If you turn the switch off the solar will continue to charge.
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Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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10-20-2022, 08:46 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,041
M.O.C. #5329
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I leave my batteries hooked up all winter, and the solar panel keeps them charged. Denver, Colorado.
Been doing this for years, with no problems.
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10-20-2022, 09:08 AM
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#7
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Tubac
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #29927
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Do the 5'vers come with this? Mine is a 2021 and I can't find the box??
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10-20-2022, 07:32 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,324
M.O.C. #4831
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trooper
Do the 5'vers come with this? Mine is a 2021 and I can't find the box??
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It really, really helps if you add the year and model of your Montana to your signature line. It allows us to provide a better answer when we know more about what you have.
Your 2021 doesn't have a Giggy box. That is a 2022 feature. You have a Red Disconnect Key in the convenience center that is allegedly a disconnect switch. Only it doesn't disconnect all the 12V parasitic draws. The ONLY answer is to disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Or leave it so you have 120V shore power charging the battery OR solar charging.
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Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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10-20-2022, 07:32 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,152
M.O.C. #30417
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My understanding is the Giggy box came out in 2021. If you have one it will be part of your battery disconnect!
https://www.keystonerv.com/innovations/giggy-box
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Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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10-20-2022, 08:20 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 932
M.O.C. #30262
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If your 2021 does have the Giggy box, it would likely be the larger black box with the red switch on it below the silver colored inverter in the photo
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Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
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10-21-2022, 06:57 AM
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#11
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Tubac
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #29927
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I am still trying to navigate this forum. I will try to figure out how to edit my signature.
Thanks for all your help. I may take a chance and leave the batteries on board.
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10-21-2022, 08:47 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,152
M.O.C. #30417
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trooper
I am still trying to navigate this forum. I will try to figure out how to edit my signature.
Thanks for all your help. I may take a chance and leave the batteries on board.
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To edit top left, Bottom gold band of menu options. Click on UserCP and add your info there.
__________________
Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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