Batteries and Long term storage

[EdZacko]

I am going to be storing my 2017 for 8 weeks Out doors in a warm climate. What do I do abotu the batteries.
Will they be dead after 8 weeks and if so what problems will I encounter after a re-charge.
If I disconnect both batteries--what happens after start up 8 weeks later.
I MIGHT be able to attach a tedner to them but I am reluctant to do that as no one will be monitoring the situation.
Suggestions appreciated
Eddie

 

[Cummins12V98]

Personally I have done nothing with mine for 4-6 Summer months in NWWA. Fired right up. 5 years on OE and now 4 on Costco Interstate.

 

[Diesel85]

Get either an on board maintainer or one of these:
Schumacher SP1297

I'm sure others will recommend NOCO and other brands. I've just had very good luck with Schumacher.

 

[sag2]

If you are concerned just pull both negative cables. It should be fine without doing anything, but a small tender (1-3 amp) will ensure they are good when you get back. I keep my 91 Dakota as well as extra batteries in the garage on tenders for months at a time. The Dakota is on a seven year old Costco battery.

 

[Road Dog]

There should be an 20A IOD fuse (Idle Off Drain) that you lift to disconnect all the modules. It's used for transport and long term factory storage. It may have a tab or case so you can lift it to open the circuit without removing and losing it.

 

[petersonj]

I personally don't use battery tenders - not saying they don't work, because I think they do, just that they are not necessary.

I think lifting the IOD fuse is a good idea for short term storage. Disconnecting both grounds is a better idea for long term storage.

I believe the most common thing that gets overlooked when batteries are put out of service is making sure that the tops and sides of the battery are clean and dry. Any foreign material (dirt, grime, dust, etc) laying on (or imbedded in) the top of the battery will act as a conductor and become a parasitic electrical path between the positive and negative post.

I would use the above steps even if I used a battery tender.

- John

 

[Topzide]

Wire a trailer plug to fit a battery maintainer (any brand will do, I've been using the HF Viking 4amp for several years). If you are concerned with being unintended, wire fuses on both leads. Have them be at 1 amp above charge rate. I have 5 amp on mine since it's rated 4 amp. I've just past 5 yrs on my set of batteries and since using a maintainer, they're good and strong! Well worth the investment with the price of batteries these days. I like having my batteries being feed through the trailer plug. No need to open and close the hood, just unplug and hang off to the side till I return and reconnect. You could also have maintainer plugged into a WIFI plug to control when it's charging (if WIFI is available where stored). That way you could have it come on once a week for 12 hours or so. Just another option. May be just fine with disconnecting if batteries are in good shape.

 

[AH64ID]

I’d use a 2-5 5A tender like the NOCO Genius 5 since it will cycle the charging based on battery condition, eliminating the need to monitor it.

I don’t have one I can go look at, but I thought there weren’t Ignition Off Draw (IOD) fuses on the 13+ trucks. There is a “ship mode” that is enabled within the computer in lieu of the IOD fuse, but once the vehicle has 110 miles on it the mode cannot be activated anymore.

If you do disconnect the batteries, also a viable option, just be aware that it may take a few minutes for the truck to find its options (cargo cam, heated seats, etc) when you hook the batteries back up.

Do you have anything in mind to keep rodents out of the truck?

 

[Ozymandias]

Just disconnect the batterys like Sag2 said, all good for months to come. It will start just fine, the self discharge of the batterys will be minimal.

 

[EdZacko]

Just checked with storage facility and they have no reliable access to power for a battery tender BUT they said if I remove both batteries they would put them in their shop and I can attach a tender to them there.
So, with these new razzle dazzle vehickles with all them computers—what will happen if I remove the batteries and 8 weeks later reinatllthem.
Eddie

 

[Diesel85]

Just checked with storage facility and they have no reliable access to power for a battery tender BUT they said if I remove both batteries they would put them in their shop and I can attach a tender to them there.
So, with these new razzle dazzle vehickles with all them computers—what will happen if I remove the batteries and 8 weeks later reinatllthem.
Eddie

Nothing wrong with that.

You may need to reset the clock and radio stations. Sometimes it may take an hour for everything to finally register (mostly on the 2019 and above)...

I wouldn't sweat it. Just disco them and take up their offer. I certainly would. Before putting them back in, that's a good time to clean and grease up the battery terminals.

 

[AH64ID]

As mentioned it won’t hurt anything, and the batteries won’t need to be charged for 8 weeks of sitting disconnected, which means they can stay in the truck.

Depending on what options you have it may take a few minutes for the truck to find its options (cargo cam, heated seats, etc) when you hook the batteries back up.

 

[Ozymandias]

Just checked with storage facility and they have no reliable access to power for a battery tender BUT they said if I remove both batteries they would put them obin their shop and I can attach a tender to them there.
So, with these new razzle dazzle vehickles with all them computers—what will happen if I remove the batteries and 8 weeks later reinatllthem.
Eddie

Why do you want to remove them?
I stored mine, disconnected, for months and there was not the slightest problem to start it afterwards.

 

[wyosteve]

Depends on what year truck you have. My '18 would drain the batteries in about 2 weeks if it wasn't started.

 

[AH64ID]

Depends on what year truck you have. My '18 would drain the batteries in about 2 weeks if it wasn't started.

Same, my 18 did not like to sit.

 

[Tuesdak]

Batteries self discharge all on their own. Disconnected: Flooded Lead Acid should be charged once every 30 days. AGM's can go 1 year. Any longer and the self discharge sulfates the batteries loosing reserve capacity. This damage isn't reversible and shortens their life. Temperature matters as higher temps discharge faster.

Unattended trickle chargers like to trip off with some stupid error/condition and let them self discharge anyway. It's worth having someone check the charger every 30 days.

If it's AGM I would charge them before storage, disconnect em, and not worry about them.

Flooded try and keep a trickle charger on them disconnected from truck.

Test them when you get back to make sure they "survived" storage.

 

[EdZacko]

I’d use a 2-5 5A tender like the NOCO Genius 5 since it will cycle the charging based on battery condition, eliminating the need to monitor it.

I don’t have one I can go look at, but I thought there weren’t Ignition Off Draw (IOD) fuses on the 13+ trucks. There is a “ship mode” that is enabled within the computer in lieu of the IOD fuse, but once the vehicle has 110 miles on it the mode cannot be activated anymore.

If you do disconnect the batteries, also a viable option, just be aware that it may take a few minutes for the truck to find its options (cargo cam, heated seats, etc) when you hook the batteries back up.

Do you have anything in mind to keep rodents out of the truck?[/QUOTE]

Actually no. What do you suggest?
It IS a problem I would rather not have.

 

[Tuesdak]

Do you have anything in mind to keep rodents out of the truck?

I use mint oil sprayed around the four wheel areas, on top of the batteries and front of the engine. Driver side front by grid heater is where they like to run around.

 

[EdZacko]

I use mint oil sprayed around the four wheel areas, on top of the batteries and front of the engine. Driver side front by grid heater is where they like to run around.

When you say "Mint Oil"--exactly what did you buy.
I am in Mexico so locating something usefull might be an issue.
Brand name would be useful then I can search.
Thanks

 

[Diesel85]

I keep a box of Bounce and a few sheets stuffed away in some areas of my truck. Not only does it make the truck smell good, but apparently rodents don't like the smell of it. Seems to work in all my trucks. Never a rodent issue.

Folks in my area also do it in their RVs and campers and it works.

Apparently rodents won't go anywhere near it.