Expert Reveals How RV and Boat Owners Can Keep Their Batteries Juiced

APPLETON, WI 04/05/10; According to statistics, the average battery life for the non-sealed lead acid batteries typically used in RVs and boats is somewhere between 24 months to 48 months, even though some owners could swear it's even less.

But it doesn't have to be that way, according to Terry Fellner, a battery service veteran and president of Thermoil, Inc. (http://www.thermoil.com/), a manufacturer of products designed to enhance the lives of non-sealed lead acid batteries.

"Deep cycle batteries require more maintenance than a starting battery, and are more expensive because of the amount of power they need to generate, so it really does pay off for owners to take some basic precautions and protect their investment in these types of batteries," he said.

Fellner offered some battery maintenance tips for RV and boat owners:

Why did my battery die? -- The most common causes of battery failure are:

Loss of electrolyte due to heat or overcharging 
Corrosion 
Sulfation 
Undercharging 
Vibration 
Freezing 
Old Age 
Using tap water 

Charge it -- If your RV or boat is not in use, you should charge the battery at least once every other month if it's in a cold climate and once a month for those stored in the warmer climates.

Climate matters -- Remember that all batteries self-discharge when they are not in use. In cold climates, they lose about 3 percent per month, while the hotter climates can cause a battery to lose between 8 and 10 percent of their charge per month, just from sitting there!

Use a battery de-mister -- When a battery de-mister is added to a battery it will increase battery life, increase shelf life, maintain battery chemistry, reduce charge time, eliminate corrosion and greatly reduce water consumption. It also greatly reduces the risk of explosion and will help to keep your battery working under any condition from -50 degrees to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, Fellner added.

Watch the Volts -- When not in use, you should never let your battery fall below 12.45 volts. This is when they will start to sulfate and go bad.