Battery maintenance: In order to maximize the life of your batteries and their ability to hold a charge, you
should follow several important steps in using and storing lead acid batteries
• Batteries should be placed on charge immediately after use regardless of the discharge status. Failure to
do so will shorten the battery’s life.
• The less the battery is drained before recharging, the longer the expected life of the battery. Charging
the battery more often, with a lower discharge, will extend its life.
• Whenever the batteries are not in use, even if they are mostly charged, it is always recommended to
fully charge the battery to maintain the charge and preserve the battery’s life. If the batteries are going
to be stored for an extended period of time, they should be fully charged before being stored and
charged up regularly (at least monthly.) Store the battery in a cool area, not directly on concrete.
• Charge the battery in a cool location. T he cooler the battery is, the better it will charge.
• During use, keep the battery as cool as possible. This will extend the battery’s charge. If you have a
choice between a shaded location and a direct sun location, choose the shade if practical. This is not
possible if using a solar panel.
• To recharge the batteries, plug a 120V extension cord into the plug in the side of the battery box. This
will charge all the enclosed batteries. The display on the installed battery charger will indicate when the
batteries are fully charged. Use of any battery charger other than the unit supplied will void the warranty.
• In the w inter, it is important that the batteries are protected from freezing. It is best to store the
batteries where there is no chance of freezing. If this is not possible, keep the batteries charged while in
storage. A fully charged battery can resist freezing better than one with a low charge. If the trailer is to
be stored inside and the solar panel will not be able to maintain the charge on the system it is necessary
to charge the batteries regularly. Batteries that are allow ed to freeze are not cov ered under w arranty.
• If your trailer is equipped with a solar panel, the panel should always be connected to the solar
controller, which will allow the batteries to remain fully charged whenever the trailer is in transit or in
storage outdoors. Keep the solar panel clean for optimal charging.
• If flooded trailer batteries are removed from the battery box, they must be stored upright.
• For flooded trailer batteries, check the battery water level when charging. If it is low, fill using distilled
w ater only.
• Clean excessive corrosion on the terminals with a mixture of baking soda and water. Make sure battery
terminals are tight.
• To test the charger: Measure the voltage on the batteries. Plug in the charger and the voltage should go
higher.
• To test the solar panel: On a sunny day, check the voltage on the solar connection on the solar
controller. It should be higher than the voltage on the batteries.
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