Recreational Vans
Storing a van for weeks or months invites slow battery drain from alarms, modules, trackers, and other always on systems. A trickle charge strategy keeps voltage stable and chemistry happy so your rig wakes up ready to go. The aim is not to force current into a full battery but to hold a safe float voltage that offsets natural self discharge and parasitic draw. Done right, you prevent sulfation in lead batteries, preserve lithium cycle life, and avoid the click with no crank moment.
Batteries never rest completely. Lead acid and AGM chemistries self discharge a few percent per month even when disconnected. Add parasitic loads from body control modules, keyless entry, and telematics, and the starter battery can slide below healthy voltage within a few weeks. Deep cycle house batteries face similar attrition if any inverter standby mode, fridge controller, or sensor remains active.
A smart maintainer in float mode counters those losses by holding a steady voltage that is high enough to maintain charge yet low enough to avoid gassing or overcharge. For flooded lead acid, that float target often sits near 13.2 to 13.6 volts at room temperature. AGM batteries usually prefer the lower side of that range. Temperature compensation matters because cold slows chemical activity and heat accelerates it. Quality maintainers adjust automatically.
Lithium iron phosphate behaves differently. Lithium does not like to sit at full charge for long storage, and it is sensitive to low temperature charging. Many owners store lithium around 50 to 60 percent state of charge, allow the battery management system to sleep, and only maintain a trickle if there is measurable idle load. If a charger is used, it must have a lithium profile and respect low temperature cutoffs.
Think in systems. Modern vans often have two discrete banks. The chassis battery starts the engine and supports factory electronics. The house battery powers living systems. Maintaining both requires a plan that takes into account isolators, DC to DC chargers, and the resting behavior of any inverter. Never assume one maintainer will propagate through an isolator in the direction you expect.
The starter battery sees short high current bursts and spends its life close to full charge. It benefits from a maintainer that keeps voltage near a gentle float while countering small background loads. The house bank sees deeper cycles. If it will sit for months with light standby draw, a low current float or periodic top off is helpful. If true zero load storage is possible, storing lithium at mid state without a maintainer can be better long term.
Flooded lead acid needs periodic water checks and a float voltage that avoids heavy gassing. AGM prefers tight voltage control and does not need water service. Lithium wants careful charge termination and minimal time at one hundred percent. A one size setting is not ideal, so use chargers with selectable profiles or automatic detection that is proven for your chemistry.
There are three common approaches. The simplest is a smart AC powered maintainer with a microprocessor that shifts between bulk, absorption, and float, then holds a maintenance level. These units offer ring terminal pigtails for a permanent quick connect, which reduces the chance of reversed polarity and sparks.
Solar maintainers work when shore power is not available. A small panel paired with a proper charge controller can offset light loads and self discharge. The controller is essential. It prevents overcharge on bright days and protects against reverse flow at night. For storage outdoors with partial shade, size the panel based on average sun hours, then add margin for cloudy periods.
The third approach uses shore power through an onboard inverter charger or power center. Set the charger to the correct chemistry profile, verify float voltage targets, and disable high draw features. Many inverters have an eco mode or sleep mode that reduces idle consumption. Always confirm that chassis and house banks are both receiving appropriate maintenance. Some systems require dedicated maintainers for each bank.
As a rule of thumb, a parasitic load of 25 to 50 milliamps on the chassis battery equates to roughly 0.6 to 1.2 amp hours per day. A 20 to 50 watt panel through a quality controller can cover that easily in decent sun. House systems with fridges off and inverter asleep often draw a little more. A 50 to 100 watt panel for maintenance can be effective, especially when paired with a controller that has a float stage rather than a simple on off output.
Verify absorption and float set points, temperature compensation, and any lithium storage mode if available. Some units allow a storage profile that reduces float slightly to limit time at peak voltage. Use a dedicated circuit and a properly rated extension cord only when necessary. Keep chargers cool and dry and avoid laying cords where moisture collects.
Good storage starts with a system check. Record resting voltage for each bank, confirm all accessories are off, and note any devices that cannot be powered down. Clean terminals reduce resistance and heat, and correct torque prevents micro arcing. Place maintainers where airflow is adequate. Flooded lead acid batteries can release hydrogen under charge, so avoid sparks and ensure ventilation.
Avoid cheap constant current units that never transition to a true float. Over time they can dry out plates or confuse a battery management system. Choose maintainers with reverse polarity protection, short circuit protection, and a clamp or ring terminal option with an inline fuse near the battery. Be aware that some accessory ports in vehicles are switched and will not backfeed a charge with the key off.
Check on the van periodically. For flooded cells, inspect electrolyte and top with distilled water only if needed and only after charging. Look for abnormal warmth in chargers, swelling in lithium enclosures, or a persistent chemical smell. A monthly voltage log helps spot creeping problems before they strand you.
If outdoor storage is your reality, choose a breathable cover so moisture does not condense around connectors. Keep tires at proper pressure to reduce flat spots, and consider a fuel stabilizer for long parked periods, though that is separate from the charging plan. Small things add up to a van that wakes up like it never sat.
With the right plan, trickle charging becomes invisible. Batteries stay healthy, electronics retain memory, and your first turn of the key brings the engine to life instead of a call for a jump.
A well designed van often routes charging access to convenient locations, ties maintainers into proper distribution points, and integrates solar as a maintenance tool rather than an afterthought. Professional integration aligns chemistry settings, overcurrent protection, and wiring gauge with manufacturer requirements so the system stays safe and serviceable.
If you prefer expert help aligning starter and house battery maintenance, integrated shore power, and solar upkeep with your travel style, look for a builder who understands both chassis systems and auxiliary power architecture. Thoughtful layout, labeled access, and clean routing make seasonal storage easy instead of tedious.
OZK Customs builds and upfits vans that store as well as they travel. Our team sets up smart maintainers, battery specific charge profiles, shore power inlets, and solar controllers so your electrical system behaves correctly in use and in hibernation. Whether you need a discreet quick connect at the grille or a full power center configured for float maintenance, we map the solution to your battery chemistry and use case. Based in Fayetteville Arkansas, we make handoff simple and teach you how your system maintains itself while parked.
For platform guidance and layout options, explore our builds, then decide whether you want a full custom electrical strategy or a platform based package with storage minded charging baked in.
Ready to remove battery anxiety from storage. Tell us how you park, how you travel, and what you power. We will design a clean, serviceable charging plan with labeled access, correct profiles for your chemistry, and safe routing that fits your van today and your plans tomorrow. Submit the form and we will reply with a clear scope, timeline, and investment.
Ready to store your van without battery drama. We design integrated shore power inlets, smart charger systems, and solar maintainers that keep both starter and house batteries healthy. Tell us how you travel and we will build a clean, serviceable charging solution. Submit the form and get a tailored plan with timeline and pricing.
ADDRESS:
6159 E Huntsville Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701
PHONE:
(479) 326-9200
EMAIL:
info@ozkvans.com