RV Battery Maintenance

[@dstragand]

Battery fill tip: a dollar store turkey baster is great for adding distilled water to the battery. It allows you to see the level while you add the water. Another great video!

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

Great tip! Thanks so much for sharing that with us all Dave! You are a tremendous resource.

[@charleslokken7390]

Would appreciate a video on use of Southwire clamp multi-meter. You provide very informative videos...thank you!

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

Great to know! I'll put it on my ever growing list of topics to cover. Thanks Charles!

[@jcwm01]

You are totally in your element here. A natural educator. Great work! ❤

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

That's so kind of you to say. Thank you so much 😊

[@SidebandSamurai]

Nice video. You can swap out your lead acid battery for a lithium battery of the same size. Looks like you have a standard automotive battery, Each battery gets a group number, which will determine the physical size of your battery. Getting a lithium battery and solar charger will increase your off grid capability and reduce weight as well. these batteries also come with their own app and bluetooth connection so you can check your state of charge right from your smart phone. These batteries will last longer (in life) than the standard Led Acid battery and require no maintenance. The charger is intelligent enough were it cuts the charge to the battery after its fully charged. allowing you to use the solar panels as an alternate source of power. But remember do not use your current charging system with Lithium batteries. They require a different charger. You can still charge from your tow vehicle but the charge current will go the charge controller. Great little trailer, and brilliant video. You did a great job.

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

Thank you. And I would absolutely love to upgrade my battery system... just waiting for the budget. Any sponsors out there watching 👀👀👀

[@Meari.S]

Another great video. I used a cheap measuring cup with a spout to fill my car battery. But I like Dave's idea of using a turkey baster, too. Excellent tip for using lemon on rust! I'll have to remember that one.

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

@@Meari.S another great option! I love the knowledge sharing happening in the comments section. Scampers are a special group. Thanks for the alternative solution. Glad you found something useful to you in the video.

[@fahadalenezi8616]

"You provide excellent information. I've benefited from some of the videos (as I haven't watched all of them yet 😆) that you share with us. Wishing you all the thanks and happiness in your life. A subscriber from Kuwait"

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

👋 Hello to you in Kuwait! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos. Thanks for the comment. Do y'all get trailers like these imported to you there? I think if I saw a Scamp over in your neck of the woods it would make my day!

[@fahadalenezi8616]

@@BackcountryDirtbag In fact, I am very impressed with the 13-foot Scamp trailer, but I have not seen this trailer in the markets or in the trailer owners' gatherings in Kuwait and the Gulf region. However, we have many trailers made in the United States, such as Forest River, Coachman, Jayco, Heartland, and Salem, as well as many European and Australian trailers. These trailers are usually modified electrically to convert them to 220 volts and 50 hertz, and the air conditioning systems are adjusted to suit our very hot desert climate. 😇 I hope you can make a video talking about the Scamp 13, the type of axle it uses, and its durability on rough roads because I haven't found anyone discussing this topic. Can it be upgraded to include shock absorbers for better stability? If you have the time, it would be greatly appreciated. 🌹🙏🏻

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

​@@fahadalenezi8616 Sounds like you get a lot of great options to choose from. I'm thinking about adding some more clearance to my Scamp for better off-road capabilities. But straight from the factory they don't fare well on rough terrain.

[@rgnewlife6622]

Replace it with a PowerQueen battery 🔋 🎉

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

I would absolutely love to. Does anyone know how to get me connected with them???

[@jeanpaschke6044]

Another great video. I knew nothing about the battery! Thank you so much. I will be checking the water level right away.

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

You're welcome! I definitely learned this one the hard way on my 1st RV. Taking good care of them can make a huge difference. I had a lead acid battery last 8 years once. So it pays to keep them happy.

[@ac0gv]

I just noticed that you also cover the windows with Astro foil(?), I did that for storage and found that I liked it left in most of the time. Mine is held in with binder clips on the frame screws.(I've also recently tinted my windows.)

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

I'm jelly. I'm saving up to get my windows tinted too. Do you find it has made a significant difference? I have reflectix in my windows. The insulative bubble wrap kind. It keeps the sun out of the interior preventing sun damage. It also keeps it significantly cooler inside the Scamp. I use it when I'm camping and when the trailer sits unused. You can see how I did it in my Scamp Hacks Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6C7qmqGe8x8fbcsi=fWDqR6OApICMIaN8

[@ac0gv]

@@BackcountryDirtbag I wanted a "GOLD" tint and could only fine one source, it was cheap at only 10$ per roll. but it looked more yellow to me. I have not traveled with it yet. The Scamp rally will be the first time and I will leave the foil in. For one thing, if I'm boondocking the Astro foil causes the cool night air to flow down over my face.

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

Nice. I wish I could make it to the rally this year. Have a lil extra fun for me.

[@efad3215]

"But I didn't die ...this time" Made me laugh a little

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

Hehehe good I'm glad someone gets my odd humor. Gotta be able to laugh at ourselves right? Especially our mistakes.

[@efad3215]

@@BackcountryDirtbag Mmhmm!

[@Meari.S]

Me too! ☺

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

@@Meari.S 😜

[@RonHMcPeak]

I am intrigued with the triangles tattooed on your finger. I did some research and best I can tell, it has something to do with fire and earth. Can you please fill me in? Thanks. BTW I have a 1985 Scamp in need of major makeover, so your videos are interesting to me and very informative.

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

They are Greek symbols for the elements. When I hold my hand one way they mean air and water. When I flip my hand over they mean earth and fire. I got them to represent my deep love of nature and my favorite outdoor hobbies. I'm really glad you are enjoying the vids Ron. An 85 makeover sounds like loads of fun!

[@mnhyrkas]

Everyone says to carry a multimeter. So I got one. Have no idea how to use it. Please do a video on this- I didn't really find any good videos already out there to help me out. If there are, someone post a link!

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

@@mnhyrkas you got it. I'll try to get to this one sooner rather than later.

[@storychasing]

Couldn’t you have left the battery in its compartment and just add the water?

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

That's a great question. You absolutely can. It is just a very small space to work and the battery box makes removing the reservoir caps more difficult. I prefer to remove it in order to clean the exterior of the battery and inspect the battery box/hardware for damage. If I had left the battery inside the box to perform this service I never would have discovered the rust on the mounting hardware below the battery. That rust left undiscovered could have led to bigger problems in the future.

[@pdxraves]

:-)

[@BackcountryDirtbag]

☺️