# Long Term Storage
**URL:** https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763
**Category:** GEM Forum
**Created:** [February 1, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763 "2016-02-01T16:03:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 12
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@RonaldS](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RonaldS)
#### Post date: [February 1, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763/1 "2016-02-01T16:03:57Z")
What is the best way to preserve Gel batteries during long term storage. I have the charger plugged in but can control the outlet to be on continuously or on any kind of schedule possible. Any idea what is optimal?
It is a 2005 e2 with gel cell batteries.
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### Author:  [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)
#### Post date: [February 1, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763/2 "2016-02-01T18:23:17Z")
On every 8 hours every 2 weeks.
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### Author:  [@RonaldS](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RonaldS)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2016, 3:01pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763/3 "2016-02-02T15:01:46Z")
Perfect. Thanks much.
I did just that yesterday and I noticed it took over 7 hours to return to a nominal draw of 7 watts. Much longer than I expected. It stayed at about 210 watts for quite some time.
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### Author:  [@LithiumGods](https://community.electricforum.com/u/LithiumGods)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763/4 "2016-02-02T19:31:54Z")
you should have a delta q charger , they are suppose to come on every 2 weeks and top off batteries.
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### Author:  [@RonaldS](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RonaldS)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763/5 "2016-02-07T15:50:39Z")
I presume it is the Delta charger. So should I just leave it on all the time?
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### Author:  [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2016, 4:34pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763/6 "2016-02-07T16:34:35Z")
Depends on the year/model
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### Author:  [@LithiumGods](https://community.electricforum.com/u/LithiumGods)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2016, 7:27pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763/7 "2016-02-07T19:27:41Z")
look above the drivers tire towards the motor , do you see a yellow box hanging upside down ? if so you have a delta q charger . I was under the assumption that all deltaq’s restarted , but I’m not positive . you should give a call to the manufacture . if it does , just plug it in and all should be good .
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### Author:  [@LithiumGods](https://community.electricforum.com/u/LithiumGods)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2016, 7:35pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763/8 "2016-02-07T19:35:24Z")
the manual I saw states they restart if cell voltage drops below 2.1v or every 30 days . gels do last longer if they are held to at higher voltage. you could put on a timer to restart every week for 4-5 hours . would be a little better . especially in cold climates.
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### Author:  [@RonaldS](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RonaldS)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2016, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763/9 "2016-02-10T14:49:18Z")
Ok. I am not on site so cannot look. It is a 2005 and yes has gel batteries. I do have it on a controlled circuit and can monitor the kw-hr that it accumulates to see. It normally is at 7 watts, probably due to the dash lights and the electric cord light.
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### Author:  [@eSGEMColo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/eSGEMColo)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2016, 5:52pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763/10 "2016-02-12T17:52:31Z")
hi Ronalds welcome… charge your car fully then remove the cover on your lower dash… the ignition key will open it… inside there is a switch… move it and that will kill the power used by the batteries… probably won’t have to recharge your car for 4 to 6 months
Bob
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### Author:  [@arandall](https://community.electricforum.com/u/arandall)
#### Post date: [February 12, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763/11 "2016-02-12T19:09:34Z")
[quote=eS GEM Colo;29069]hi Ronalds welcome… charge your car fully then remove the cover on your lower dash… the ignition key will open it… inside there is a switch… move it and that will kill the power used by the batteries… probably won’t have to recharge your car for 4 to 6 months
Bob[/quote]
Not really a good idea w FLA batteries IMO which self discharge over time. Other technologies (LiFe) can be different. Can be a problem too if cart stored where batteries can freeze. Charging constantly keeps them warm enough to prevent this. I keep mine on trickle charge throughout winter and recycle my charger every two weeks and check fluid levels every month but I have old-school Trojan FLA batteries.
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### Author:  [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2016, 2:41am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/long-term-storage/5763/12 "2016-02-13T02:41:06Z")
All batteries will self discharge at about 1% a day, slightly more if the switch is on, If you do not have an auto low voltage detect on your charger common practice is to cycle your charger every 2 weeks. for maximum battery life. If you shut the switch off the charger cant charge.
[quote=eS GEM Colo;29069]hi Ronalds welcome… charge your car fully then remove the cover on your lower dash… the ignition key will open it… inside there is a switch… move it and that will kill the power used by the batteries… probably won’t have to recharge your car for 4 to 6 months
Bob[/quote]