I AM THINKING ABOUT LEAVING MY BATTERIES (WET CELLS) CONNECTED IN BOAT DURING WINTER LAYUP. I PLAN TO RECHARGE EVERY 4-5 WEEKS FOR FOUR HOURS. MANUAL RECOMENDS DISCONNECTING BATTERIES DUE TO DRAIN (SMALL) FROM SENSORS FOR FOR ENGINE FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM (I THINK). WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE OF YOU SAILORS FROM THE NORTHERN CLIMES?
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keep them charged
your batteries will be fine as long as you keep them charged-it's best to disconnect them for safety and to make sure that the small drains don't run them down-a discharged battery can freeze. Also, some yards like you to disconnect them for safety-a short could start a fire. If you leave them connected, make sure that everthing that could be damaged is off-for example your bilge pump could go on for water in the bilge-if it's frozen it could burn out. look at your power drains and make sure that you can go 4-5 weeks with only a 4 hour charge-never let your batteries go below 50%
your batteries will be fine as long as you keep them charged-it's best to disconnect them for safety and to make sure that the small drains don't run them down-a discharged battery can freeze. Also, some yards like you to disconnect them for safety-a short could start a fire. If you leave them connected, make sure that everthing that could be damaged is off-for example your bilge pump could go on for water in the bilge-if it's frozen it could burn out. look at your power drains and make sure that you can go 4-5 weeks with only a 4 hour charge-never let your batteries go below 50%
presume that you have power available.
Burt: I presume that you will have power available. Why don't you also install a golden rod or something similar to warm the area where the batteries are located. If they are in the stock position behind the engine & above the shaft log it will be very easy. They consume very little electricity.
Burt: I presume that you will have power available. Why don't you also install a golden rod or something similar to warm the area where the batteries are located. If they are in the stock position behind the engine & above the shaft log it will be very easy. They consume very little electricity.
Wintering Batteries
On my sailboat, I take the battery out of boat, put it on the work bench in the unheated garage, charge it to full capacity and leave it sit for the winter. Iv'e done this for about 20 years without any problems. Sincerely, Brian
On my sailboat, I take the battery out of boat, put it on the work bench in the unheated garage, charge it to full capacity and leave it sit for the winter. Iv'e done this for about 20 years without any problems. Sincerely, Brian
Your OK
As long as they are charged they will be fine. I leave mine in, close the boat the end of Nov, check it the end of Jan and the bateries are fine. Top the charge off which doesn't take long. I would probably try to top them off more often if the boat were closer but they really haven't seemed to lose all that much in the past.
As long as they are charged they will be fine. I leave mine in, close the boat the end of Nov, check it the end of Jan and the bateries are fine. Top the charge off which doesn't take long. I would probably try to top them off more often if the boat were closer but they really haven't seemed to lose all that much in the past.
Batteries
Burt, Here in Montreal, our boat will be out of the water next week and be back in the water in early May. I have 5 group 31 batteries that I leave in the boat, connected. These are now 5 year old and still work very well. I charge them up in late October, with a 3 stages electronic charger, and will not go back to the boat until mid April. Only precaution: Verify water level, top up and full charge in October, disconnect bilge pump, turn all main switches off. With our very cold temperature here, the rate of self discharge is around 20 to 25% diring the 5 to 6 months period. I measure the voltage every spring with a voltmeter. This has been my experience!
Burt, Here in Montreal, our boat will be out of the water next week and be back in the water in early May. I have 5 group 31 batteries that I leave in the boat, connected. These are now 5 year old and still work very well. I charge them up in late October, with a 3 stages electronic charger, and will not go back to the boat until mid April. Only precaution: Verify water level, top up and full charge in October, disconnect bilge pump, turn all main switches off. With our very cold temperature here, the rate of self discharge is around 20 to 25% diring the 5 to 6 months period. I measure the voltage every spring with a voltmeter. This has been my experience!
Lauren, yes they can.
Lauren: AGM & GEL batteries have a lower discharge rate than flooded batteries, so they can normally be left aboard and not charged (assuming that you would not have them hooked up to anything). If you have a bilge pump or some other devices hooked up they will need to be charged periodically or hooked to a charger.
Lauren: AGM & GEL batteries have a lower discharge rate than flooded batteries, so they can normally be left aboard and not charged (assuming that you would not have them hooked up to anything). If you have a bilge pump or some other devices hooked up they will need to be charged periodically or hooked to a charger.
Battery in drydock boat for years?
I've just bought my first sailboat, and it's been out of water for years, left completely unattended. The battery was left connected all this time. As far as I can tell, nothing was left draining its power. It is connected to the outboard (which presumably is how it gets re-charged.) What can I expect of its operating condition? And what should I do now before covering the boat up for winter?
I've just bought my first sailboat, and it's been out of water for years, left completely unattended. The battery was left connected all this time. As far as I can tell, nothing was left draining its power. It is connected to the outboard (which presumably is how it gets re-charged.) What can I expect of its operating condition? And what should I do now before covering the boat up for winter?
Dead Most likely
But give it a shot and check. Best bet would be to put it on a charger for a day or so and see how it responds.
But give it a shot and check. Best bet would be to put it on a charger for a day or so and see how it responds.
No {roblem
I leave my batteries in every winter. I just shut the battery swiches to the off position to be sure nothing is connected to them. In SPring I hook up 10vac to the boat to charge them up for the initial startup of the engine. never had a problem.
I leave my batteries in every winter. I just shut the battery swiches to the off position to be sure nothing is connected to them. In SPring I hook up 10vac to the boat to charge them up for the initial startup of the engine. never had a problem.
Batteries and winter
I hate to do this but just had to say it. Down here in the south, Louisiana to be exact, we don't have any knowledge about winterizing batteries. We sail all winter long, and the good sailing season is just beginning. I know, I am an ass, but I just couldn't help it.
I hate to do this but just had to say it. Down here in the south, Louisiana to be exact, we don't have any knowledge about winterizing batteries. We sail all winter long, and the good sailing season is just beginning. I know, I am an ass, but I just couldn't help it.
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