Battery Winterization

[Doug4bass]

Hi Guys. In the past , up here in the Great White North , I have always fully charged the batts on my previous boats and then disconnected them while leaving them shipped. I have never had a problem. One other guy where I am storing my new boat recommended leaving the boat plugged in all winter using a programmable timer. This would run the 3 stage " smart" charger 4 hours a week to keep them "topped off". It is the first time I have had access to shore power while on the hard The batteries are 4d's so removing them is out of the question. Im kind of leery about leaving the boat plugged in over the winter . Any thoughts? Thx!

 

[higgs]

You leave your boat plugged in all summer, right? What's the difference?

 

[hewebb]

I have several batteries that are not used often. I run Battery Tenders on them to keep them alive.

 

[weinie]

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/self_discharge

 

[Doug4bass]

You leave your boat plugged in all summer, right? What's the difference?

The boat is attended in the summer.......buried in the winter. Thats the difference.

 

[Doug4bass]

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/self_discharge

Thanks!! Problem solved.

 

[quadrille38]

Our yard always pulled them out and stored them in a shed. For a long time it was included in the haul out fee so it wasn't a money making thing for them. They operated on the premise that they could add water or pop on a charge if needed. Having them all in one place made it easier. Also to make sure they were charged before launch.


Well this year there is a change. With so many boats getting more and more power stuff and batteries getting bigger wrestling 4Ds and 8Ds out has become a real pain. I mean that quite literally. None of us is getting younger and backs are showing the strain of wrestling those darn things out and up and down companionway stairs. That and some configurations are so tight that they worried about bumps and scrapes to the boat.

So this fall they've decided to leave them in and they are running a power chord to each boat. They will hook up and put a charge on a few of times over the winter.
As previous poster said may not be necessary but it's not going to hurt to throw a charge on.

And I know for me I'm thrilled that I don't have to worry about my back or last years hernia repair ? nor do I have to feel bad asking the yard guys who've become more like family to do it for me.

 

[Granfalloon]

Hi Guys. In the past , up here in the Great White North , I have always fully charged the batts on my previous boats and then disconnected them while leaving them shipped. I have never had a problem. One other guy where I am storing my new boat recommended leaving the boat plugged in all winter using a programmable timer. This would run the 3 stage " smart" charger 4 hours a week to keep them "topped off". It is the first time I have had access to shore power while on the hard The batteries are 4d's so removing them is out of the question. Im kind of leery about leaving the boat plugged in over the winter . Any thoughts? Thx!

Try a few solar panels - 5 Watt or 10 Watt - should keep them topped off.

Or go down once a month and charge them back up full.

They need to be kept topped off. If not they will discharge to the point they can freeze and crack the battery block.