Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

[Taxus812]

Im winterizing over the next few weeks. My boat has an onboard 3 phased battery charger that switches mode depending on the battery state(I have a plug on the transom) . it also has a disconnect switch to disconnect the batteries from the main circuit (but leaving them connected to the charger) . Why not just leave the batteries in the boat? I can run the extension cord out plug it into the boat once a month and top off both batteries

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

Seams like the best place for it to me.

My battery stays onboard full time, but with an O/B I use the boat all year round. The only "winterization" I do is fuel stabilizer after Labor day.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

Mine stay on the boat and aren't touched all winter. I charge 'em up and disconnect them from any potential power drain. In the spring (6-7 months later) it takes no time to bring them back to a full charge. If they go dead in storage they needed to be replaced anyway.

My .02

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

Mine stay on the boat and aren't touched all winter. I charge 'em up and disconnect them from any potential power drain. In the spring (6-7 months later) it takes no time to bring them back to a full charge. If they go dead in storage they needed to be replaced anyway.

^+1^ same as above

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

I take mine out, primarily because I'm 3 hours from the boat for 6 months and would be subject to -20F for some of that time.

 

[lprizman]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

just disconnect and trickle charge 1 week before the spring shake down run

 

[dlngr]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

Mine stay on the boat and aren't touched all winter. I charge 'em up and disconnect them from any potential power drain. In the spring (6-7 months later) it takes no time to bring them back to a full charge. If they go dead in storage they needed to be replaced anyway.

^+1^ same as above

the only thing is,if they freeze and crack,then thaw,you have battery acid all over the inside of your boat.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

When storing cars-n- boats etc. I pull the batts, or at the bare minimum, disconnect them. Otherwise you have a chance of a fire if vermin...IE... mice, decide they want to chew on the insulation on any hot wires, potentially causing a short circuit..And as already mentioned, a dead batt can freeze and crack.....

 

[Taxus812]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

Out winters in CT dont go much (if at all) below 0 F. What temperature does a maintenance free battery start to freeze ?

 

[ricohman]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

I usually pull my batteries out. At -45 a low battery can freeze and then I have a real mess to contend with.
The only trouble is lowering the drive after the boat is wrapped and towed to the inside storage. Can an Alpha drive be lowered without batteries and access to the control? I don't think so.
Maybe I should pull the drive.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

I pull my batteries, but then, we have a five month winter, three months of which are minus 20 celcius or colder. Doesn't do the batteries or the boat any harm to have the batteries stored inside in the warm. The batteries last longer that way.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

I pull the batteries out because it gets cold in MN; not as cold as in Canada or Alaska though. If they crack while in the boat it makes a mess.

 

[Taxus812]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

I just found it at Trojan Battery Company

Can a battery freeze?
The only way that a battery can freeze is if it is left in a state of partial or complete discharged. As the state of charge in a battery decreases, the electrolyte becomes more like water and the freezing temperature increases. The freezing temperature of the electrolyte in a fully charged battery is -92.0oF. At a 40% state of charge, electrolyte will freeze if the temperature reaches approximately 16.0oF

I have

1. A Blue Sea Systems battery isolation (On\Off) switch that disconnects the batteries from the system
2. Healthy batteries (can get to 100% charge of 12.64 Volts)
3. Onboard GUEST 10 AMP, two output (two batteries) with threee automatic modes (Bulk, Absorbsion and float) that I can plug in without uncovering or simply leave connected
4. Live in an area that is around or above 0 F in the winter

Sounds like i'm good to go leaving them in place in MY situation. Now I have to determine what freezing temps do to the battery life.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

I will be pulling the battery out next month, It is not like it is a major project anyway.
Keeping it cool/warm in the garage is better than frozen. It is a long Winter.
If you are in CT, like OH, we will not be boating again until next May.

If you are going to keep a Charger/Maintainer on it all winter,
Be sure to keep the Water topped off or bad things will happen.
I just took these photos on Friday. BOOM! Acid everywhere!



I will also be pulling the Alpha Outdrive Off at the same time for Storage and Maintenance.
I found the gasket had been leaking last year and the shift cable was flooded.
I would have never known there was a problem developing if I hadn't.
It is recommended to additionally, Inspect/Replace the Water Pump Impeller ~yearly.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

the only thing is,if they freeze and crack,then thaw,you have battery acid all over the inside of your boat.

Nope,they should be and are in a battery box!

 

[fishmasterinvt]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

Cold temps shouldn't kill a healthy, well charged battery. I pull my batteries and store them in a shed with no heat. I agree that a frozen battery can be a nightmare, so why take a chance. I can trickle charge them a couple of times during our 6 months of down time and get 3-5 years from an acid battery.

 

[mrmamiller]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

Knock on wood...., I've left the batteries in the boat since it was new (1986). Winters are cold, often down below zero F. Storage period is end of October through Easter. Never had a problem (knock again). I pull the negative leads, make sure there is no dirt or moisture between the posts and leave the batteries in a fully charged condition. Doesn't take much to get them to full charge in the spring.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

I usually leave my batteries in the boat after putting a good charge on them in October. I trickle charge them again in December. Then I start pre spawn walleye fishing in February. Temps where I live rarely get below 0 F and I don't think acid will freeze if the battery is charged.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

Nope,they should be and are in a battery box!

Ever have to clean a cup of acid out of a battery box? Ever try to pull out a leaking battery while not dripping asid all over the deck or seats?

The owner's manuals, boat books and maintenance guides all say remove the battery. Not doing so is just lazy.

Mine are checked monthly. When the voltage drops below 12.4 I charge it with an auto charger. If it goes below about 12.2 volts in a month I get rid of it.

PM means knowing when to buy new parts.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Winterizing - storing you battery in the boat

Ever have to clean a cup of acid out of a battery box? Ever try to pull out a leaking battery while not dripping asid all over the deck or seats?

The owner's manuals, boat books and maintenance guides all say remove the battery. Not doing so is just lazy.

Mine are checked monthly. When the voltage drops below 12.4 I charge it with an auto charger. If it goes below about 12.2 volts in a month I get rid of it.

Well,geeze....dunno about your area,but regulation is that they have to be in a box around here. And besides,ya take the box out with the battery,no drips /spills in the boat. I don't apreciate being called lazy,and yes I keep my boats in top condition,if it won't hold a charge in the spring it was on it's way out anyway,yes I test them spring/fall. Captain Lazy signing off,
Grub