I want to pull my batteries for winter storage. Will I be able to use the factory jumper cables with a battery pack to lower the hatch after the batts are pulled? Or do the batteries need to be in place to "complete the circuit"...so to speak?

2006 Lightning BTW.

well its gonna be easy to test out....open the hatch...un-hook the batteries and try out your jumpers to try and close the hatch! you'll find out right quick if it works!

My jumper cables go directly to 1 of the batterys. If anything, you could simple bolt the cable ends together from both the jumper leads and the main power cables.

yes.

So your jumper cables go to a switch instead of the battery then?

You can use the jumper cables, but you need to "connect" the negative post wires (at the battery) together with a bolt/nut, otherwise ... nothing happens! Don't remember if you need to turn the switch on or not, but I do know you need to connect those wires together!

Uh, Take the bolt out of the ram and put a strap in. And It wont matter.

Just leave them in the boat, and give them a charge or two over the winter.

I won't be able to touch them during the winter layup if I leave them in. I guess no harm in giving them a full charge now and then see where we are in the spring. I wasn't sure how much I shorten their lifespan by leaving them in there during the winter freeze.

I tie the negative battery cables on the port side together with one of the battery box posts and then turn port battery switch to both. Works fine. (1997 35 Lightening)