Storing batteries for the winter?
#1
Both of my boats have new smart battery chargers. The Sea Ray has they kind that will even equalize the charge going to each bank. If I can keep the battery chargers plugged i for the winter and connected to the batteries, Is there any point in removing them from the boat and putting them in the basement? What do others do and if you leave them on the boat, what kind of battery charger do you have?
#3
Back when I had a boat that the batteries were easy to pull, and the boat was statically stored outside; I would pull them and put them inside stored on wood, (not on concrete) with trickle chargers attached. The last few years, I have just left them in the boat, and plugged the boat in for about a week a month to keep them topped off.
#6
Registered
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 922
Likes: 128
From: Hemlock, MI
Same here. Plenty of voltage when spring hit this year with (2)4 and (2)6 year old batteries. I can't unhook my batteries AND open/close my hatch without great effort. Thing is too friggin heavy. If they are dead in spring, plug in onboard charger until hatch will open.
Last edited by Gimme Fuel; 09-17-2018 at 02:23 PM.
#7
Registered

Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,008
Likes: 752
From: Traverse City, Michigan
Battery switches to OFF
Remove cables from batteries
Clean the batteries with baking soda/water solution
Top them off if they are fillable
Charge them then put the charger away
Leave them in boat and forget about them until spring.
Doing this for 30 plus years in a northern climate and the boat stored cold. Batteries replaced appx. every seven years.
Remove cables from batteries
Clean the batteries with baking soda/water solution
Top them off if they are fillable
Charge them then put the charger away
Leave them in boat and forget about them until spring.
Doing this for 30 plus years in a northern climate and the boat stored cold. Batteries replaced appx. every seven years.
#9
Registered
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,825
Likes: 612
From: Clarkston, Michigan
It's too cold here in Michigan and my batteries come into the basement. I pull the batteries out of 3 Mustangs, the lawn tractor and the boat. 6 batteries come indoors every winter to extend the life of them.






