Battery hookup during storage

[Cleach]

I have a 2006 SeaRay 320. It has two banks of 2 batteries for 4 total. What is the best way to store the batteries. I was thinking about disconnecting 3 of the batteries and only leaving one house battery connected with an external solar charger on it. I need at least one battery connected to operate my deck hatch.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[boatrboy]

Read my replies on 13 and 14…

I leave my batteries in the boat but just disconnect them so nothing draws on them.

Engine Hatch?

Have problems with my charger end of last year after installing 4 new batteries. I installed 4 new ones, but they quickly died by the end of season. My questions are 1. How do I get the hatch open on a 1999 340 dancer. Can jump it from the helm locker? 2. Are my batteries done?

clubsearay.com

 

[Jus Cruisin]

I leave mine connected all winter. I just turn off the battery toggles in the cabin. I have 110v access so I plug the boat in when I'm at the marina to charge them.

 

[brewster16]

Read my replies on 13 and 14…

I leave my batteries in the boat but just disconnect them so nothing draws on them.

Engine Hatch?

Have problems with my charger end of last year after installing 4 new batteries. I installed 4 new ones, but they quickly died by the end of season. My questions are 1. How do I get the hatch open on a 1999 340 dancer. Can jump it from the helm locker? 2. Are my batteries done?

clubsearay.com

and mine too....reply #16

 

[Creekwood]

I have a 2006 SeaRay 320. It has two banks of 2 batteries for 4 total. What is the best way to store the batteries. I was thinking about disconnecting 3 of the batteries and only leaving one house battery connected with an external solar charger on it. I need at least one battery connected to operate my deck hatch.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

I disconnect the positive side on all batteries through the winter. You can open/close the hatch by backfeeding power through the 12v cigarette lighter using a jumper cable.

Sea Ray provided a 12v plug and wires with new boats to allow you to push power back through your 12v systems using the cigarette lighter port (now called a 12v outlet, I guess). That wire gets lost or misplaced by many boaters since its only used a couple times a year (or maybe not at all if you don't winterize or dewinterrize yourself).

So here is the one that I made for my boat. Simple. I used 12 gauge wire and made this from parts bought at an auto supply store. I made it long so I can run from the 12v socket over the seats into the battery bank that is under the seat in the rear cockpit, but your boat may be set up differently. Its also long enough that I could run it over the side to batteries on the ground if I had taken them out of the boat when I wanted to close the hatch.

 

[Cleach]

Great!! Thanks.

 

[b_arrington]

I used to plug in to shore power from time to time and let the on-board battery charger take care of things. If you can do this it's a great way to go. This year the new marina owner is strictly prohibiting ANY use of their 110AC outlets.

So I'm doing 2 things. I got a small-ish solar panel and have connected them the batteries. During the deep winter there wasn't enough sun, plus the position of the boat wasn't optimal. So I connected a small generator to the batteries via the shore power cord.

 

[Cleach]

Thanks.