How do you close the hatch once the batteries are removed?

[Vince_nj1]

My marina wants all of my batteries removed for winter storage. It occured to me that I lift hatch with hydaulic motors which run off of the batteries. So when I remove the batteries how do I close the hatch?

Will shore power/AC convertor power the motors? :huh:

 

[gerryb]

Our dealer plugs an external battery/jumper pack into the cigarette lighter port (DC accessory). We have one of these - purchased from Costco. No better way to jump-start a car or provide external dc power to things like a nintendo ds. Ours even has an air compressor built in as well as an LED light.

 

[aquadancer]

I also use the 12V pigtail with a jumper back. Works well for closing/opening hatch once batteries are disconnected.

 

[jg300da]

Will shore power/AC convertor power the motors? :huh:

Yes, but you'll have to tape off the positive battery leads. Or you could leave the batteries on board. Cold weather is not detrimental to the batteries. Some marinas want the batteries removed so they can charge a storage/recharge fee per battery.

 

[wingless]

Batteries should be kept fully charged to maximize service life.

Idle batteries loose about 10% state of charge per month, more in warmer temperatures.

When batteries reach about 50% state of charge and lower the rate of sulfation increases. Sulfation is permanent damage that decreases battery capacity.

Mine are stored w/ the batteries at float voltage of 13.8 VDC to maximize life. If maintained at float voltage the electrolyte level must be checked periodically.

The 380DA has side hatches that are manually removed, permitting power closing of the engine hatch, then the batteries. I've also pulled the clevis pin and manually lowered the engine hatch onto 2x4s to keep the hatch ajar. (When is the hatch not a hatch? When it's a jar.)

 

[Vince_nj1]

Thanks for the feedback.. I bought the boat used and I dont have any of the parts mentioned, but now I know what I need.