Who stores their Batteries in the boat all winter?

timemachine

timemachine

Member
Jul 11, 2009
403
Watch Hill, RI
Boat Info
2005 48 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins 530HO
Last year I left them in the boat and ran the charger for a day or two at least once a month or so and they were fine this summer. I use to take them out but my back can't take it any longer. thoughts?
 
I do the same thing now, I use take them out but I don't think it is worth it. I just buy new batteries every three years. My old boat I used AGM batteries in but I can't justify the cost today...
 
I'm leaving mine in this year for the first time. I have always taken out and stored them at home, and then I would charge them once a month. But like you, my back can't take it anymore, so I'm going to try leaving them in. I put water in them today, and fully charged them. So we'll see come spring.

Do you leave the batteries hooked up? I'm thinking of disconnecting them, once the boat is high and dry.
 
I leave them in, but I have a bilge heater.
 
Im going to leave them connected with a shore power cord ready to go so all I have to do is plug the cord in once a month.
 
I leave them connected and the only breaker I leave on is the charger, I keep cord "1" pluged in on the boat side and keep the other end coiled up on the swim platform just inside the shrink wrap door for easy access every few weeks.
 
Larry said:
I leave them connected and the only breaker I leave on is the charger, I keep cord "1" pluged in on the boat side and keep the other end coiled up on the swim platform just inside the shrink wrap door for easy access every few weeks.
Click to expand...

In previous years I've kept the boat plugged in all winter with the chargers on, batteries have been fine. I'm moving marinas this winter and they won't allow it to be plugged in while the boat is unattended so I will be taking the same approach you do Larry, plugging it in every few weeks when I go down there.
 
This is our first year with the 300DA ... it has an electrically operated engine hatch with no obvious way to open the hatch manually. I think I have no choice but to leave the batteries in the boat and connected. (If anyone knows the recommended process for my situation then please set me straight)

-Charlie
 
Last edited:
Will be leaving mine in. Since my onboard duel charger died, I've replaced it with two smart charger/maintainers. Will plug in system to charge a few days every month or so. Hope there not so cold as to they wont charge. Come Jan I'll most likely be out there checking. ...Ron
 
charlieft said:
This is our first year with the 300DA ... it has an electrically operated engine hatch with no obvious way to open the hatch manually. I think I have no choice but to leave the batteries in the boat and connected. (If anyone knows the recommended process for my situation then please set me straight)

-Charlie
Click to expand...

You can still disconnect the batteries if you have a portable auto starter battery with lighter plug. Just plug the starter pack into one of the lighter plugs and lift away!

Henry
 
I leave mine in. Batteries last the longer in cold weather than warm, as long as they are charged. I dont see the sense in taking them out to keep them warm only to shorten their life. It's not about the temperature but rather keeping them charged.
 
I leave mine in all winter long, and don't "usually" even charge them. I have Optima batteries (blue top), and before ya'll call bull on me, they are six years old. This is the second boat I have transfered them to. Funny I keep my batteries longer than the boats I've bought. I think one of them is failing now. I'll replace it and keep going. I think there may be something about the realitively mild winters here in N.C.
 
My boat batteries--I make sure they are fully charged and just disconnect them just like I do in my inflatable and car battery before I leaave for six months.
 
I've never taken them out of any boat I've owned. I've never charged them during the 6 months the boats have been stored both in cold storage and heated. All I do is put the boat away with fully charged batteries. I used to keep the water levels up and the terminals clean when flooded cells were the norm. This approach did not seem to detract from service. 4 plus years on flooded cells before trouble started. I don't know what the life of the gel cells is as they show no signs of slowing down after 5 years.
 
I leave mine in--always have with shore power and charger always on. Main reason I do it is because we spend time on the boat during the Winter months. I've gone virtually 4 seasons with my batteries in a 300 DA and would have changed them this year if I had not fleeted up and bought a 340 DA.
 
In the North country, once the boat is high and dry, I pull the batteries, service them, charge them and put them in my heated garage. Batteries don't last long at -20f if left in the boat.

If you do leave them in the boat, disconnect them (except for the charger).
 
Leave em in. We did that for 8 years and never had a problem. The key as people have said is make sure they go to sleep with a full charge and just shut the main switches off. I guess when they lose their charge they are more likely to freeze and do damage? Usually have enough juice to turn the lights on a few times over the winter to check things and roughly 10-11 volts come spring.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,274
Messages
1,429,831
Members
61,147
Latest member
Boudica
Back
Top