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Winter storage for deep cycle batteries

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/01/2009 : 18:41:01

Seems to be common knowledge that it is best to keep boat batteries above freezing and fully charged in the off season. Anyone aware of a truly automatic charger to achieve this?

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2009 : 21:47:15

If your boat is close to shore power, a light bulb in the battery compartment is sufficient to keep the air above freezing. There are numerous small battery chargers on the market that claim to be automatic. I use one that I bought at sports Academy for about $25.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 11/02/2009 : 09:52:11

Steve/Dave,
I've been taking the batteries home to charge and monitor their condition. I check the water (mineral free)regularly and charge with a Sears Automatic deep cycle 6 and 12 volt, 2 to 10 amp charger set at 12 volts/2 amp. The batteries are Cosco best marine deep cycle lead acid types and are 5 years in service.

Val on Calista, #3936 Patchogue, N.Y.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 11/02/2009 : 12:13:45

I always left my boats plugged in all winter on their trailer. I never had a problem because the onboard marine charger handled the batteries. I told my friend last winter that we could simply come to the club once a month and top her batteries off with a charger and they would be fine; we didn't, they weren't. If you are worried, take them out and home. I doubt they will discharge much over the winter if they are inside and warm.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/02/2009 : 13:49:13

Yeah, it gets a wee bit cold here in Pittsburgh to leave the batteries onboard. Wow, Val, you seem to have an effective formula going there! I forget the brand name but the charger I bought had a large "AUTOMATIC" sticker on he front of it . . . it was anything but automatic!

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/02/2009 : 19:30:45

The one I bought is a Vector charger, just under $30. It's got electronic circuitry and does step down automatically to a trickle charge.

http://www.amazon.com/12-Volt-Battery-Charger-Amp/dp/B0000TX7VA/ref=pd_sbs_auto_19

Edited by - dmpilc on 11/02/2009 19:34:18

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3462 Posts

Response Posted - 11/02/2009 : 21:37:45

I don't know exactly what you do with your boat in the off season but another possibility that depends on probably too many "If's" is: 1) If you keep your boat at your house during the off season, 2) If you have shore power installed on your boat - You may want to consider getting a charger that you can install in your boat and then it can also be used during the sailing season when staying at a marina overnight and using shore power. In the off season, you could then use it from your house to charge the battery but would have to string an extension cord to the boat , otherwise, remove the batteries and charge in the garage.

I generally sail all year-round except when temps drop a bit below 40F. So, my batteries are always onboard. They are now at least ~5 years old and get charged via my 20 watt solar panel (another option for you to consider) but I also installed a battery charger that automatically kicks on when shore power is on - I mainly installed it for the times when at a marina and utilizing the cabin lights, fans and/or my radio via the batteries for long periods.

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glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2009 : 08:45:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">[i] 1) If you keep your boat at your house during the off season, 2) If you have shore power installed on your boat - You may want to consider getting a charger that you can install in your boat and then it can also be used during the sailing season when staying at a marina overnight and using shore power. In the off season, you could then use it from your house to charge the battery but would have to string an extension cord to the boat

That works for us even in the cold Michigan winter

. I don’t have the boat plugged into shore power all the time, but I will plug her in for a few hours on the weekends. This has done a good job keeping the batteries charged.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5369 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2009 : 17:34:10

Last winter, I kept my single Group 24 conventional lead acid battery on Passage all winter long so that when I worked on her, I could turn on the inside lights and listen to the radio. I have two 15W solar panels with a regulator that keeps the battery topped up.

All this summer, the battery has held up well under normal usage for the depth sounder, the VHF, the navigation lights, the FM radio and occasionally to charge my laptop batteries. As far as I can tell, the battery has maintained its full charge/discharge capacity.

I could imagine that if I did not keep it continually topped up, and if the battery were discharged to 50% and remained there for several weeks in the cold, that could ruin the battery.

I'm hoping to get another 2-3 seasons out of it.

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Deric
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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2009 : 18:47:10

Dave,

Thanks for the tip on the charger. The timing of the information is perfect. My last charger died and is on the way to the landfill.

Best,
Deric

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Even Chance
Captain

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USA
393 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2009 : 15:24:02

I take mine off the boat and keep them in a warm space at home, fully charged.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2009 : 07:52:06

Thanks again for all the advice.

Here's what I selected.

Purchased it for $31 for Advanced Auto Parts.

http://store.schumachermart.com/se-1-12s.html

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.