Pull batteries or keep the shore power plugged in

Mike sandor

Active Member
Jul 28, 2017
175
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Boat Info
2007 320 Sundancer
Twin 496. Bravo 3
2018 3500 Chevy, Loadmaster trailer
Raymarine Axiom, Quantum 2
Engines
496 Mercruiser/Bravo III drives
apreciate advice on the following. I will store my 320 in a pole barn. I have the ability to plug in the shore power through out the winter. Are there any negatives regarding this? Towards the end of this season, i just replaced all 4 batteries, they are wet cell.
 
I make sure the water levels are all good, leave the batteries in the boat, and plug into shore power. Battery charger on all winter... no problem.
 
If the space is not heated, I would keep plugged in to run the heater(s) and maintain the batteries. (this is what I have done for the past 11 years - we are wet slipped year around)
 
I'd personally put them away fully charged and disconnected, not plugged in. Less risk of cooked batteries and other unpleasant things that can happen when boats are left unattended for extended periods.
 
I'd personally put them away fully charged and disconnected, not plugged in. Less risk of cooked batteries and other unpleasant things that can happen when boats are left unattended for extended periods.
I was considering this option as well. Question, once the batteries are disconnected, can you plug in the shore power to raise and lower the hatch assuming you have the cables secure as to not ground out?
 
I was considering this option as well. Question, once the batteries are disconnected, can you plug in the shore power to raise and lower the hatch assuming you have the cables secure as to not ground out?
I don't think that will work... smart chargers must see a battery present to be able to output charge voltage. I'm not sure a charger would have enough current to raise the hatch anyway.
 
Leave mine plugged in on lift. Have cabin heater in cabin and bilge heater in bilge set for 34 degrees. Been doing this since 2005 with no issues. First boat was a 2 banks of 2 batteries and the current is 1 bank of 2 and 1 bank of 3. Has worked out well for me.
 
I was considering this option as well. Question, once the batteries are disconnected, can you plug in the shore power to raise and lower the hatch assuming you have the cables secure as to not ground out?

No, the charger has no reserve power, just flatline power to charge. You can usually open the hatch with a jump box plugged into the cigarette lighter on both the boat and the jump box.

MM
 
On the 260da, I physically disconnected the batteries and used another battery with pigtail to backfired into the 12v outlet to raise/lower the hatch.

On the 44da, I just turn off the batteries from the switch.

Neither have power while on the hard and seem fine.
 
Put away fully charged. Turn off all switches. No shore power or charger. You will be fine in April, May or June. You can add Shore power in spring when waxing the boat, but even if you don't, the power to crank the engines will be there.
 
I used to pull the batteries. Too darn heavy. So I stopped. Now leave in boat, fully charged and disconnected. Come spring I connect and plug the shore power to run the charger and top them off. No real difference.
 
I shut the batteries off at the switches and walk away until spring. My boat yard doesn't let you leave things plugged in overnight
 
If you leave them connected, then you should leave the charger on in case you have any stray load that will draw them down (even with the switches off) But should check them over the winter a few times to check water levels so they won't boil dry. The problem is that voltage drops when batteries get cold and the charger will probably be kicking in and cycling over winter, even with no actual power draw.

My vote is for fully charged, disconnected, and left in the boat though. 25 years of doing that with no issues.
 
Mine are always in the boat, connected, and charger turned on once or twice a month for a day or so.
Nice to have 12 volt power when playing around inside the boat in the winter.
 
I do this, too. Although I am not a fan of plugging in the boat when it’s been a hard freeze for a while. Charging frozen batteries is not good for them.
 

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