Battery upkeep/charging while in dry rack storage

[ChicagoSammo]

I did a quick search and didn't find anything so I am clearly going to ask a really dumb question.
I am about to purchase a 270 Sundeck, it will be based in Venice, Fla and spend most of it's time in dry rack storage as we will only be available to take it out one weekend a month at most.
What is the best thing to do in order to keep their batteries in good shape?
I don't really want to remove them and cart them home to be on a battery tender after every use if there is a easier option.
Are there solar powered battery chargers that would do the job and that anyone can recommend? (whilst the storage racks are roofed the sides and ends are open).

 

[JBFins22]

Over the winter I use a Deltran 4 bank battery tender for my 3 boat batteries and one of my cars. They sell a solar kit that would keep them topped off. http://www.batterytender.com/Solar/ Sounds like a perfect tool for rack storage. My only question is: Is there sufficient sun? GL

 

[Steve195]

Assuming you have decent batteries, I can't imagine that you'll have any problem retaining a charge for a month or so while it sits in the dry-rack. I doubt you'd need any kind of charger at all.

 

[dpmulvey]

I was on the ground floor of my rack storage with my Regal 2465. I left her plugged in to shore power via a 15 to 30 amp adapter. Do you have that option?

If not, I would recommend high power AGM batteries and cutting all power while in the rack.

 

[Lazy Daze]

You should have no issues leaving it just as it is. There's a few things that will continue to draw power, even when the battery switch is off, but they don't amount to much on your boat. You could pull the negative cables off and that would eliminate all parasitic draw, if you wanted to do that each time. But just about any solar charger will do the job, just keep it under 7 watts, or so, and you won't need a controller. NPower has some decent stuff that is inexpensive. Use a small gauge wire to connect both batteries together. DO NOT use alligator clips -- possible spark = possible BOOM. Use ring terminals to make the connections. Stepping up from these inexpensive ones, the Battery Tender listed above is a very good product. Another step up is the Battery Minder products as they also offer desulphation.

 

[JimT]

You might consider this

http://www.prioritystart.com/marine.php

 

[ChicagoSammo]

Cheers all - Sounds like I won't really have an issue but I can always fit a solar powered tender if needs be.