Leaving the batteries in for the winter

[bob]

My wife made arrangements to have our boat (240 DA) shrinkwrapped in our driveway Friday of last week. (Mobile shrinkwrapping is popular as not many marinas have winter storage in our part of New England.) So, what happens is the wrapping service shows up a day early while both of us were away from home. Now that would normally be fine except we hadn't finished winterizing the boat prior to storage. As one of the last items I had planned to remove the batteries, but now one of the vertical frames that supports the overhead bow is resting on the engine room hatch. They did put in a zippered "door" on the side of the boat for internal access.

My deliema is should I try to remove the upright 2x4 to gain access to the engine hatch? Part of me worries I may lose the stiffness of the shrinkwrap material once I re-install it.

Should I leave in the batteries over the winter? They were fully charged prior to pulling the boat out of our slip. The battery selector switch was turned off once the boat was towed home, but we did lower it for a day to let the water completely drain out of the lower unit and our boat mechanic "pickled" the engine for the winter. I was under the impression that a battery could freeze only if it lost its charge, so what are the chances there's some "dark current" that could slowly drain the battery?

Any suggestions?

 

[Beer Thirty]

I'd wait till someone else chimes in but at this point id say just leave it and charge it in the spring.

 

[Zorba]

Is there a battery charger on the boat? Is it possible for you to plug the shore power in and refresh the charge on your batteries over the winter?

 

[douglee25]

I would just leave them on personally if they're fully charged. The freezing temp of a fully charged led acid battery is around -92 degrees F. If you decide to remove them, you could always shim bottom side of the vertical support to make the shrink tight again.

Doug

 

[Fetch ND]

I typically leave my batteries in the boat & elec. golf cart - But I make sure they are fully charged - I do think they would last longer if you put them inside a warm place - but your lucky to get 3 to 5 yrs on any battery (even if ideally maintained) but it's too much hassle & work - as far as starting batteries, I usually get a new one every year (for Boat) & give the 1 yr old battery to one of my kids or their spouses or wife & I etc. (for their vehicles) & I carry one of those battery car jumpers in all my vehicles) & everyone up here has the best longest jumper cables & a good charger / starter & a block heater :smt101 Up here everything in Murphy's Law book happens when it's 30 below or colder :smt009

Oh & I only buy the biggest 1000 CC amp battery :smt089

 

[AndersonAcres]

First year with our 250 I pulled all 3 batteries. What a pain. The second year I left them in, making sure they were fully charged. That was last winter which was a very cold winter. They made it through just fine.

So, from my limited experience, I'd say leave them in and don't risk damaging a nice shrink-wrap job.

 

[Bodkin Creek George]

Leave them in and if they are over 3yrs old pitch them.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Not only do I leave the batteries in, I leave the boat plugged in 24/7 while on the trailer next to the garage. My charger, a three phase, provides a trickle charge and so far, the past two years, no water has been required to be added.

 

[Half Off]

I leave mine in the boat fully charged but I do disconnect them to prevent anything from drawing them down.