Pull or not to pull the battery’s?

[threejays]

I'm being told by many people to just disconnect the batterys for the season? Michigan winters are pretty cold and my gut tells me to pull them.. whats you thoughts?

Thanks,


Jon

 

[dpmulvey]

What type of storage. Indoor temp controlled or outdoor shrink wrapped? If indoors, winterize and turn off the switched. If outside, winterize and remove.

 

[Henry Boyd]

I (and my neighbors) have been charging the batteries and leaving them in the boat for the past several years of New England winters.

Keep in mind batteries have to come out after the boat is out of the water. That means lifting them out of the ER, moving them down a step ladder, and then to your car. From the car car to your basement, and back again.
During that time you risk:
Back injury,
spilled acid on you, your car, or your house,
dropped battery requiring replacement.

If fully charged, and disconnected, your batteries will be safe on the boat.

Henry

 

[CV-23]

I agree with Henry but do disconnect them from the battery cables! My Mercathode system is before the battery shutoff switch and will drain the batteries and then they will freeze. Ask me how I know this, Mike.

 

[Madifonzo]

I am pulling this year but didn't last year. I want to give the bilge a good cleaning and having them out of the way is easier. Last season I left them in the boat and connected all year. I won't do that again because it's risky to burn them up.m

 

[Lazy Daze]

If leaving them in, they need to be fully charged and then disconnect the negative cable(s). Or, if you have a good onboard charger and access to electricity, then leave them on the charger full time. But you really should be able to access the boat to check the fluid level a few times (if 24/7 charging). Otherwise, pull them out and take them home. Being on a charge 24/7 is the best thing you can do for a battery, but the other methods are fine, too.

 

[magstang1]

I have the same boat in the same area. I have been leaving mine in for the last couple seasons. Outside, shrink wrapped, I let the charger top them off, disconnect them and clean the tops of the batteries.

My battery sits in my car and tractor all winter long. I don't see why the boat is any different.

 

[dpmulvey]

I have the same boat in the same area. I have been leaving mine in for the last couple seasons. Outside, shrink wrapped, I let the charger top them off, disconnect them and clean the tops of the batteries.

My battery sits in my car and tractor all winter long. I don't see why the boat is any different.

Cars and therefore the batteries get used frequently. Can't speak for tractors.

 

[280DA]

I (and my neighbors) have been charging the batteries and leaving them in the boat for the past several years of New England winters.

Keep in mind batteries have to come out after the boat is out of the water. That means lifting them out of the ER, moving them down a step ladder, and then to your car. From the car car to your basement, and back again.
During that time you risk:
Back injury,
spilled acid on you, your car, or your house,
dropped battery requiring replacement.

If fully charged, and disconnected, your batteries will be safe on the boat.

Henry

+1.

-45 F here during January and no problem with the batteries..... Make sure that you have 12.6 V..... And peace in the valley

 

[Jeremygavin]

I have AGM batteries, I have always removed them but it is a real PITA. 4 large group 31s in and out of the bilge is a hassle. I can't disconnect the batteries because the hatch has to go down before the shrink wrap goes on. I have been thinking about leaving them in the boat this year with the charger on. I have access to AC power all winter. Is my 2005 battery charger considered good enough to leave it on all winter? Should I disconnect the mercathode so it isn't on all winter?

 

[Banagy]

I have AGM'S store in unheated pole barn. Leave the charger on all winter. Also have a Boat safe heater plugged. No problems four years.

 

[Henry Boyd]

I have AGM batteries, I have always removed them but it is a real PITA. 4 large group 31s in and out of the bilge is a hassle. I can't disconnect the batteries because the hatch has to go down before the shrink wrap goes on. I have been thinking about leaving them in the boat this year with the charger on. I have access to AC power all winter. Is my 2005 battery charger considered good enough to leave it on all winter? Should I disconnect the mercathode so it isn't on all winter?

If you have a 12 volt jump box you can feed 12 volts into the system by via the "cigar" lighter outlet with the batteries disconnected. That will Llow you to lower and raise the hatch.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Jeremygavin]

If you have a 12 volt jump box you can feed 12 volts into the system by via the "cigar" lighter outlet with the batteries disconnected. That will Llow you to lower and raise the hatch.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Henry,
Thanks for the info. In the past I have hooked up an old wet cell battery i had that wouldn't hold much of a charge and turned on the charger to get enough volts to raise the hatch. My real concern is the hassle of taking the AGMs out and outing the wet cell in. In the end I don't want to degrade my charger or $1000 worth of battery's to get out of 30 min of hard work.