Keeping batteries onboard for winter

ustas2000 · **Joined:** Sun Oct 28, 2012 5:35 pm **Posts:** 7

Do you really need to remove batteries from a boat for winter. Could you keep them on board, just disconnecting them?

EvilZ · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2012 1:38 pm

Where do you live?

I leave mine installed and connected all winter, but we don't need to winterize....

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2012 1:40 pm

Like Evilz stated, depends where you live. Cold climates are not good on batteries if they just sit. Come spring, you will have no juice. Removed and on a trickle charger ensure they will last.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2012 1:53 pm

I live in a cold climate and have had no issues just turning the batteries off and leaving them connected all winter.

We will see if that works with my 318...although I am already planning on replacing the batteries in the spring since they would be on their 5th season.

ustas2000 · **Joined:** Sun Oct 28, 2012 5:35 pm **Posts:** 7

I live in Ontario, Canada. Could be rather cold here. Last year I left my batteries disconnected and they survived. Now I have second thoughts...

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:55 pm

This is one of those subjects that will elicit a lot of different responses/tips/suggestions. I have always removed the battery from whatever machine I am planning on storing long term, be it a boat, tractor, motorcycle, car, or lawnmower. And I agree with firecadet too, I have seen batteries last a long time just sitting in the machine. But if your batteries are reasonably accessible, why not? At best, you won't have to worry about it in spring, at worst, ya gotta lug em outta the boat.

ustas2000 · **Joined:** Sun Oct 28, 2012 5:35 pm **Posts:** 7

I am convinced.Will remove the batteries this winter.
Thank you all for advising me on that matter.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:35 pm

Batteries are expensive... Remove into a climate controlled garage and put on a smart charger. If it's a dumb trickle it will fry a battery after a few weeks. I keep my car on one of the 1.25A model since I drive it once month.
http://batterytender.com/

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:59 pm

ric wrote:

Batteries are expensive... Remove into a climate controlled garage and put on a smart charger. If it's a dumb trickle it will fry a battery after a few weeks. I keep my car on one of the 1.25A model since I drive it once month.
http://batterytender.com/

Good point....I'm old, so trickle charger is my word for them new fangled battery tender thingys. :lol:

Decision · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:36 pm

I live in Ontario, Canada as well. Boat from May until early October each year. I use to remove our boat batteries and bring them back to our home and charge them once or twice in the winter. I have not bothered for the last 8 years or so.

Our marina that winterizes and stores a heck of a lot of boats only disconnects the ground and leaves them in their respective boats for the winter. Their take is, if the battery can not hold a charge till spring then it needs replacing. Otherwise it should be fine.

I make sure our three boat batteries are charged before they are disconnected and I have not had a problem come spring.

On a different note, I have an older Mustang that I also place in cold storage in November and I leave the battery in. I do visit the Mustang over the winter and will sometimes check its voltage. It really does not drop much.

If I really thought the batteries needed to be removed, I would remove them.

My 2 cents worth.

Mike.

acguy · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2012 9:08 pm

Interesting....i have always removed my batteries until this year, . My last boat i had 1 die after 3.5 yrs and left it on a smart charger all winter it was an interstate marine deep cycle

Paul I. · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2012 9:09 pm

It also depends on the type of battery. A wet cell yes. I use AGM that are good to -50 and I leave them in with out charging them.

Alan_G_298Vista · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2012 9:45 pm

Our boat goes into heated indoor storage for the winter months. I make sure the batteries are fully charged before it goes into storage I leave the batteries in place and disconect all the negative terminals, no issues in the spring.

erie cruiser · **Joined:** Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:40 am **Posts:** 68

Our marina does not remove any batteries from any of the boats they store over the winter, just disconnect the ground and they are good to go in the spring.

Wylie_Tunes · **Joined:** Mon Oct 01, 2012 10:21 am **Posts:** 176

Ustas2000,

If a battery is maintained at a proper voltage level, it will survive a cold winters nap. If you have a multi-stage smart charger and access to power where the boat is kept, you would not need to pull the batteries.

www.iFourWinns.com

Keeping batteries onboard for winter

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