Pull the batteries?

[Dave Tully]

I usually pull my batteries out of my boat and trailer during the winter. Was wondering if I'm wasting my time or is it good practice? My fishing buddy who is a Charger-owner (I don't hold that against him) says I'm wasting my time. I searched the "winterize" category and couldn't find anything on this. What do you all think?

 

[Andrew Zuber]

I'd say it depends on two things:

1. If you will be storing the boat in below-freezing conditions, it's probably good to pull the batteries.

2. If you don't plan on putting any kind of trickle or maintenance charge on the batteries, I'd probably pull them.

just my 2 cents worth.



az

 

[Jeff Griffeth]

If you have them on a Guest charger, is it alright to leave them in freezing conditions? Or should you pull them and the charger out and hook up inside?

 

[Mark Hofman]

Dave, I'm in Missouri too. I'd recommend pulling them and storing them inside your house sitting on a couple of 2x4s.



The research I did on winterizing said that moving the batteries inside if there is a chance of freezing is a good thing. You can always hook them up to a charger a couple of days before your first trip of the season to top off the charge.



(Oh, and remember to hook ALL the wires up before you launch the boat. I forgot to hook the big black wire from the outboard up the first time, and couldn't figure out why my motor wouldn't turn over. The other folks on the boat ramp got a good laugh out of it.)

 

[Matt Erickson]

Jeff,



My belief is that any batteries that is NOT a dry cell will not perform to its capacity either charging or discharging in sub-freezing conditions. It is recommended that they are to be removed from the boat and store in the garage, and keep them maintained with a trickle charger to prolong its servicable life. I had seen a battery blowing up in the bilge due to severe freezing, and most corrosible materials within its acidic contact were ruined, i.e. bilge pump, fittings, etc. and the clean-up/repair not only painstaking, costly, but dangerous. Same thing will happen under extreme heat condition, especially when not vented and stressed by rapid discharge or charging. Good luck!



That same rule applies to collectible vehicles and motorcycles.



- valky

 

[Staci Matheis]

Remove them.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

I always do, but we get well sub zero temps for much of the winter!

 

[Mike L.]

Dave I remove my batteries from my boat in late October,

give them a full charge, and put them in my basement. Early January I give them a quick charge for a few hours and then they go back in the boat in early April.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Be sure when you store them to put them on plastic or wood or some insulator. Putting batteries directly on the ground or concrete allows them to discharge through their casing and will shorten the life of the battery. FYI

 

[Justin Arellano]

Rob,

I believe you're mistaken when you say that batteries will discharge if set on concrete. I am only basing my opinion on the information I have attained from one website though. Anyone concerned about their batteries should check out this site. It's very informative.

www.geocities.com/bjb_darden/dcfaq.htm



Justin A.

 

[Tom Mann]

Rob is right! If you want to be in the market for a new battery come spring, leave them on concrete all winter. I don't know the "why" but it destroys a battery sure as anything!

T

 

[Mike L.]

Nice battery site find Justin.

Rob..I keep mine off the floor up on an old workbench just in case for the reason you stated, especially if you have a wet or very damp basement/garage floor.



This is an excert from the material found at that site:



WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MYTHS ABOUT BATTERIES?

10.1. Storing a battery on a concrete floor will discharge them.



A hundred years ago when battery cases were made of porous materials, such as wood, storing batteries on concrete floors would accelerate their discharge. Modern battery cases, made of polypropylene or hard rubber, which are better sealed, so external leakage, causing discharge, is no longer a problem. However, the top of the battery must be clean and dry. Temperature stratification within large batteries could accelerate the internal

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

T-Mann,



Welcome back fellow Nebraskan, where you been????? I coulda sure used your help more than once..



TOXIC

 

[Marke Cicero]

I agree with Justin. I've heard the old batteries on concrete is a myth. If the batteries are leaking acid and the acid runs down the side of the battery and makes contact with the ground then they can discharge. A new battery that is clean can sit on the basement floor with no problems.



Marke

 

[Bob G.]

FYI, I leave my batteries in the boat all year. I disconnect everything except for the on-board charger for the deep cycle batteries. I charge all three batteries once per month during the six months of winter. My current batteries are 3 seasons old and came new with the boat.

I have heard that the main reason that batteries discharge on concrete has more to do with dirt and crud building up on top of the battery and creating a high resistive path between the terminals.



Bob G.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

All I know is when I ran sporting goods at Wal-Mart, I often had to fill in for the auto mgr. When the batteries came in they were shipped from the mfr with direct instructions not to let them sit on the floor. In fact they even supplied a rack to put them on that was insulated. One time the rack was full and they had to put about 2 dozen batteries on the floor over winter, come spring we had to write them all off because they wouldn't hold a charge. Better to be safe then sorry. A piece of wood is free, a new battery is $65-$100...... just my .02

 

[Tom Mann]

I'll check with you guys in the Spring!

I always store my batteries in a Rubbermaid Storage container on a shelf in the basement. Saves my jeans when I'm lugging them around.

If anyone is planning on storing theirs on concrete, let us know how it goes in the Spring!LOL

T

Toxic, yeah I know I've been awol lately. Been real busy at work. Sounds like we have a lot of TRUE-FRESHMEN making a difference for our Huskers! We'll be seeing them for 3 more seasons!

 

[Bob G.]

I forgot to add that I top off the batteries with distilled water at the beginning and end of the season.



Bob G.

 

[Spanky P]

A gallon of distilled water is cheap $$$$. A small home made wooden battery skid is cheap $$$$. A small 2/10 amp automatic battery charger is cheap $$$$. You could probably use the charger anyway if you don't have one.



Pull your batteries, leave the onboard charger mounted in the boat.



My $.O2 worth