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Posts: 388
Location: Northern Illinois | Do you move your batteries from the boat into the house in the winter? I have my boat in the garage, but it still gets cold in there around Chicago.
Also, how do you determine when to replace a lead acid cell battery? |
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Posts: 613
Location: Michigan | I bring all my batteries in for the winter. If anything else, I feel it can't hurt to store them inside in the warmth. It also allows me to clean/repair connection points, battery trays, straps, etc. I replace my lead acid batteries every 3-5 years depending on performance, but I also don't fish that often anymore. You may want to look into lithium batteries as the prices are coming down pretty quickly. 12V 100aH Lithiums can be found for around $200-$300 these days and last much longer than lead-acid. Power Queen and LiTime brands seem to be pretty good from what I've seen. |
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Posts: 552
Location: deephaven mn | as long s your batteries are fully charged there is no need to bring them into your house. New batteries in the warehouse are kept at cooler tempetures to keep them from draining. Just keep them charged up like once a month then you good to go.
cleaning the corrosiin is a great idea and if they are water filled make sure water levels are filled |
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Posts: 638
Location: Duluth | All good advice above. If you think you need new batteries you can also try an equalizing/conditioning charge. Brought a few back from the brink this way this summer.
https://www.proboat.com/2016/10/solving-sulfation/ |
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Posts: 489
Location: Northern Illinois | The best way to know if your batteries need to be replaced is to load test them. I actually like the old fashioned resistor/analog type testers better.
https://www.schumacherelectric.com/products/battery-load-tester/?srs... |
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Posts: 1276
| I store my boat in an unheated "shed", and used to always bring my batteries into the basement for the winter, and checked them once a month. Current boat has battery storage that is awkward for an old guy like me, and so I just bring in the starting battery. Charge up the trolling batteries and leave them in the boat, now. No issues for several years. |
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Posts: 217
Location: Downers Grove, IL | My dealer told me to charge them up, then just disconnect the negative terminal, and they'd be good to go. Has worked for me but I also do throw them on a battery tender overnight maybe once a month, if I have the chance. |
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Posts: 1270
Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | My boat sits in an unheated garage from end of Nov. until some time in early April. Batteries are left in, charged after last trip, mid storage (Feb.), and before 1st trip in April. Never had an issue. Batteries are replaced every 5 to 7 years. Been doing this for over 30 years. |
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Posts: 205
| I attended a short seminar on boat batteries some years back. The manufacturer rep indicated that you should not store batteries in direct contact with a concrete floor. Place them on a board, piece of plywood etc. Apparently then can do a slow discharge even through the case.
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Posts: 1276
| pstrombe - 11/14/2024 7:45 PM
I attended a short seminar on boat batteries some years back. The manufacturer rep indicated that you should not store batteries in direct contact with a concrete floor. Place them on a board, piece of plywood etc. Apparently then can do a slow discharge even through the case.
My dad told me that back in the 70's. I've always used a couple chunks of 2x4. |
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Posts: 1265
Location: E. Tenn | ...
Edited by miket55 11/15/2024 11:33 AM
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Posts: 1270
Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | pstrombe - 11/14/2024 7:45 PM
I attended a short seminar on boat batteries some years back. The manufacturer rep indicated that you should not store batteries in direct contact with a concrete floor. Place them on a board, piece of plywood etc. Apparently then can do a slow discharge even through the case.
Was true years ago with rubber cased batteries. Todays batteries have plastic cases and are not susceptible to discharge. |
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