Why remove batteries in winter storage?

[MickD]

I've seen recommendations to remove batteries during winter storage in cold areas like MI, but am wondering whether it is important or not.  I'm getting older, and my batteries in my boat are not easily accessible, so I've been leaving them in the boat, connected to "smart" chargers, and have not yet seen any problems.  I will appreciate any knowledgeable comments. thanks, mick

[A-Jay]

While I do remove my gear (mostly to enable effective cleaning &  for simple maintenance) otherwise, I don't see the advantage; unless one's looking for a hernia.

Mine rig sits warm, cozy & plugged in the entire hard water season.

YMMV

A-Jay

[12poundbass]

Mid Michigan here. I keep them in the G3. I charge them once a month.

[MickD]

29 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Mid Michigan here. I keep them in the G3. I charge them once a month.

What is G3?

[Bird]

A fully charged battery won't freeze unless you live in Antarctica so no need to remove them with your regimen. 

 

I've yet to pull a battery from my boat or RV in many years. 

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

What is G3?

My boat

[FryDog62]

What if you leave a boat outside all winter (including below zero temps) without batteries plugged in to a bank charger?  

[DanielG]

Maine here, so good winters. I have two 100 amp batteries in my electric boat and one in my camper. They are covered and stored outside from October to May so, 7-8 months. I fully charge them when putting them away and find that they discharge maybe 10-15% by spring. A dead battery freezes. My batteries stay nearly fully charge over that time period. I've been doing this for a few years not and am not concerned about it.

[slonezp]

I've had a battery freeze once in 20 years. Since that happened about 5 years ago, I pull them.

[Bird]

37 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

What if you leave a boat outside all winter (including below zero temps) without batteries plugged in to a bank charger?  

A discharged battery freezes quickly below 32*.

A fully charged deep cycle battery will be fine outside as it discharges slowly.

[gim]

I think the issue is that batteries (of all kinds) lose power quicker in colder temps. Even my cell phone does. Obviously storing batteries inside and charging them every once in a while will help. If you can’t or don’t want to remove them, top them off with a good charge before winter and then recharge them next spring. It might take them a while to fully or almost fully recharge in the spring.

[Jig Man]

Lead acid batteries need to be charged monthly.  Agms can go a lot longer.

[FryDog62]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I think the issue is that batteries (of all kinds) lose power quicker in colder temps. Even my cell phone does. Obviously storing batteries inside and charging them every once in a while will help. If you can’t or don’t want to remove them, top them off with a good charge before winter and then recharge them next spring. It might take them a while to fully or almost fully recharge in the spring.

I usually park the boat in the garage and leave them on the charger all winter... but planning to sell the house and thinking of storing the boat for the first time..  I’ve heard so many opinions about what to do and not to do.  Not sure I want to disconnect 4 batteries and bring them inside for the winter though... maybe just leave it in the garage plugged in all winter again... 

[MN Fisher]

Just part of my OCD-ness. Battery gets unplugged, charged up, put in the basement. Even with the canoe in the garage, it gets darn chilly in there and I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[gim]

21 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I usually park the boat in the garage and leave them on the charger all winter... but planning to sell the house and thinking of storing the boat for the first time..  I’ve heard so many opinions about what to do and not to do.  Not sure I want to disconnect 4 batteries and bring them inside for the winter though... maybe just leave it in the garage plugged in all winter again... 

If I stored my boat at home in the garage I’d charge them periodically like that. Mine goes in storage (indoors, but not heated) and it takes a couple of days to slowly re charge them in the spring when I get my boat back. I just finished year 4 of these batteries so I’m prepared to replace them soon if I need to.

[Tom_R]

On 10/29/2019 at 10:05 PM, Jig Man said:

Lead acid batteries need to be charged monthly.  Agms can go a lot longer.

?

AGM batteries for the trolling motor stay in the boat.  Once they are fully charged in October they are good to go until next April/May.  My boat stays outside and I live near Cleveland.  Never had a problem with AGM batteries draining out.

 

Starter battery different story.  That one gets pulled and left on a battery tender for the winter storage.

[gnappi]

If I knew way back then what I know now, and solar were available I would have had a couple of solar panels on the roof of the barn with the charge controller in the barn keeping the batteries of my Mustang, and genset topped off. 

 

Today I keep my home made 80w battery charger (see pic) around for camping. I can use a little 35Ah battery at the campsite for some lighting and charge them in the daylight. 

 

At home, my DC only solar system keeps the perimeter of my house lit dusk to dawn even in power outages.