storage for winter batteries

[GoneFishingLTN]

How do you recommend storing batteries for the winter? I have two Marine Interstate AGM dual-purpose batteries and three Duracell deep-cycle batteries, group size 31.

 

I can't keep them hooked up in the boat due to freezing temperatures I'm assuming 

[padlin]

In the camper I would charge them completely then disconnect. 100% charged won’t freeze. Or you can lug them inside. Mid winter I’d hook them up to the charger again but they never really needed it. Fully charged is the key.

[GoneFishingLTN]

7 minutes ago, padlin said:

In the camper I would charge them completely then disconnect. 100% charged won’t freeze. Or you can lug them inside. Mid winter I’d hook them up to the charger again but they never really needed it. Fully charged is the key.

So would it be ok if I left them in a charge every here an now?

[Jig Man]

If those Duracells are flooded I would charge them every month.  Agm batteries don’t need it that often.

[TnRiver46]

Inside the house ? 

[padlin]

If it’s the end of the season in TN I’d top,off the charge and disconnect. If you have a trickle charger/maintainer you can just leave it on if you have ac where you store the boat.

[gim]

8 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

I can't keep them hooked up in the boat due to freezing temperatures I'm assuming 

Where is your boat stored? Outside or in a garage?
 

I’d pull them if outside. If the boat is in a garage, you can leave them in there and just charge them about once a month.

 

I am north of you and it’s even colder here. I leave mine in my boat all winter, which sits in my insulated garage. I charge them monthly. I have both AGM and lead acid.

[TnRiver46]

7 hours ago, padlin said:

If it’s the end of the season in TN I’d top,off the charge and disconnect. If you have a trickle charger/maintainer you can just leave it on if you have ac where you store the boat.

He’s in Iowa, fishing season just started in TN

[padlin]

I must of mistaken your location for his, my oops.

[TnRiver46]

4 minutes ago, padlin said:

I must of mistaken your location for his, my oops.

I have done it many times, those last two letters of his screen name have gotten me again and again! 

[GoneFishingLTN]

4 hours ago, gimruis said:

Where is your boat stored? Outside or in a garage?
 

I’d pull them if outside. If the boat is in a garage, you can leave them in there and just charge them about once a month.

 

I am north of you and it’s even colder here. I leave mine in my boat all winter, which sits in my insulated garage. I charge them monthly. I have both AGM and lead acid.

Outside have access to power to charge them but the extension would have to sit under the snow which isn't a huge deal. I usually take them out and store them inside but have no way of charging them inside 

[DogBone_384]

21 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

I can't keep them hooked up in the boat due to freezing temperatures I'm assuming

 

I've left my boat outside, plugged in all winter since I bought it in 2020 and haven't had a problem.

 

I have two Diehard deep cycle and a 'regular' Diehard.

[gim]

9 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

I usually take them out and store them inside but have no way of charging them inside 

 

No manual trickle charger/maintainer?  You can get one for about 25 bucks.

 

I'd take them out if they're sitting in the boat outside, personally.  If we were going to get another fake winter I'd say they'd be ok but we've already had a bunch of days of bitter cold temps and its only Dec 13 so the fakeness is gone.

[GoneFishingLTN]

On 12/13/2024 at 7:45 AM, gimruis said:

 

No manual trickle charger/maintainer?  You can get one for about 25 bucks.

 

I'd take them out if they're sitting in the boat outside, personally.  If we were going to get another fake winter I'd say they'd be ok but we've already had a bunch of days of bitter cold temps and its only Dec 13 so the fakeness is gone.

No I don't have one which do you recommend for what I have

[gim]

8 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

No I don't have one which do you recommend for what I have

 

I don't have this one but NOCO seems like a solid brand from what I've heard.  This one is their best seller and would work for nearly any 12 volt battery.  Just hook it up until its charged, and then move it to the next battery until that one is charged.  I'd do it at minimum every month during the winter.

 

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS1-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W46BX31/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.02TD3P1FcSuZAh7XtS3xvIC_rBzkl_T-O5saHDsn6HBX0NJK081eZ37f8k2GmVJlvREEJ2iOs2VZYo9JYGq1-V7eYjxfDSES4RGrQsi8Maj6OFT0kkBgPRymggMLMxXg6fHwcvHlpGJ5nyBNAdv2vGhJutjb84ON1mDg4igpfmAjpK8sHmQFVCTZ6wn2hPVzIpqNC6388mZkbrn9B_Ldi_BpCiMIBeGL-zxHFqQkoSdRY3GI1C2yJEdIZDVbqka9K0P6mPlQgoHXulrBNd67pzEBFoT0as619h8Bya-lOXw.RB1ESsG4oJyEbNv9HJidbhHYoOIqcwnKAsTPVsDhHNQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=12v%2Bbattery%2Bmaintainer&qid=1734442077&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

[padlin]

I’ve got a couple NOCO chargers and have no complaints.  The one above is nice cause it’ll maintain lithiums too, if ever needed. You do have to chose the battery type, at least the first time.

[GoneFishingLTN]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

I don't have this one but NOCO seems like a solid brand from what I've heard.  This one is their best seller and would work for nearly any 12 volt battery.  Just hook it up until its charged, and then move it to the next battery until that one is charged.  I'd do it at minimum every month during the winter.

 

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS1-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W46BX31/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.02TD3P1FcSuZAh7XtS3xvIC_rBzkl_T-O5saHDsn6HBX0NJK081eZ37f8k2GmVJlvREEJ2iOs2VZYo9JYGq1-V7eYjxfDSES4RGrQsi8Maj6OFT0kkBgPRymggMLMxXg6fHwcvHlpGJ5nyBNAdv2vGhJutjb84ON1mDg4igpfmAjpK8sHmQFVCTZ6wn2hPVzIpqNC6388mZkbrn9B_Ldi_BpCiMIBeGL-zxHFqQkoSdRY3GI1C2yJEdIZDVbqka9K0P6mPlQgoHXulrBNd67pzEBFoT0as619h8Bya-lOXw.RB1ESsG4oJyEbNv9HJidbhHYoOIqcwnKAsTPVsDhHNQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=12v%2Bbattery%2Bmaintainer&qid=1734442077&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

So I don't need to leave it plugged in all winter?

[gim]

I wouldn't just leave it plugged in all winter.  I would just occasionally plug it in to top the batteries off. 

 

Maybe someone else here who is more familiar with the NOCO chargers can offer their opinion.

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

Maybe someone else here who is more familiar with the NOCO chargers can offer their opinion.

If bass Trek isn't on the water (or on it's way to/from the water) my NOCO Genius 5x2 is plugged in maintaining my two AGMs 24x7. It'll automatically shut down to prevent over-charging, and only come on as needed to top-off....maybe twice a month during the winter in the garage.