Batteries

[none]

With my boat in dry storage for the Winter I disconnected the main batteries cables to the control panel from the batterie thermals. I want to make sure I have power next year. Did I do the right thing????????
Jens Jensen

 

[abcandjrc]

Batteries will "self-discharge" when stored for long periods of time. If you do not have power in the dry storage facility so you can connect them to a trickle charger it would be best to remove them, store them someplace where they cannot freeze, preferably on a wooden support, and connect a trickle charger there.

It probably wouldn't happen over a winter storage, but batteries that go completely "flat" sometimes will not recover when put back in service. But as they go flat, the risk of freezing grows.

Even with a trickle charger, it is best to check the electrolyte levels periodically until you get an idea if you are drawing them down with the constant charge.

 

[Levitation]

NONE, I am not sure what you disconnected... IF you are leaving the batteries in over the winter remove the ground terminal clamps from the batteries - take it off each negative battery post leaving the negative battery post completely disconnected from the boat and from each other... Best would be if you can drop by the boat every 45-60 days and do an equalizing charge on the batteries for an hour or so - looong extension cord or portable generator...

Better was already suggested, - take the batteries out and move them where they can have a trickle charger on them all the time... Here you connect all the batteries in parallel...

And ABC, buddy (sigh) I wonder how many wood stakes have to be pounded through the heart of the vampire old wives tale that batteries have to be stored on wood? Yeah, it was true in your grandfathers childhood with rubber cases and tar poured over the top posts, and he told it to your father (no longer true) who told it to you (vastly untrue)... That battery does not know - or care - if it is on wood, plastic, your granite kitchen counter (your wife cares), or a steel plate (which is what it is on in your car)...

cheers

 

[abcandjrc]

Yes, indeed..... but I still have four 6 volt batteries my GF bequeathed to my Dad and he left them to me. I have them in pairs of two in series and they crank the R21 just fine. The house bank will go down overnight if we stay up all night playing Gin Rummy. I attribute the long life to having stored them on wood for the 27 years I have had them..... :lol:

Hey, wood can't hurt. You drop a plastic case on concrete and you still have to clean up the acid.

 

[Portugeezer]

I don't think anybody saw that one coming. . . :shock:

 

[Levitation]

That one short circuited my brain...