Battery disconnect for winter storage

[Marnis]

Hi All,
I have a 2018 RT 31CB. We keep our boat in Michigan and every year it has to be stored for the winter. I keep mine in a heated warehouse near our club. In addition to all the usual winterization items we have to disconnect both banks of batteries. This requires the disconnecting of multiple battery cables. I would like a suggestion of how I can install an on off switch on each of the two banks of batteries to avoid having to disconnect various cables. The switches, when turned off, would have the same result of isolating the batteries from any draw, the same as disconnecting cables.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Sonny

 

[Pilotnavigator]

You really only have to disconnect the yellow wires. Leave the red alone. The negative yellow wires are fewer. Mark each battery with a number and put the same number on the end of the wire. Put the bolts back on the terminals and your done.

 

[Kevin Lamont]

Hi All,
I have a 2018 RT 31CB. We keep our boat in Michigan and every year it has to be stored for the winter. I keep mine in a heated warehouse near our club. In addition to all the usual winterization items we have to disconnect both banks of batteries. This requires the disconnecting of multiple battery cables. I would like a suggestion of how I can install an on off switch on each of the two banks of batteries to avoid having to disconnect various cables. The switches, when turned off, would have the same result of isolating the batteries from any draw, the same as disconnecting cables.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Sonny

Hey Sonny,

Hope all is well with you.

Like stated above you can disconnect the grounds which would cut any draw on the batteries over the winter time. Personally I disconnect both the power and ground cables, when I do this I disconnect one terminal at a time and I even zip-tie the connections together so they don't get mixed up or miss a cable come spring.

Really the best thing to do is have the boat plugged into shore power, you don't have to have a typical shore power outlet. You can buy an adapter that plugs into the boat but the you can plug a standard extension cord into the adapter. You can always call or email direct if you have any additional questions. Have a great holiday season and hope to see you next summer for the rendezvous!!

Thank you,
Kevin Lamont

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Since you will be away from the boat for an extended period, disconnection of all the negative cables is best. Eventually one battery will go bad, if all the batteries are connected the bad battery I’ll kill all the rest. The short in the bad one will draw down power from all the others.

 

[bob daily]

Sonny, you can install a battery disconnect switch on the negative cable and isolate the battery.
Can be placed at any location in the negative cable run, available at any auto parts store for about $10-$15. I have them installed on all my farming equipment and camper, just remember this will isolate power to the bilge pump so only use when boat is out of water for winter storage or on the trailer. Bob

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Remember isolating a complete bank of batteries with a switch on the negative side, while it will keep the bank from discharging, it will not protect each battery from discharging into a battery with a defect like a short. I only have a little 21EC but do have 4 AGM batteries. It only takes a couple of minutes to disconnect the yellow negative lines. I think the time is worth the peace of mind all winter. Fully charged batteries in October have all read 12.7 each May.
With the boat out of the water, shrink wrapped and plug pulled in the bilge.