To hook or not to hookup - the battery charger

[mainer]

I have been given differing advice on whether to keep the battery charger plugged in for storing the R23 or to disconnect the negative leads on the batteries for storage. Also - we had a home in a golf cart community where every couple of years people started house fires by leaving their battery chargers plugged in to their golf carts while they were gone. Any advice for me on the best way to store the boat? What about the solar panel - is that adequate to keep the batteries charged?

 

[GaylesFaerie]

I have found a 100W solar panel with an MPPT controller more than adequate to keep my 3 house and 1 starter batteries topped off during the winter layup including working on the boat during the winter and using the inverter to occasionally power the microwave, lights (LEDs) and outlets for a small vacuum. I wrap the boat in such way as to not cover the solar panel and I check the electrolyte levels at least once during the winter. HTH, GF

 

[Brian B]

When I winterized my boat in RI I would fully charge the batteries and then disconnect the negatives. In the Spring they were still fully charged.

 

[marksandyham]

For several years I have left the batteries connected and connected the charger to shore power two or three times over the winter. Modern automatic marine chargers will not overcharge the batteries so if I was not storing at a marina I would leave it connected all year.

The fero-resonant chargers they use on mant golf carts are cheap blunt instruments and designed to quickly charge the cart for it's next use. Not designed to be connected 27/7.

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

The Abso charger will maintain the batteries when left connected for long periods. Every 7 days, it does a bulk charge maintenance cycle to keep the batteries fresh.


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[knotflying]

There will be many different replies here. My preference was to remove the batteries and I would test them monthly to see if there was any significant voltage loss, usually not. Removing them gave me the opportunity to clean the battery compartment, check the strap integrity and clean all connections. Before replacing in spring I would throw a charge on them and then I was good to go.

 

[BB marine]

If you are storing the boat for the winter and do not plan on working on it on a regular basis. Fully charge the batteries Pull all the negative leads from each battery bank. Zip tie and label.( as already stated by others) A fully charged battery in good condition should only loose a couple of tenths of a Volt over the winter months.

If you have the boat stored and plan on working on it over the winter months I would recommend pulling the 24/7 fuses and leaving the batteries hooked up. Each time you come to work on the boat plug it in and turn the charger on. This will also maintain the batteries and give you the ability to have lights and accessories avabale to you while working on the boat.

Honestly it is a choice and opinion based question. There is no wrong answer.

 

[mainer]

Thank you for all the helpful information given here!