Batteries

[pugbro]

I have a deep cycle battery that I use for my trolling motor, however I live in the great but very dry state of Georgia. We have experienced an extreme drought this summer and all the small lakes have dried up and some of the larger ones are on their way. Therefore I am looking at it being quite a while before I will be going fishing again. What is the best way to store a battery for a long period. I have been told that deep cycle battries need to be charged and discharged regularly or they will go bad....Any suggestions? Any and all info will be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[gcboat]

Re: Batteries

Take a read through here - just might answer your question:
http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm

 

[thrasher]

Re: Batteries

As a general rule, any lead acid battery needs to be kept fully charged and the acid level above the plates. I have never heard of a lead acid battery requiring regular discharges to keep it healthy, but if the battery starts to loose it's charge it will deteriate quite quickly.. The best thing is to buy a cheap trickle charger and store the battery somewhere warm with the trickle charger on until you need it next year.

Gary

 

[pugbro]

Re: Batteries

Take a read through here - just might answer your question:
http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm

Thanks a million..This page really cleared up a bunch of "old wifes tales" about batteries

 

[pugbro]

Re: Batteries

As a general rule, any lead acid battery needs to be kept fully charged and the acid level above the plates. I have never heard of a lead acid battery requiring regular discharges to keep it healthy, but if the battery starts to loose it's charge it will deteriate quite quickly.. The best thing is to buy a cheap trickle charger and store the battery somewhere warm with the trickle charger on until you need it next year.

Gary

Thanks, The next thing on my shopping list is a trickle charger..I have used on on my lawn mower for years, but it never crossed my mind about the boat battery.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Batteries

The next thing on my shopping list is a trickle charger..

Monitor your water level, there are "trickle" chargers that will boil off water at a pretty good clip ...

 

[Boatist]

Re: Batteries

I am not a fan of trickle chargers at all. Buy a Smart charger 10 amps or more and you can use it to charge your battery after use. They will taper to zero amps and not over charge. Most will also help reduce sulfaction.

Trickel charger many if not most do not have any voltage regulation and can over charge your battery because they do not shut off.

If you never want to use the charger to charge your battery after a deep discharge after a day or night on the water then you can get a battery maintainer. Battery maintainer will not over charge battery, However if you need to recharge after a deep discharge it will take a long time to recharge and I belive taking a long time to recharge does more damage to the battery than a higher amp smart charger.

My two batteries are charged on the boat by a 64 amp alternator thru a battery isolator. At home between trips I use a 10 or 15 amp smart charger. I have never had any battery that did not last at least 6 years.

Most important is to charge in summer once a month if you do not use. In winter can get by with every 2 months. You may be able to go longer but remember all lead acid batteries self discharge and the deeper the discharge the more damage is done. After use fully charge as soon as possible.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Batteries

Agreed, The price of the smart chargers has come down to the point that it is cheap insurance to use one rather than a trickle charger. With my memory I will forget about checking a trickle charger. I like the hook up and forget about it feature of a good smart charger/ maintainer. And the higher amp smart charger can bring the battery to full charge faster.