Battery maintanance

[nightvision]

Hi all,<br />I just bought a Schumacher "smart battery charger" 12/8/2 amp for 12 volt batteries. I have a couple questions:<br /><br />a. Before I attach the charger to the boat battery I need to disconnect both the pos and neg cable. Correct?<br /><br />b. If I run the engine blower for 5 minutes or so, can I deep the battery in place and charge it without removing it?<br /><br />c. On the charger there is a function that tells what percentage it's at (ie. 90%, 80%..). Ideally, if the battery will sit for several months at what percent should I let it drop before charging? As I understand, one can charge/maintain the battery any percentage between 100% and 50%. One does not want to wait until the battery is below 50% to hook up the charger. Correct?<br /><br />d. I figure once a month I'll top it off to bring the battery to 100%. Is that the correct procedure?<br /><br />I appreciate any additional comments. Thanks.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Battery maintanance

a. I disconnect mine to be assured that if I have even a tiny electrical leak that it won't suck the battery dry - I have "lost" a couple of batteries by not doing this.<br /><br />b.Yep.<br /><br />c.Yeah but I use my volt meter as I do not trust gadgets. <br /><br />d. That is the way I do mine.<br /><br />You also need to check the water level once in a while and use distilled water if needed.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Battery maintanance

When storing the boat for the winter I like to pull the battery out and put it in the garage. That way it is easy to charge every month.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Battery maintanance

A. No need to disconnect the cables.<br />B. Battery can stay in place to charge if it is not in a confined space.When charging a battery generates Hydrogen (burns explosively in a confined space if exposed to flame or spark).<br />C. Your charger sounds pretty sofisticated won't it maintain the batterty in storage.<br /> It is best to keep the battery at 100%.I use a <br /> trickle charger hooked up all the time when idle.I got mine at Harbor Freight for about $6.<br />A battery left less than 100% will begin to sulfate which will shorten its life over time.<br /> If kept at room temperature beginning with a full charge, once a month will probably be enough to maintain it.Always remember hook leads to battery then plug in.After charging unplug then unhook the leads.

 

[trog100]

Re: Battery maintanance

a.. i never bother dissconnecting the terminals before charging.. but if the battery really is going to sit for several months doing nothing u might as well disconnect it completely during this period..<br /><br />b.. just make sure the area is well ventilated during charging and dont go near it with any naked flames.. this applies whether the battery is left on the boat or wherever.. i always loosen the top up terminals as well.. <br /><br />c.. this one fits in with your d.. comment.. a once a month top up is okay.. the main thing is not to let the battery go dead flat.. this ruins em.. <br /><br />if your boats sits in the water all the time (like mine does) and has things like automatic bilge pumps and such.. u need to leave the battery connected at all times.. if it dosnt its best to dissconnect the battery during storage.. <br /> <br />continuouse over-charging is the worse thing to do.. this is what produces exessive gassing.. assuming your auto charger works okay (i dont entirely trust the things) this wont happen.. but watch for things like your battery getting hot after charging or excessive bubbling of the electrolite..<br /><br />trog100

 

[amirm]

Re: Battery maintanance

If your charger has a meeter showing the charge level, then it is a smart charger. You can leave it on all the time to keep the battery fully charged.<br /><br />Amir

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Battery maintanance

Rather than a separate big charger, Schumacher makes a 1.5 Amp "maintainer" that can be permanently installed in the boat next to the battery. Plug it in and forget it regardless how long the boat sits idle. I installed them in my last two boats and they remain plugged in all winter. They cycle on and off as needed. They are about $25.00 at most stores that sell auto and marine parts.

 

[phantoms]

Re: Battery maintanance

For 1.5 amp or less (maintainer/trickle/etc.), I'd consider a solar trickle charger. No need to plug in a charger and it can even trickle while you are anchored somewhere during the day.