Do the batteries need to be removed?

[rcl700]

I'm wondering I need to remove my deep cycle batteries from my boat during the cold nights. ( Georgia ) low 30s nights

Does it damage them to be outside in the cold?

I put a 6amp charge on them once every two weeks.

Will the cold drain them faster.

Thanks for any help. Id like to make these batteries last as long as possible.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: Do the batteries need to be removed?

I'm wondering I need to remove my deep cycle batteries from my boat during the cold nights. ( Georgia ) low 30s nights

Does it damage them to be outside in the cold?

I put a 6amp charge on them once every two weeks.

Will the cold drain them faster.

Thanks for any help. Id like to make these batteries last as long as possible.

Hey Rcl, sounds to me like you are already taking very good care of your batteries. Being out in those temperatures should not damage them at all. Charging them fully every two weeks is a good thing and should keep them healthy over the winter.

I'm in Canada and we have batteries sit in vehicles (boats, trucks cars whatever) in much colder temperatures.

Cheers!

 

[madgadget]

Re: Do the batteries need to be removed?

Cold prolongs the live of a battery. The chemical reactions slow down and you can leave them fully charged for months at a time and they will be fine.

Cold also lowers the cranking ability of the battery, again because the chemical activity happens slower, that + engines are harder to start when very cold is why you have say 60-100Ah battery on a boat when in actual fact you could start an outboard with much less (not to mention the fact its nice and a good idea to have plenty of stored power reserves )

Ed

 

[THE BEEF]

Re: Do the batteries need to be removed?

You might want to go to Harbor freight and pickup a couple of float chargers.
You put them on and leave them on through the winter. Keeps batteries fully charged by a very small trickle charge. I have them on all my batteries (7) camper,boat, tractor ... ect.
No problems so far this is my 3rd year using them. Auto stores get about $20.00 each.
I got mine at Harbor Freight for $3.99 on sale. Same charger!
Beef

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Do the batteries need to be removed?

I didn't do the chemical analysis, but I have read many times that only discharged batteries freeze. The charging process changes the H2SO4 (sulphuric acid) AND H20 (water) chemical composition to something else (been 50 years since I had Chemistry). Now, surely at some point a fully charged one will freeze too.....just don't happen to know what temp that is.

Course the folks at Purdhoe Bay, Alaska have batteries in their stuff and they apparently survive the -60 temps they get there......geez, can't imagine running a 80,000 # rig over 3-4' of ice......brrrrrrr gives me the shivers.

Mark

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do the batteries need to be removed?

Come on up to Minnesota Mark. It was only 12 below zero here this morning. Can't wait for a little more ice to form so we can punch some holes and go fishing.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Do the batteries need to be removed?

Come on up to Minnesota Mark. It was only 12 below zero here this morning. Can't wait for a little more ice to form so we can punch some holes and go fishing.

No thanks Silver. Back in the '80's when they were opening Purdhoe Bay for oil exploration/drilling, they had ads for people to come up there and work. The money was great, but being a Texas boy I gave it second thoughts. Wife firmed it up when she said "you'll do it ALONE if you do it".

Plugs still going strong.

Mark

 

[rcl700]

Re: Do the batteries need to be removed?

You might want to go to Harbor freight and pickup a couple of float chargers.
You put them on and leave them on through the winter. Keeps batteries fully charged by a very small trickle charge. I have them on all my batteries (7) camper,boat, tractor ... ect.
No problems so far this is my 3rd year using them. Auto stores get about $20.00 each.
I got mine at Harbor Freight for $3.99 on sale. Same charger!
Beef

found them at harbor freight online $10. Stilll the best price that I can find. I think Ill get a few of these. Thanks for the heads up on Harbor Freight!

Did you hard wire yours in?

These are only for fully charged batteries correct?
When I get home from fishing ill need to put the batteries on the charger first. correct?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Do the batteries need to be removed?

These are only for fully charged batteries correct?
When I get home from fishing ill need to put the batteries on the charger first. correct?

Yepper. The trickle charger is a low amperage battery charger designed to "maintain" a charged battery.

Mark

 

[boat1010]

Re: Do the batteries need to be removed?

I live in Nebraska and leave my batteries in the boat and campers. Charge the boat about every month and the camper is plugged in so it has a constant trickle charge. Never have had any problems.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: Do the batteries need to be removed?

found them at harbor freight online $10. Stilll the best price that I can find. I think Ill get a few of these. Thanks for the heads up on Harbor Freight!

Did you hard wire yours in?

These are only for fully charged batteries correct?
When I get home from fishing ill need to put the batteries on the charger first. correct?

I think to get the $3.99 price you might need a coupon. I noticed in the latest issue of "In Fisherman" there is a 1-page HF ad, and that charger is in there. We have a HF store downstate from me, and they are usually out of that charger. Got a couple of rainchecks in on that one.