Storing Batteries

[gpfishingdude]

I have left a couple of cars in the garage all winter before and never had any problems with them starting and running in the spring. This year I removed the batteries from the boats, two starting batteries and three deep cycles and stored them in the garage. Now is there any reason why they would have to be charged during the winter or will they last the 3-4 months like the car batteries have? I forgot to add that I charged the boat batteries up before I stored them. Thanks

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Storing Batteries

A trickle charger on them would be the best. If you can't do that charge them up about once a month.

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Storing Batteries

If your leaving a charger on them, make sure its a smart charger with a maintenance mode. The reason to charge them is that when they are kept fully charged they last longer.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Storing Batteries

I think what I should have asked is- I can't see why the starting batteries would die during the winter if the car batteries don't, do the deep cycle batteries run down quicker or freeze up in an unheated garage? I thought that fully charged batteries last a long time and I didn't want to risk leaving chargers on them all winter. Of course I will charge them before I try to use them this spring. Thanks

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Storing Batteries

Any lead acid battery will freeze if it happens to go flat. That is why they recommends storing them in a cool place but above freezing. Interstate Batteries recommends charging once a month for the longest battery life.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Storing Batteries

I know that it is best to charge a battery at least once a month if possible. I did some reading just now and it says a standing battery will discharge at about 10% of its capacity per month at 45 degrees but that it will lose less capacity if it is colder. Then I found out that a regular wet cell battery will freeze at -35 degrees at 75% of it's charge and at -10 degrees at 50% of it's charge. So I am hoping that it is cold enough to slow down the loss of capacity but not cold enough to freeze them before we get home.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Storing Batteries

I normally change at the end of the season, and when I am ready to put it on the slip, but I have mild winters and I don't take them out of the boat, but I do look at the voltage as winter goes along.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Storing Batteries

Put on wood , acid will leak if not sealed maintence free , Had some large 8 volts that I left 1/2 ton electric hoist touching outer case and was suprised how it festered aluminum housing on hoist.Grandpa always had Ivory soap on top that seemed to help and he would have me hose down with water and clean with tolit brush that brand of soap had lye in it and has kept ezgo cart batteries premo .

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Storing Batteries

Put on wood .

That's an old wives tale. Don't need to do that.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: Storing Batteries

I don't think that was an old wives tale from what I've heard, the reason it doesn't hurt batteries to set them on concrete any more is because of what they make the cases out of now. I still set mine on wood anyway just to be sure.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Storing Batteries

I don't think that was an old wives tale from what I've heard, the reason it doesn't hurt batteries to set them on concrete any more is because of what they make the cases out of now. I still set mine on wood anyway just to be sure.

Exactly, that is why its an old wives tale. The storing on wood thing hasn't been true since battery cases were made out of rubber or plastic. Storing on wood buys you nothing.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Storing Batteries

Buffering-between cold hard plastic and cold harder concrete, between some acidic overflow and acid etched concrete?

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Storing Batteries

I never charge my boat batteries from the time I take them out of the boat in Nov. until I use them again in April. The last set of batteries lasted 7 years. I do, however, store them in a heated garage.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Storing Batteries

Buffering-between cold hard plastic and cold harder concrete, between some acidic overflow and acid etched concrete?

LOL...a buffer for what? They will all be the same temperature. And as far as acid leaking out, don't see that ever happen with a battery that isn't overfilled or over charged.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Storing Batteries

I never charge my boat batteries from the time I take them out of the boat in Nov. until I use them again in April. The last set of batteries lasted 7 years. I do, however, store them in a heated garage.

When a battery is not completely charged it will start to sulfate. Batteries self discharge so storing them for that long guarantees you will have some sort of sulfation. What the sulfation will do is lower the amount of current your battery can supply and its capacity. Your battery may have lasted 7 years but you lowered its capacity and current capability. Its true you may have never noticed the decreased performance but it happened.

Its good you store them in a heated garage because if you didn't, your discharged battery could freeze.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Storing Batteries

I know that it is best to charge a battery at least once a month if possible. I did some reading just now and it says a standing battery will discharge at about 10% of its capacity per month at 45 degrees but that it will lose less capacity if it is colder. Then I found out that a regular wet cell battery will freeze at -35 degrees at 75% of it's charge and at -10 degrees at 50% of it's charge. So I am hoping that it is cold enough to slow down the loss of capacity but not cold enough to freeze them before we get home.

One thing that is real important is to get the batteries up off of the floor. Put some wood under them. For some reason batteries will discharge faster if left on a concrete floor. I don't know why this is but I've witnessed it happen. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: Storing Batteries

One thing that is real important is to get the batteries up off of the floor. Put some wood under them. For some reason batteries will discharge faster if left on a concrete floor. I don't know why this is but I've witnessed it happen. Just my 2 cents.

I agree, and it will not hurt anything, and maybe gives piece of mind. Ole wives tail or not.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Storing Batteries

Batteries self discharge. That's just a fact. That is why you need to have them on a float charger. Next time you have them on a concrete floor, try to measure the current from the posts to the floor. I guarantee you won't measure anything.

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Storing Batteries

I put mine up off of the floor also. More of an old habit than anything. I red in a trade magazine that it was not necessary any more, but can't remember if it was the tar sealed batteries or the wooden cases that used to be the problem. I worked with the tar but don't date back as far as wooden cases.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Storing Batteries

I think it went back to the wooden cases. The only reason I could see putting a battery on anything is if it was leaking acid. If that is the case, you should be getting rid of that battery.