Who removes their batteries for winter storage in cold climates?

[Gary G]

I've heard that it is best to remove the batteries from vessels during winter storage in cold climates such as New England, but I'd like to know who actually does it and why? I know it can be difficult to remove the heavier batteries and reinstall every year, but I would think that keeping them charged over the winter would increase their life substationally. I'd like to know what your experience has been from those that have, and have not removed them. One of the mechanics at my marina in CT. who winterizes quite a few boats, told me that most owners leave then onboard over the winter. I don't know if that is true or not.
Gary G

[seafox29]

Gary
I have always taken my batteries out when I winterize the boat and I am in New Jersey.
It was what was recommended when I bought my first boat and have always done it.
I keep the batteries at home in the garage off the floor and keep a trickle charge on them.
Hope this helps.

[witeagle]

Many people take the batteries off the boat in the winter since the cold temps cause the batteries to drain quicker, esp wet cell batteries (lead acid).

As the battery drains, if not kept charge will drastically shorten the life of the battery. So, the thought process behind bringing batteries home is to not leave them in the cold to die over the winter. If you have the means to charge them up about once every 4 or 5 weeks there is no reason to pull your batteries.

For people that bring batteries home, putting them in the garage or a shed is the same as leaving them on the boat, unless of course, if charged up every 4 or 5 weeks.

Another issue people don't think about when charging a battery at home is the typical 'trickle charger' is not all that good for a battery either. All a trickle stage does is bring a battery back to a decent chrage when it is overly discharged. To really get the best life from a battery a multi stage charger should be used that can automatically perform the correct charge required for the battery depending on it's condition. The charger performes Trickle or constant charge, Bulk and Float. Running a good charger on a battery for about 24 hours once a month over the winter will keep your battery in service condition over the winter.

There are also 4 stage chargers that also perform some additional tasks but are very very expensive.

Since I don't live far from my marina, I go down and plug in the charger once a month and one of the guys at the marina pulls it out for me a day or two later.

[chick]

Many people take the batteries off the boat in the winter since the cold temps cause the batteries to drain quicker, esp wet cell batteries (lead acid).

As the battery drains, if not kept charge will drastically shorten the life of the battery. So, the thought process behind bringing batteries home is to not leave them in the cold to die over the winter. If you have the means to charge them up about once every 4 or 5 weeks there is no reason to pull your batteries.

For people that bring batteries home, putting them in the garage or a shed is the same as leaving them on the boat, unless of course, if charged up every 4 or 5 weeks.

Another issue people don't think about when charging a battery at home is the typical 'trickle charger' is not all that good for a battery either. All a trickle stage does is bring a battery back to a decent chrage when it is overly discharged. To really get the best life from a battery a multi stage charger should be used that can automatically perform the correct charge required for the battery depending on it's condition. The charger performes Trickle or constant charge, Bulk and Float. Running a good charger on a battery for about 24 hours once a month over the winter will keep your battery in service condition over the winter.

There are also 4 stage chargers that also perform some additional tasks but are very very expensive.

Since I don't live far from my marina, I go down and plug in the charger once a month and one of the guys at the marina pulls it out for me a day or two later.

This is really good advice. Batteries will last longest if kept in abobve freezing temperatures and in a constant state of good charge. If left in a boat in below freezing temperatures it is imperitive to keep them charged. Once batteries loose their charge the electrolyte becomes like water and can freeze and do internal/external damage to the battery.