Batteries and winterizing??

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Seaman
Joined
Sep 6, 2004
Messages
72
Just curious if you remove your batteries in the winter. I have not for the past 2 years and seem ok. What is recommended?
 

ziggy

Admiral
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Jun 30, 2004
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Re: Batteries and winterizing??

yep, i do. i just clean em up on the outside. then i make sure it's filled up with distilled water. then set em on a board off the floor in the basement. then i trickle charge them 3 or 4 times over the corse of the winter. don't know if that's what is "recommended", but that's what i do. then i'm ready to go next season....
 

KaGee

Admiral
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Aug 14, 2004
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Re: Batteries and winterizing??

This will stir the pot again... for sure.<br /><br />It's up to you. Fully charged batteries cannot freeze. I would disconnnect and clean the terminals if you leave them there.<br /><br />I removed mine last year, but I stored them in the shed. No problems at all. <br /><br />Batteries will only last so long anyway, no matter how good you treat them.
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
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May 22, 2003
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5,352
Re: Batteries and winterizing??

I have left the batteries hooked up and fully charged on all of my boats for the last 12 years.I always flip my charger on a few times during the winter and have never had a problem.I check the acid level in the fall and again in the spring.Charlie
 

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
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Jun 29, 2004
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Re: Batteries and winterizing??

I do the same as Charlie....Never a problem....JK
 

Richard Petersen

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Dec 17, 2004
Messages
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Re: Batteries and winterizing??

Works for me to. Oh , we remove any 1 battery post lead to prevent a screwy way for a fire to start.
 

MRS

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Jul 10, 2005
Messages
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Re: Batteries and winterizing??

I pull and charge and set in garage and give a charge before installing again. Only fill with distilled water.
 

tystick

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 25, 2003
Messages
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Re: Batteries and winterizing??

Supposedly another wives tale is that batteries should not touch the conc. floor when storing or they lose charge. Evidently, they do not lose charge any faster :)
 

f_inscreenname

Commander
Joined
Aug 23, 2001
Messages
2,591
Re: Batteries and winterizing??

In the basement for mine with the rest of the stuff I don't want a rodent to get into and make a home.
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,465
Re: Batteries and winterizing??

Mine either Stay in the Boat,...........<br />Or,... More Likely,.... Like this year,......<br />I bring the Batteries into the Shop,+ Use them to Power my 24V Welder all winter.............. ;)
 

alternative

Seaman
Joined
Sep 6, 2004
Messages
72
Re: Batteries and winterizing??

yeah, thats my experience with batteries. THEY ONLY last so long. Doesnt matter much, I keep all my batteries in my construc.equipment all winter and nothing goes, ,maybe one will get weak, but once up and running , charges itself and its good to go. I was just curious what most do. Thanks
 

spartanpele

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 5, 2005
Messages
183
Re: Batteries and winterizing??

I talked with the manager of Northern Battery two weeks ago about this same topic. He recommended the following: You can leave your batteries connected during the winter, they don't need to be removed. Its best to fully charge them at the start of the winterizing, then charge them once a month till spring. If you attach an automatic charger to them, you merely have to plug it in once a month till charged, then shut it off. Concrete floors do not discharge the batteries any faster as batteries made now are constructed of hardened plastic, unlike the olden day batteries when the charge could seep through the casing. Batteries do not need to be stored in a warm climate, and actually will lose their charge faster when warm vs cold weather. Provided they have proper fluid (never use tap water), and are charged once a month, they will not freeze. So the simple procedure is, attach an automatic charger, and turn it on once a month to fully charge. Thats it.
 

JKEP44

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 11, 2005
Messages
110
Re: Batteries and winterizing??

If you do leave them in thier batt boxes make sure that there is no water in the box or it will freeze possibly cracking your batt from the outside. It happened to me on a 4-wheeler.
 

Scaaty

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
5,180
Re: Batteries and winterizing??

$10 Harbor Freight float charger (bought 10 on sale for $4.99 each a while back), set and forget. I have 7 batteries on right now, I will not look at until spring. Batt must be fully charged first. Keeps it between 13.20, and 13.50, the sweet spot, and will not boil out any water
 

craze1cars

Lieutenant Commander
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Dec 26, 2004
Messages
1,822
Re: Batteries and winterizing??

It's actually beneficial to leave batteries sit on a concrete floor, especially in basement or such. The cool thermal mass of the concrete keeps the battery at a very stable and relatively low temperatur, which is really good for long term battery storage. It does not cause any type of discharge as urban myth says.
 

Scaaty

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
5,180
Re: Batteries and winterizing??

Originally posted by craze1cars:<br /> It does not cause any type of discharge as urban myth says.
But it will leave a whitish mark on the concrete...and I don't know why. Don't make me go out to my shop and take a picture......
 

trog100

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 1, 2004
Messages
751
Re: Batteries and winterizing??

silly question this.. but does anybody know why the "water" in a battery dosnt freeze..<br /><br />i know it dosnt.. at least i have never heard of one doing it.. but this thread got me to thinking as to why it dosnt.. he he..<br /><br />trog
 

jch7450

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
230
Re: Batteries and winterizing??

Trok I just had to answer your battery freezing question.here's the reason>Lead-acid batteries consist of six cells of 2 V nominal voltage. Each cell contains (in the charged state) electrodes of lead metal (Pb) and lead (IV) oxide (PbO2) in an electrolyte of about 37 % w/w sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Modern designs have gelified electrolytes. In the discharged state both electrodes turn into lead(II) sulfate and the electrolyte turns into WATER. (This is why discharged lead-acid batteries can freeze.)
 

jch7450

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Apr 13, 2003
Messages
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Re: Batteries and winterizing??

HERE IS A LITTLE MORE ON BATTERIES<br /> Is concrete O.K.?<br />When storing a battery, it is important to make sure it is at a full charge and the electrolyte level is full. A battery stored in a discharged state is susceptible to freezing sulfation and an increased rate of further discharge. The battery should be placed in a cool dry area, the cooler the better without going below 32°F, that is well ventilated and out of reach of children and pets.
 

jch7450

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
230
Re: Batteries and winterizing??

Electrolyte Freezing Points <br />Specific Gravity of Electrolyte Freezing <br />Point<br />(degrees F) <br />1.265 -75 F <br />1.225 -35 F <br />1.200 -17 F <br />1.150 +5 F <br />1.100 +18 F <br />1.050 +27 F <br /><br />So to some it all up <water> is H2O and will freeze at 32 f !<br /><sulfuric acid> is H2SO4 will freeze at -75 f<br />Enough on that <br /> :D
 
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