Battery Charging

[johnny_h]

Should I recharge my battery or does this reduce it's life? The battery seems OK - the trim works fine although I've not tested the start up. It's not been used over the winter and is a couple of years old. What's best practice, to give it a trickle charge to top it up or just leave it as it is, and allow it to recharge once the engine gets goings (assuming it will - fingers crossed!)

 

[DavidJ]

I've read that it damages batteries to be less than 50% charged so I reckon it's best to keep them topped up now and again over the winter period. While on a battery topic there is an interesting link here: http://www.sterling-power.com/support-faq-2.htm

 

[AndieMac]

It would be advisable to keep the battery topped up. If the battery is good, you only need a small amp. automatic cutoff charger. Over the winter, once a month for half a day, or till the needle goes back to about 1/2 an amp.

Cheap investment, for a lot of peace of mind. Battery reliablity rates pretty high in boating!

 

[AndieMac]

The last comment was made understanding that johnny_h has an 18' boat with probably a couple of 70AH start batteries. Obviously more complicated systems would need additional attention.

 

[DavidJ]

Andie, I think your advice holds true for most sizes of boat/battery. I've just had to replace 5 110Ah leisure batteries on my S37 after 7 years because I let them run down over winter. (Costco £72 each incl VAT)

 

[AndieMac]

David.. Like most things on our boats, they work in a pretty harsh environment. The harshest is lack of use.

Enjoy your upcoming season /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[DavidJ]

Andie, I've just noticed you're in Tasmania. We had a holiday in Oz including Tasmania a couple of year back...what a fabulous place to live!!

 

[AndieMac]

Sorry about the delay in responding, I am going to bed when everybody seems to be active on the forum.

Did you get to Launceston when travelling in Tas.? I am based at the marina, also have another down river (Tamar) at Georgetown.

Some Brits find the cooler climate of Tassy a bit more bearable, unless you are a young back-packer, who wants to work on your tan /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif