battery removal ?

[jimh]

When my boat was winterised, the volvo chap mentioned that the batteries should come off for winter storage however he left them onboard because he was concerned he would not be able to lower the 12v ram assisted engine hatch. Somebody has since mentioned that the engines will go flat over winter, even with all isolaters off, and the batteries will be useless come spring - is this true ??

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[tr7v8]

Discharge rate is much higher in low temps and a discharged battery will freeze I have heating & battery charging on the boat so not an issue. And lugging a 120Amp leisure batt out of the engine bay, over the side of the boat and up the pontoon is not my idea of fun!

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[kindredspirit]

Depends on the batteries, I suppose.

Left mine in the boat, with no charging, over the last 4 winters and they started the engine 1st turn of the key each spring.

But you can tempt fate too far, so this summer I had a solar panel installed which trickle feeds the batteries. Touch wood, the engine will start again next spring 1st turn of the key. (Am I also tempting fate by saying that?)

(I once had a Transit van bought new in '87; the battery finally gave up the ghost in 98 hauling a sports boat up a steep slipway. The Ford dealer seemed surprised when I complained (tongue in cheek) that the battery had only lasted 11 years!) Mind you! it was cheap on water. We never, ever topped it up!

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.begleys.com/kevin/weather.htm>Useful links for when cruising in Irish waters.</A>

 

[DavidJ]

Charge it up well now and again after a couple of months and it will be OK. If not, it needed replacing anyway.

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[hlb]

Batteries are not the only issue though, if in water you need bilge pump and in any event you need heating and dehumidifying. So might as well have batteries being charged at the same time.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[Guest]

Need to displell a myth here. Battery self discharge is actually significantly reduced in cold temperatures. Ask any battery manufacturer - they recommend keeping batteries in a cool place.

Freezing of the electrolyte is an issue as the ice can crack the battery case open.

Depending on the boat and the battery depends on whether taking them off is a good idea. If you have parasitic loads (eg radio memories, alarm etc), you'll find that even the small draw they have (maybe 1/2AH per day) will discharge them over time.

Battery wise, some batteries have better self discharge rates than others. A good quality cell (like a Delphi or AGM battery) will self discharge slower and will probably be okay with 6 months of no use.

Your best bet is to fit a good quality 4 stage charger with a proper float mode. These units will keep the battery in tip top condition all year round.

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[Guest]

Need to displell a myth here. Battery self discharge is actually significantly reduced in cold temperatures. Ask any battery manufacturer - they recommend keeping batteries in a cool place.

Freezing of the electrolyte is an issue as the ice can crack the battery case open.

Depending on the boat and the battery depends on whether taking them off is a good idea. If you have parasitic loads (eg radio memories, alarm etc), you'll find that even the small draw they have (maybe 1/2AH per day) will discharge them over time.

Battery wise, some batteries have better self discharge rates than others. A good quality cell (like a Delphi or AGM battery) will self discharge slower and will probably be okay with 6 months of no use.

Your best bet is to fit a good quality 4 stage charger with a proper float mode. These units will keep the battery in tip top condition all year round.

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[Guest]

Battery self discharge rates are actually much lower in cold temperatures.

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[Guest]

Battery self discharge rates are actually much lower in cold temperatures.

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[PhilF]

New York, New York, so good they named it twice!

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[Guest]

sorry - stoopid computer..... just fixed it by throwing it across my office.....
sorry - stoopid computer..... just fixed it by throwing it across my office.....
sorry - stoopid computer..... just fixed it by throwing it across my office.....
sorry - stoopid computer..... just fixed it by throwing it across my office.....

Why can't someone come up with computers (or software) that works..... that bill gates - won't ever be successful.....

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[wakeup]

You should try a Mac. very impressive the latest pieces of kit from Apple and they work because they build the computer and the OS.

<hr width=100% size=1>.....can't be arsed.....

 

[cool_running]

Who told you that!!!!
Rubbish.... come and visit me,batteries discharge much quicker in cold temperatures,trust me I should know.....

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[Guest]

Read the post - we are talking about SELF discharge.... NOT applied discharge...



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[Guest]

Read the post - we are talking about SELF discharge.... NOT applied discharge...



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[Guest]

I've just been on a three day long seminar of battery construction, features/benefits, fault finding and discussion of charging regimes etc with Delphi. Delphi are the largest european manufacturer of batteries (used to be known as Delco). Their tips for battery winterization is as follows (I can fax the original to you if that would be helpful):

*Fully recharge battery
*Before Storing, be sure that the batteries are clean and free of dirt that can collect moisture, creating a conductive path enabling a slow discharge.
*Store in a cold place
*Do not cover batteries with card board which will collect moisture
*Insulation terminal covers are recommended to prevent accidental shorting
*If stored on a boat disconnect the negative terminal to prevent parasitic drains from discharging the battery.
*If possible, recharge every 20-45 days

Hope this is useful.



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[BarryH]

Maybe I've been lucky. I haven't taken the batteries of the boat in 5 years. I've only ever charged them from a charger once. They're not super 'spensive marine jobbies. Just a couple of cheapo Equip 95Ah lesuire batteries that I picked up from a trade place that I have an account with. About 17 quid plus vat each I think.

All I've ever done is switch the battery switch to off. Made sure that the terminals have a healthy dose of petrolium jelly and wipe them over. They've always started the boat when I've wanted them to. I have no flashy battery management system just the alternater on the engine. If they go tits up, I'll go and spend another 34 quid plus vat on 2 more!

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[cool_running]

I was, self discharge goes much quicker in the cold,,, maybe you should define store in a cold place.........


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[tr7v8]

Quite agree, a suspect we are talking difference between cool & cold here. From my experience battery self discharge much worse when cold than warm.
James H what are they defining as COLD?

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[andyball]

self-discharge at 10 C is about half that at 20 C . Charging voltage would ideally be higher at lower temperatures.

But...capacity (useable Amp Hours) is reduced at lower temps, not by a huge amount at 10 C (say roughly 90% of maximum) and maybe under 80% at 0 C.

And starting ability reduces markedly with temperature too-rather more than capacity I feel, Exide claim 65% of normal at 0 C.

So self discharge is lower at low temp's, but that doesn't mean your engine will start better, but if you store a charged battery for months at low temp then test it at normal temp it will have lost less capacity than one stored at 20+ C.

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