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wrote:
Popular widsom has it that the batteries should be removed from the
boat before winteer storage. The boat will be stored outside, here in
Montreal,.

Question is, why can the batteries not be left in the boat if they are
fully charged before the winter and charged again in the spring?

Many thanks in advance

Matt

Because, in Montreal, they can self discharge, freeze solid, burst
the case, thaw, leak weak acid, and eat a hole in the bottom of your
boat?

Well, probably not, but a trickle charger all winter might help with
the self discharge problem. A battery left all winter can easily
self discharge so it will be of little use in the spring.

I have left new, charged batteries on the boat, diconnected, and
very clean on top, over winter in middle New Brunswick, and I did go
out in December or January or February to charge them. Results seem
random, when they are ready to go, they go.

The best scheme for me seemed to be a clock timer switch that
charged them for about half an hour every day. Left it plugged in
all winter, power failure or no, they seemed ok, and there was
always light available in the boat for visits, etc.

I have brought batteries indoors, on the concrete floor in my cool,
heated basement, on planks, in buckets, left them alone, checked and
charged weelky, or just trickle charged and have had them turn up
dead in the spring, I mean permanently dead. Old batteries with bad
attitudes only last 4 or 5 years in Canada, you should know that.
I'm convinced they have suicide timers inside, to make sure we keep
buying batteries. The newer ones, shaped like a 6 pack of toilet
paper are said to be better, but by whom?

The best reason to bring them in is so that they are easily
accessible for servicing, you can use them for a boost if the car
battery dies, or for a little power for the pellet stove if the
hydro is out, or for some emergency welding, using coat hangar wire.
Clean, dry tops seems the most important thing, followed by
monitoring, trickle charging, and steam distilled water
replenishment. Buy and learn to love a hydrometer, it will que your
actions.

Terry K