On 10/30/10 3:14 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Sat, 30 Oct 2010 14:27:53 -0400, Secular Humouresque
wrote:

On 10/30/10 1:33 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Sat, 30 Oct 2010 10:46:21 -0400, Secular Humouresque
wrote:

I like to take 'em home to clean 'em up, slow charge them and keep them
reasonably warm over the winter. I put a slow trickle charge on once a
month, and also a charge on 'em just before I return to the boat.

A lot of diesel starting batteries weigh over 100 lbs, much too heavy
to cart them around unnecessarily. Our trawler has a pair of 8Ds
which are not uncommon, about 140 lbs each. I have to rig a block
and tackle from the engine room overhead just to lift them into place.

Let us know how you make out.


Yeah, I've been wondering whether I really want to do that. The
shrinkwrap guy says he can rig a "door" out of plastic so I can get into
the boat during the winter if needed. But I doubt the boat will be close
enough on the hard to run an extension cord to the charger to the
batteries. I might be able to run the charger off my little honda gas
generator and run a cord up from the ground to the charger.

That's what I'd do, and the zipper door is a good idea in any case.
We used to do that with our old Bertram up north. The shrinkwrap
provided a lot of solar heating so it was fairly comfortable on the
boat even in cold weather - good for getting winter projects done.

You'll find that the batteries won't need much charging as long as
they are completely switched off or disconnected.


What? Even the bilge pumps are disconnected? :)