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.