It's not practical for me to remove my 'house' batteries since they total
500 lb. So I leave the automatic charger on float.. I need to any way since
my frig, water pump and all my lights are on 12 volts and I want them
available when ever I visit the boat.

For the engine battery, I replace my engine battery every spring. In fact in
this boat I have two engine batteries and I replace one each year, even if
it is in good condition.. (I have (9) other engines at home that could use
a 1yo battery, while the boat engine deserves the newest and best battery).


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

On Tue, 11 Nov 2003 09:56:47 -0800, "Steve" wrote:
It's not practical for me to remove my 'house' batteries since they total
500 lb.

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This is a common problem and most people that I know just give them a
good charge, disconnect everything, and wait for spring. My batteries
have survived this scenario for three years in the NT/CT area with no
damage. Winter temperatures here rarely go below zero but car
batteries in upstate NY regularly survive temperatures down to -30 and
-40.