Battery Charges

[Geekie1]

Hi Parishht,

Before putting my boat up for the winter, I disconnect all of the electrical cables to my two batteries. I then charge up the batteries fully with a conventional 12 V battery charger. After the batteries are fully charged, I connect a Guest Battery Pal to keep the batteries fully charged through the winter. Battery Pals ($25?) are a low current device that will keep the batteries at a full charge without overcharging. Battery Pals do need to be plugged into 110V AC in order to work.

I don't know where you live, however if it gets cold enough to freeze you need to keep the batteries charged or they definitely will!! Conventional lead/acid batteries electrolyte will go from acid to water if left to discharge and water will then freeze and destroy the battery plates.

If you keep your boat in salt water, and you decide to install an onboard built-in charger, make sure it is installed correctly. If installed incorrectly, and not grounded properly you could set up an electrolysis situation which could destroy your outdrive or lower unit in just a few weeks.

I carry a portable emergency battery in case of starting problems on the water.

Ed G.