Unfortunately, many owners will say goodbye to their boats for the winter once the summer and fall boating seasons are done. However, storing boat batteries doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if they are lithium batteries. We’ll look at why it would be a bad idea to leave boat batteries in a boat throughout the winter in more detail.
How to Maintain Your Batteries During the Winter
Batteries are not impervious to the elements, as anyone who has had one will attest. Almost all types will be impacted by either cold or extremely hot weather. This is valid for both marine and conventional vehicle batteries, including those used in boats.
In some circumstances, these problems might vary from a slight annoyance to an expensive replacement or repair. This is why it’s so important to keep your boat and batteries properly maintained and stored throughout the year. So, can you leave batteries on your boat throughout the winter without risk?
Can You Leave Marine Batteries on Your Boat in Freezing Conditions?
Technically, it is acceptable to leave your batteries in the boat during extremely chilly winter weather. Due to the possibility of damage or further maintenance, it’s typically not advised. A lead-acid marine battery that has been exposed to extreme cold may break or become completely discharged.
During the winter, you might need to visit your boat frequently to make sure everything is well. Additionally, people who utilize conventional lead-acid batteries ought to use a battery tender or maintenance. By keeping them charged and preventing a freeze-up, these safeguard your battery.
- These gadgets are battery-powered and gradually release a small amount of energy. This hardly makes up for the energy loss that cold weather causes naturally.
- Smart technology is also used in battery maintainers to help prevent overcharging batteries. Batteries should be unplugged from all boat wiring, even when using a maintainer.
Moving and Storing Your Marine Batteries in the Winter
The majority of boaters believe that it is not worth it to leave batteries on a boat throughout the winter if it means experiencing subfreezing temperatures and the potential for damage.
You should, at the very least, unplug your batteries from the power supply. The majority of marine battery users, including boaters, may have a battery disconnect switch within their vessel. These may stop the battery from getting electricity.
Some systems may be disabled as a result, but others deemed crucial (such carbon monoxide alarms or emergency sensors) may continue to use power. For this reason, it’s crucial to completely disconnect marine batteries over extended periods of idleness. It prevents a gradual and continuous loss of energy.
The easiest approach to store marine batteries during cold weather is to entirely remove them and, if you can, maintain them above freezing.
Removing batteries also ensures that they maintain the right temperature and are protected from any potential harsh weather throughout the winter.
Additionally, it enables you to store them in a location where it is simpler to maintain a trickle charger on them. Remember that lead-acid batteries can release gasses and should not be kept in a living environment; instead, they should be kept in a well-ventilated place.
