I've got 2 VMAX MR137-120 12V 120AH AGM Deep Cycle Group 31 batteries for my trolling motor. Those suckers are heavy!!! Do I really have to take them out for winter. I live in New Hampshire.
I plan to disconnect the batteries. I am storing the boat near my house.
If needed, I have a NOCO Genius GEN3 30 Amp 3-Bank On-Board Battery Charger 30 amp.
I keep reading that a fully charged battery won't freeze until -72.
I have never taken the batteries out of my boat for winter.
I charge them the night before I put them away and that's it until spring.
" Talking to you is like clapping with one hand "
Anthrax
Getting ready to winterize already
Your a little late.......Winter is OVER. I store my boat outside every winter, I pull the batteries, charge them and store them on a shelf. In spring I put them back in, charge them and have encountered zero issues.Originally Posted by steelebob
ya i take them out every year, put them in basement on a shelf, charge them, every month, check them, and put a charge it them. been doing that for 40 years and never have trouble with my batterys. one thing make sure you clean them, top and sides,. brush post with wire brush
I drop my boat off at the boat yard every year for winterize, shrink wrap and storage. All those shrink wrapped boats you see in the yard.
They all have batteries still in them.
" Talking to you is like clapping with one hand "
Anthrax
I always leave them in, charge once a month and never had a problem. This year knowing I had brand new batteries I took the opportunity to get lazy and only charged them once a month ago, no problems. Weak batteries will freeze.Batteries low on water might also.
Fart proudly. Author, Benjamin Franklin.
1998 SKEETER ZX 202-C
150 V-Max TRP
MinnKota Ultrex-112. All paid with cash of course!
I leave them in and plugged in all winter. Got 5 years out of the last set.
2004 Ranger 521VX with 2019 Evinrude G2 250 H.O.
We do the same thing .... WOW !!!!
those damn things ain't getting any lighter Ev!
Fart proudly. Author, Benjamin Franklin.
1998 SKEETER ZX 202-C
150 V-Max TRP
MinnKota Ultrex-112. All paid with cash of course!
Leaving them charged and in the cold is better than in a warm house. No reason at all to remove them if you can keep them charged in the boat.
If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity,
nothing else matters.
Figured I'd update this since I just put my AGM battery on the charger for the first time this year.
Manufactured on 6-17
I charged it the middle of December and sat in my boat outside without charging until 5 minutes ago.
Its at 94% full.
" Talking to you is like clapping with one hand "
Anthrax
All ready fully charged.
" Talking to you is like clapping with one hand "
Anthrax
Same routine as TMG.....
For the first few year I would remove the Heavy batteries and store them in a non heated shed. Only took me a few years to figure out WT... So for the last 35 years of outside winter storage for my boats the batteries have done very well in the boat. I traditionally close the boat up around Thanksgiving. Fully charge all the batteries and never charge them again until early April. Usually takes about ten minutes to bring them to full charge in the spring. I'm happy, the batteries are happy!
Works for me.
Last year I changed to Lithium. One 125ah and two 100ah. Even though the Lithiums are considerably lighter they over wintered in the boat. The 125 stored @ 43% and the two 100s stored @ 63%. They did just as well as the lead/AGM batteries. Easily checked throughout the winter with a Bluetooth app. While the 125ah remained @ 43% and 13.1Vdc, the two 100ah dropped from 63% to 61% but remained @ 13.1Vdc.
Last edited by Ed R; 05-04-2020 at 05:53 AM.
Ed R.
2006 ChampioN 198 225 Optimax
Love them Ionics.
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