When to Trickle Charge

[Drago]

We don't get all that many days of freezing weather here. It can sometimes get into the single digits for short periods but mostly mid twenties. At what point, when getting little use, should one consider putting the battery of the boat on a charger of some type. I have two. One a normal one that will charge a weak battery quickly and then drop to a dribble. The other is a 1.5 amp trickle charge I got from Sears many years ago. What say you folks - aka "X Spurts"?

[partybarge21]

Where I live we get the really freezing weather in late January early February. As far as my two batteries, I took them out of the boat and they are sitting in my garage on wooden boards on a wooden work bench. This way they won't drain quickly as if they were on concrete or a metal table. Because we will only go to the house once in January and once in Febuary I will trickel charge the batteries while we are there. This way they will not completely drain due to the weather. I also have a charger that can do a deep charge, a quick charge for starting and a trickle charge. I would like to hear what others have to say. I would like to know whether to use the trickle charge or deep charge while the batteries are out of the boat.

[WaltF]

Actually, batteries on concret isnt a problem anymore...not for many years..
http://www.thebatteryterminal.com/TechT ... ncrete.htm
Ya wanna keep your batteries 100% charged when not in use...and in the warm garage.

look here for more info then you wanted to know
Mostly about rv's and deep cycle batteries, but good info.
http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm

[badmoonrising]

Yeah batteries discharging on concrete floors went out when batteries went to plastic cases. I remove all my batteries (the PC has 4, Starcraft 2 plus 1 for the dinghy).

Our winter temps average 35 degrees, but we have days when it drops into the teens. I trickle charge them upon removal and every month over the winter. All that is needed is a trickle charge when they are in storage.

Never use tap water to fill them, always use distilled water. Well water is notorious for killing batteries due to it's metal content (mostly iron).

I have a Guest dual charger (the kind that are normally permanently installed). It does two batteres at a time.

[lakerunner]

I use a battery maintainer. When boat isn't floating it is plugged in. It also has a (excuse spelling) a desulfacator ( told ya) that vibrates the plates to keep buildup clear. It cost I believe $42.00

[bug73]

It also has a (excuse spelling) a desulfacator ( told ya) that vibrates the plates to keep buildup clear. It cost I believe $42.00

Your the first one I have heard of that uses a desulfator beside me lakerunner...I have actually saved old batteries fromthe graveyard by using one. I built mine from some plans online but I do believe they work. I had one tested before I used the desulfator and it tested bad. Desulfated it for like 3 months over the winter and it then tested good at the same auto parts store.

Walt is right keeping them on concrete is not a worry anymore. The plastic cases keep them from discharging IF they are clean.

ANYHOW...

I alternate trickle chrging and desulfating...My desulfator doesnt like it when you are charging the battery it is hooked to so I suually alternate every other month while the battery is out of the boat. in the summer, I USUALLY use the boat weekly so I dont worry about it then but I use to also have a solar trickle charger I would put on it during the summer but it got broke during the move and I just have not replaced it.

Walts sites are good and here are a couple of more about batteries...

Anything and everything about batteries
http://www.engineersedge.com/battery/ba ... menu.shtml

Desulfator circuit info http://home.comcast.net/~ddenhardt20126 ... desulf.htm

More Battery info http://www.alton-moore.net/batteries.html

[badmoonrising]

Thanks, building a desulfation pulse generator has been added to my to do list

[bug73]

Ive built 2...scrounged around and looked for parts and pieces for the first one for 2 weeks or more. Used it for like 2 months, then I found out they dont like chargers hooked to the battery at the same time they are hooked to the battery...lots of smoke and stinky burning electronics smell and lots of black carbon on the board.

Built a second one...this time I ordered the kit that the guy puts together in the desulfator link. It came with all parts. Soldered everything up in about 10 mins...it was WAY more easier to have someone else look for and get the parts for me...LOL

[WaltF]

FYI, i use a Black n Decker smart charger to take care of all my batteries.
Its a 4/10/20/40 amp 3-stage smart charger.
It will float, do desulfating and equalizing.
It rocks!
Picked it up at WallyWorld for around $90.
http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGu ... ctID=15580

[toondog]

i have have this one. http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGu ... ctID=15577
really do like it.

[dockholiday]

http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Batter ... m#Starting, Marine, and Deep-Cycle Batteries

Ran across this link while looking for inverters. Looks like it might have some good info.