Batteries- over the winter

[pair of jacks]

What's the concensus about removing your batteries over the winter. I usually do but a friend of mine says he disconnects his, leaves them on the boat and in the spring they are fine. Meanwhile, I've been hauling mine off the boat and trickle charging them once a month over the winter before putting them back on in the spring. Thing is that it's a major pain removing them due to the extremely cramped console access on the 21- you basically have to lie on your stomach and try to lift a 45 lb. battery out over wiring and such. Not easy. I used to be able to remove the tackle storage locker in the front of the console and lift straight up, put some of the screws stripped out over the years and the locker is now epoxyed in and can not be removed for access.
So do you guys remove batteries or not??

[FishStretcher]

Yes, I do. If it manages to (self) discharge fully, it can freeze and split the case, which is a big mess. Less likely in NJ than the great white north up here, though.

[Old'sCool]

Mine stay plugged into a Guest onboard charger always. I never remove them.

[pelican]

i do not remove batteries - i disconnect them,and in the spring,they're charged and load tested...

[htillman]

I like others leave mine in and always keep them charged with the onboard trickle charger.

[dcobbett]

I take them out every winter (late October, early November), check fluid levels and top off if/as required after about 1 month inside, slow charge a few weeks later, then check fluid and charge before I re-install in the spring, then I put a note on my calender (mid August) to check the fluid levels, I then start the process all over again in the fall.

[oldfielder]

Mine come in the basement and get charged every month

[bigeasy1]

I always remove both batteries and store them inside the basement over the winter.I check them a couple of times and throw the charger on just to bring them up to full charge if needed.It's been working fine this way,and I manage to get several years out of my batteries.
On the other hand friends of mine just leave them in the boat with a battery maintainer on them and it works good for them,even up in the cold New England winter,so who knows.

The important thing is not to let them discharge if you leave them in the boat in bitter winter climates.As mentioned they can freeze and cause the case to split.
Now, if only they could invent a battery that only weighs about 5 pounds,that would make me very happy.

[77SceptreOB]

Originally Posted by oldfielder

Mine come in the basement and get charged every month

X2