It is the time of year when boat winterization is on everyone's minds. Most people bring their boats into the shop and have then winterized and stored for the winter. There are also some people who prefer to do their boats winterization on their own. If you opt to perform your own winterization, make sure that you do not forget about your boats battery. Batteries too need care and maintenance to provide you with long term and reliable service.During your boating season, the battery care includes checking to make sure that all the connections are tight, clean and greased. It is also ensuring that the acid isn't boiling away. Now that the end of the boating season is in sight, what should you do with your battery for winter storage?
Storing Your Boat
If you are storing your boat in the water for the winter months, you will have a whole different list of tips. Keeping the battery and area dry is the first one. You will need to switch off all breakers except the one for the bilge pump. A lot can happen to a boat that is stored in the water when not in use. Because of that you will need to regularly check on your boat at least once a week, and even more in bad weather. Keeping your battery charged is an important priority. You can do so by plugging into shore power and using an installed charger or a regulated battery maintainer. Performing an acid test should also be done. Do this by checking the electrolyte level of flooded batteries and top off with distilled water just enough to cover the plates.
Hauling Your Boat
If you are hauling your boat out for the winter, there are a few tips to help preserve its life. The first being charge it up. Once you have the battery charged, remove the negative cable and let it sit for a few hours before checking its status. When you do check on it using a hydrometer, verify that each cell has a specific gravity of between 1.21 and 1.28. If you do not have a hydrometer, you can use a voltmeter. A fully charged battery will read 12.5 volts. Throughout the winter, make sure to check the battery power once a month to ensure that it is keeping its charge.
Using these helpful tips will ensure that your battery will last through the off season making it easier and faster for you to hit the water in the spring. For further information on battery storage, click here.
