As boating season comes to a close, it’s time to prepare your boat for the colder months, including proper boat battery storage for winter. However, before storing your boat for winter, you must take steps to winterize it so it will be ready to go when spring arrives. This includes ensuring you store and maintain your battery properly so you don’t start the boating season with a dead battery next year. While easy to overlook, boat battery storage for winter is crucial for preserving the health and lifespan of your marine batteries. Read on to learn how proper winter battery storage and maintenance can set you up for a smooth start next season.
Why Proper Boat Battery Storage for Winter Matters
Like any vehicle battery, a boat’s battery needs regular maintenance to function optimally. Marine batteries are particularly vulnerable during cold months. Freezing temperatures can lead to self-discharge, reduced performance, or even physical damage. Without proper preparation, you may face issues like frozen battery cells or a cracked casing when spring rolls around. Removing the battery from your boat and storing it in a controlled environment shields it from such risks.
Best Practices for Boat Battery Storage for Winter
To maximize the longevity of your marine battery and ascertain that it is ready when spring arrives, there are a few steps that you should take before storing it for winter, including:
Charging and Testing the Battery
The first thing that you should do when preparing your battery for winter is to make sure that it has a full charge. A fully charged battery will be more resilient against cold temperatures (and less likely to freeze), which can help ensure your battery is healthy and ready to go come spring. Once your battery is charged, this is also a good time to test your battery to make sure that it is still in good condition. There’s no point in storing and maintaining a dead battery all winter. A healthy battery should show a voltage of 12.6V when fully charged. If your voltage is low, it may be time to consider replacing your boat’s battery before spring (a voltage below 11.9V usually indicates a dead battery).
Disconnecting the Battery
Once your battery is charged, your next step will be to fully disconnect it from the boat. Even if you live in a moderate climate where you can store your battery in the boat (more on this later), leaving it plugged into the boat can cause it to discharge due to parasitic draw from any electronics that remain connected. This can slowly damage your battery and potentially cause charging issues next season.
Inspecting the Battery for Damage and Wear
Once your battery is disconnected, remove it and take a moment to check it for signs of damage or corrosion. The fact is that boat batteries are subjected to a lot of vibration, and they may even bounce around at high speeds, which can lead to damage. Check for obvious signs of damage, such as cracks or bulging, as this could indicate it is time to replace your battery. Check the terminals for signs of dirt or corrosion, as your battery may need cleaning. Even if you don’t see any buildup, it’s usually a good idea to clean your battery’s terminals before storage using a wire brush and a baking soda and water solution. This will remove any buildup and prevent corrosion.
Removing Your Battery for Storage
Once you’ve verified that your battery is charged, clean, and in good condition for next season, it’s time to remove it from your boat for storage. Unless you live in a temperate climate where winter temperatures rarely reach freezing, or you plan on storing your boat indoors in a temperature-controlled environment, you mustn’t make the mistake of storing your battery on your boat during winter. Exposing your battery to freezing temperatures can cause long-term damage and even leave you with a dead battery come spring.
How Can I Prevent Winter Battery Issues?
Once you remove your battery from your boat, you must store and maintain it properly to prevent battery issues this winter. Here are a few basic tips for maintaining your boat battery this winter:
Store it in a Cool, Dry Place
The most important thing you can do to protect your battery this winter is to find a safe place to store it where it won’t be exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures. The fact is that batteries don’t like temperature extremes. While we’ve talked about the dangers of exposing your battery to freezing temperatures, excessive heat can also cause damage. Ideally, shoot to store your battery in a dry place where the temperature will consistently be above 32°F and below 80°F. Unless your garage is fairly dry and temperature-controlled, it will likely be best to store your battery somewhere in your home.
Keep Them Accessible
Unless you plan on using a battery maintainer, you must choose a place to store your battery where it will be easily accessible. This will make it easier to test and charge your battery throughout winter, ensuring that it will be ready when spring arrives.
Use a Block of Wood
If you will store your battery in a garage, shed, or storage unit, do not set it directly on the concrete floor. Concrete tends to be cold, and it may expose your battery to moisture because concrete slabs “sweat” at times. Instead, place your battery on a wooden block, as this will help insulate it and protect it from moisture.
Charge Your Battery Monthly
Even when disconnected from your boat, your battery will still lose charge over time. To prevent your battery from dying completely during the winter, make sure that you charge it at least once a month. This is necessary for your battery’s health, and it will also guarantee that your battery is ready to go when boating season returns. To make battery maintenance easier, consider investing in a trickle charger. This will remove much of the hassle of winter battery maintenance, as a trick charger will ensure your battery always maintains an optimal charge level without overcharging.
Contact Trident Marine Group for More Winter Boat Maintenance Tips
By prioritizing proper boat battery storage for winter, you safeguard your marine battery’s performance and extend its life. With these steps, your boating season can start seamlessly when warmer weather returns.
If you’re looking for winter boat storage in Annapolis, consider checking out the marinas by Trident Marine Group. Not only do we offer secure, state-of-the-art boat storage facilities, but we also provide winterization and battery maintenance services that will ensure your boat is ready to go come spring.