Battery Charging

animoul

New Member
Joined
May 2, 2024
Messages
8
I just removed my lead acid battery for winter storage; currently stored in heated basement (~60F) and plan to keep it there for the winter (4-5 months).

Question: what is best course of action to keep it maintained for the winter? Hooking up to battery charger once/month for a few hours OR placing on a trickle charger?

For the past 3yrs, I kept the battery in place in the trailer but figured not a good plan as temps in my part of VT are sustained <32F for weeks - months - at a time.

Thanks in advance as I know this is oft asked question.
 
Last edited:
If the battery is fully charged and the top is clean, I would put it on a rubber mat or piece of plywood and let it sit there until Spring.

For that short period of time it won't discharge much if at all. Requires no maintenance.

73
Bob, K4TAX
 
Leave it on the trailer. Fully charge it then disconnect one battery cable. Come back in the spring and recharge the 5% that it lost over the winter.
My previous set of batteries lasted 10 years doing it that way over the winter with temps below -10C
 
The colder the air around the battery, the lower the self discharge.
Storing on wood or rubber is an old myth too. It was true when batteries were made with tar cases but now days plastic doesn't conduct.
 

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