Another battery charger question

[Evil Sports]

My boat is stored outside shrink wrapped and I leave the 3 batteries in it. I have one of these charges on board and wondered if I leave it plugged in is that a bad thing to do. I figured if I keep the batteries charged being out in the cold wont really hurt them

 

[Julian]

@ChargerGuy may have an opinion on that.

I always take my batteries out and put them in my shed where I have them on a Craftsman charger with a timer on it (a trick I learned from someone here). The Craftsman is a trickle charger, but someone said always charging can be a problem, and that putting a timer on it so it only runs for a short period once a day is preferable. I don't recall the technobabble as to why....

 

[Bruce]

What kind of batteries do you have?

Lead acid batteries require ventilation. Without it corrosive gasses and hydrogen can build up.

I would either bring them inside or fully charge then disconnect them.

 

[Evil Sports]

They are lead acid, I have 2 vents in the top of the shrink wrap. I plugged it in yesterday AM so it woudl be fully charged by now. I was under the impression that ProSport 20 would go into a maintain mode and it would be fine leaving it like that for a while but I really dont know shit about this stuff

 

[rkluck]

My boat batteries are sealed and I have a trickle charger on both batteries all winter with the batteries in the boat. I do turn the main switches off. I actually do this with my riding lawnmower and motorcycles as well (vented). I have never had any problems and everything cranks right up!

 

[soggyshoes]

Those ProSport chargers are designed to maintain the battery. I have one that was left hooked up to a ProSport for over a year without a problem.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

That charger will do just fine for ever. I would be concerned about the corrosive off gassing staying low in the bilge and causing corrosion to exposed metal.

 

[Evil Sports]

How often or when does this off gassing occur

 

[Murf'n'surf]

During every charge cycle.

 

[Evil Sports]

So if I leave the charger on and its in maintain mode does that mean its not cycling

 

[Murf'n'surf]

It will cycle every so often to maintain the proper charge. It's not charging 24/7.

 

[Evil Sports]

So is it worse to plugged it in once a month or just leave it plugged in

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Just leave it in, that's the best way.

 

[Island Jay]

The best way to store a set of batteries in the winter.
Keep above freezing
Vented area, garage, etc.
Smart charger connected ( not a trickle charger )

The prosport 20+ is one of the most popular models that I sell. Aside that it is ok to keep them charged in 24/7 over the winter. A trickle charger is not "smart" and will not stop sending out current. They have been known to over charge batteries from time to time.

 

[Evil Sports]

Aside that it is ok to keep them charged in 24/7 over the winter.

Huh??

 

[Island Jay]

You can keep the prosport plugged in and connected to your batteries 24/7 with no need to unplug it, ever. Just make sure the area they are stored is vented.

 

[Geiger41]

Should I throw my 2010 wrangler battery on my charger for the upcoming winter?? To possibly load it up for the severe weather ?

 

[Island Jay]

As in for your wrangler jeep? Are you asking generally with a regular auto charger or do you have the prosport that is in discussion?

Either way I would make sure it is a smart charger so it will not over charge. I really do not deal much with automotive chargers. They are similar, but there are differences.

 

[Geiger41]

I actually have a MINNKOta dual bank. Right now I have both boat batteries hooked up for the winter. I figured it couldn't hurt hooking up the battery to re charge it up

 

[latitudeadjuster]

I have a question. I just got one of these prosport.....$98 on groupon free shipping....thru ebates for more savings 6%....just wanted to tell about that deal.

Now, currently I have the Yamaha 2 battery switch....do I want to loose all that and install the prosport charge and that's all? Of can I leave the Yamaha switch and that configuration attached. I am assuming I want to take all that off and just install the prosport??