New AGM Batteries - Winter Storage

[max-on]

Thanks TB. I'm on the dock now at Brewers Cowesett, so I can easily charge them before haul out. Maybe I'll just leave them on the boat; I just paranoid because they are new and were expensive.

[TrueBlue]

Don't forget to disconnect them directly after fully charging at the dock. There is some current loss through the cables.

For peace of mind, say at the end of January, it wouldn't hurt to plug in your onboard charger attached to a boat yard outlet, using an extension cord with a 120 volt adapter. I used to do this once every winter with my old boat, which had group 27 banks.

[max-on]

That is what I was thinking; easier than removing them and then getting them back on the boat; and I already have a 'pig-tail adaptor' to connect the boat shore power outlet to the extension cord!!

[max-on]

Here is another discussion I found informative:

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36634

As to solar chargers and AGMs, I understood that because of the low self-discharge rate of AGMs that you should have a 'smart' regulator, even for a small trickle-charge panel.

[Cruisingdad]

I know the people at Lifeline if you want to speak to them direct.

However, you should be fine leaving them in freezing temps over winter disconnected. I left mine in my dock box froom about Oct to March. PUlled them out and they barely needed any charge at all. You are more than welcome to verify this with Lifeline. Keeping a charge on them is not a bad idea, but not nearly as imperative as with wets.

Welcome to another great benefit of AGM's... the only bat I will have on my boat.

- CD

[Bill Mc]

I have mine in my boat year round. I also have a smart charger and leave the boat hooked up to shore power during the winter. No problems thus far.

Fair Winds,

Bill

[max-on]

Thanks. CD, I'll take your word for it. I have the ability to use a solar panel with a plug already on the stern as the previous owner had a wind generator on the boat, although I think I would need a regulator (Alex, no comments, it's the cruising version after all!).