Yacht on the hard - what to do with batteries?

[svrevelations]

Our yacht is on the hard in Trinidad, we are in South Africa. Batteries are on board and connected - charged by MasterVolt charger. There is nobody on board and it will still be months before we will return.

What should I do with the batteries?
1. Disconnect them?
2. Leave them connected and getting charged by MasterVolt Charger?
3. Any other solution?

[Jim Cate]

Questions;

What kind of batteries?

Do you have any solar panels?

If so, what kind of regulator do you have?

Jim

[svrevelations]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Questions;

What kind of batteries?

Do you have any solar panels?

If so, what kind of regulator do you have?

Jim

2 x Battery banks
12 x Lifeline GPL-31XT (12 volt) batteries
4 x Lifeline GPL-31XT batteries

Charging
4 x Solara 140W solar panels
Mastervolt 24/100 charger (24 volt x 100 amps)
Mastervolt 12/35 charger (12 volt x 35 amps)
MasterVolt SCM60 MPPT-MB (60 amp) regulator

The 12 x GPL-31XT batteries are charged by solar panels and Mastervolt 24/100.
The 4 x GPL-31XT batteries are charged by Mastervolt 12/35 only - no solar.

[belizesailor]

Personally, I dont like leaving shore power connected (power surges/etc, lightning strike path, big mark up on elect cost by most marinas, potential increased electrolosis if in water, increased risk of fire, some bonehead always seems to disconnect...). So, I just step down the max charge volts on my solar controller a bit and leave it at that...house bank is now 12 years old.

Also with my set up I can automatically parallel in the start batts (2) based on house bank voltage (auto parallel at 13V). Very handy to keep starts alive. Your set up with mixed voltages is a bit more complex, but if you can sort out a way to parallel/trickle charge all banks that would be handy.

[Kenomac]

We unplug if there isn't someone around to occasionally plug it in for a day now and then.

[Tetepare]

FWIW I disconnect my batteries (group 24 & 28) for six plus months every year and they lasted 11 and 12 years, respectively. Granted, that's in winter when the batteries are cold.

[barnakiel]

Charge in full.

Disconnect.

Store in a cold, dry place.

b.

[Shrew]

We put out boat on the hard for 7 months a year during the winter. Our average winter temps are 20F (-6c) to 30F (-1c), however will often drop down to 0F (-17c). I also have Lifeline AGM batteries. I shut anything that draws 12 v off. I shut the battery switches off completely. I don't bother disconnecting batteries. The AGM batteries lose very little charge per month when they are at rest. When I return 7 months later, I turn battery switches on and everything 12v works, including the stereo.

I wouldn't leave shorepower plugged in. I don't want any draw that could potentially lead to fire.

[CSY Man]

. house bank is now 12 years old.

Rolls batteries?

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Charge in full.

Disconnect.

Store in a cold, dry place.

b.

Ha, my boat hasnt been in a cold dry place....ever. [emoji6]

[Cheechako]

I lean toward disconnect (remove cables) for the battery health. But the problem is you should have a garboard plug to remove or leave a bilge pump hooked up. You could end up with a much bigger problem than ruined batteries...

[captain58sailin]

I left mine connected to the solar panels with a charge controller (4) 8D sealed lead acid batteries, and all the power users switched off. We are on the hard, I guess, we will see if that was a smart move or not come spring.

[boatbod]

Do you need bilge pump capability while you are away? (I.e. Is boat in water or do you get rain water down the mast and into the bilges?) If so, you have to keep the batteries connected, otherwise disconnect them and they will be fine.

[Old Swampy]

We have one each group 24 and group 27 lead acid batteries. These go home where I can monitor their voltage/charge. Charging is convenient. Getting 'em up and down the ladder is not.

[seabreez]

Originally Posted by Revelations

Our yacht is on the hard in Trinidad, we are in South Africa. Batteries are on board and connected - charged by MasterVolt charger. There is nobody on board and it will still be months before we will return.

What should I do with the batteries?
1. Disconnect them?
2. Leave them connected and getting charged by MasterVolt Charger?
3. Any other solution?

I would charge them and then disconnect and then leave then sit for the time away. Upon return, top them up with a small charge and go!