Winterizing question

[Musicaltrees]

Question; I'm winterizing for several months on the hard in Virginia. My solar panel typically keeps my batteries charged while cruising. Should I disconnect battery bank or leave solar to keep them topped for 5 months?

Also have lots of canned food on board. Am I asking for trouble if I leave them? Will they freeze and explode and make a huge mess? Probably should donate. I figure it will be OK to leave the wine and rum. Any thoughts ?

[delmarrey]

Yeah! Pull the cans and anything else that contains water. The liquors my survive but why chance it.

Have you drained all your water lines, pumps and toilet, or flushed with RV antifreeze?

[Stu Jackson]

If your solar system is solid and has a good controller, why would you even consider disconnecting it? Are you going to be able to visit regularly?

[tkeithlu]

As with your water lines, it's not just a night of sub freezing that you're going to experience. Protected in the boat, they have the opportunity to cold soak and then stay close to that before the next night arrives with another temperature below the freezing point of beef stew. In any case, those food cans should be used this winter and replaced with fresh stuff next spring. Only the liquor has an unlimited shelf life.

[Mike OReilly]

As for the freezing issue, it really depends on how cold, and for how long, it gets. If temps are going to go below freezing for extended periods, then definitely get those cans off. But more importantly, you should be winterizing all the plumbing and most importantly, the engine heat exchanger (raw water) system.

As for the battery question, it really depends on the amount of solar you're going to get. I suspect you'd be fine leaving it connected since you're way down south there. I tried the same thing one season up here in Ontario, and came back to dead batteries in the Spring.

[DeepFrz]

You mean the peaches freeze?

[rognvald]

No problem leaving your batteries connected in your boat. Be certain they are topped up with distilled water. The solar charger is a good idea. Be certain it is well secured. Good luck and safe sailing.