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Old 08-05-2015, 11:13   #1
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batteries and solar panels when on the hard unattended

We'll be storing our boat on the hard in San Carlos Mexico for 6 months or greater. I'm not sure what to do about the 6 6 volt lead acid batteries and the two solar panels. Do I completely disconnect the batteries after a full charge or leave the solar panel and regulator up and running? Or do I just leave a small amount of the cells uncovered and open to the sun to give the batteries a trickle charge? I'll obviously fill them up with water before we leave but I'm not sure what most folks do regarding leaving the boat when it comes to solar and the batteries.
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Old 08-05-2015, 12:06   #2
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Re: batteries and solar panels when on the hard unattended

Leave one panel in place to keep the batteries charged, power ventilation fans and run the bilge pump. Yes, the boat can fill up with water when left on jackstands. Preferably leave it in a yard not prone to theft and pay someone to check on it at least once a month. Take the sails off and store them inside, roller furlers in particular have a tendency to unfurl and cause problems.

If you have a lot of expensive stuff inside and are at high risk for theft get a storage unit and put the expensive stuff in the storage unit along with the cushions which tend to get moldy even with ventilation. Strip the deck down and secure things as though preparing for a hurricane. Don't leave hatches partially open, water will get in for sure and so will thieves.
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Old 08-05-2015, 12:40   #3
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Re: batteries and solar panels when on the hard unattended

There was another post just yesterday about battery storage for the same period in a hot climate.

Advice was was expressed about the ability of the batteries to hold water over that long a period in that heat.

I'll see if I can find it, probably under electrical right?

Later - I looked, couldn't find it. Maybe someone else will remember and post the link, sorry...
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Old 10-05-2015, 19:19   #4
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Re: batteries and solar panels when on the hard unattended

One winter in Ontario I left my batteries in the boat connected to a small 0.5 amp solar panel. When I checked them after two weeks, the water level was well down. I could only surmise in the low humidity that the constant charging was causing the acid/water to evaporate.


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Old 10-05-2015, 19:31   #5
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Re: batteries and solar panels when on the hard unattended

Found it.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...cs-145767.html
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Old 10-05-2015, 19:45   #6
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Re: batteries and solar panels when on the hard unattended

Thanks, df.

Hope that helps the OP.
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