Keeping my FLA batteries topped up during 6 months Winter storage in the Med

[john61ct]

Not ideal.

Sitting at a voltage level where no bubbling is happening, is by definition lower than is healthy for longevity.

At minimum for FLA, get a good top charge with bubbling twice a month.

There are specialist chargers that automate these routines, usually low amps but in this case that's OK.

IMO no expensive bank should be just left without human attention for six months, too risky.

For good longevity, they really should do a good full cycle at least once a month.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Not ideal.

Sitting at a voltage level where no bubbling is happening, is by definition lower than is healthy for longevity.

At minimum for FLA, get a good top charge with bubbling twice a month.

There are specialist chargers that automate these routines, usually low amps but in this case that's OK.

IMO no expensive bank should be just left without human attention for six months, too risky.

For good longevity, they really should do a good full cycle at least once a month.

Hi John ,I realise that it's not ideal but cruising isnt the ideal environment batteries. The best approach is to get as close to ideal as possible.

When I purchased my Trojans they were at 50% soc, 100' s of them sitting in storage , that's the best I could do, no doubt they weren't as good as they were straight if straight of the production line.

I found that with aggressive charging over the next few mths they came up quite well, I bet their not like new but they definitely got to cruising full.

I figure giving them a steady float charge for 4-6mths is better than leaving them self discharge and should have minimum electrolyte loss. It's trying to find a balance in a non perfect situation. Running them dry is definitely what I want to avoid.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Not ideal.

Sitting at a voltage level where no bubbling is happening, is by definition lower than is healthy for longevity.

At minimum for FLA, get a good top charge with bubbling twice a month.

There are specialist chargers that automate these routines, usually low amps but in this case that's OK.

IMO no expensive bank should be just left without human attention for six months, too risky.

For good longevity, they really should do a good full cycle at least once a month.

Hi John ,I realise that it's not ideal but cruising isnt the ideal environment batteries. The best approach is to get as close to ideal as possible.

When I purchased my Trojans they were at 50% soc, 100' s of them sitting in storage , that's the best I could do, no doubt they weren't as good as they were straight if straight of the production line.

I found that with aggressive charging over the next few mths they came up quite well, I bet their not like new but they definitely got to cruising full.

I figure giving them a steady float charge for 4-6mths is better than leaving them self discharge and should have minimum electrolyte loss. It's trying to find a balance in a non perfect situation. Running them dry is definitely what I want to avoid.

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by john61ct

At minimum for FLA, get a good top charge with bubbling twice a month.

There are specialist chargers that automate these routines, usually low amps but in this case that's OK.

John,
Do you have any examples off hand of the specialty automated chargers? Are any of these able to be used in conjunction w/solar vs. plugged in to an outside electrical source?

Would be nice to find such a charger if we ever need to put our boat in storage for several months.


Bill O.

[john61ct]

Not offhand, but all mains AC based.

Have a look at CTEK, Optimate?

A good solar SC will be adjustable to just get to Full but not hold Absorb too long,

I think Victron has a minimum AHT at daily startup , should be fine to keep the bank at Full, but not long enough to start bubbling. . .

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by daletournier

It's trying to find a balance in a non perfect situation. Running them dry is definitely what I want to avoid.

Yes of course do best you can, if a trustworthy human is not available to top up, then just need to accept risks of hardware failure, and losing some longevity using lower SoC settings.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by daletournier

So, if the solar regs are programmed to stay in float mode will wet lead acids be fine for 6 mths without needing to top up the water.

If they are not bubbling which they won't be if held at 13.2v-13.4v I'm assuming they'll be fine?

While not idea, personally I think they will be find. Heck I barely add water monthly with a charging cycle that does 4 hours of absorption each day.

It’s just another practical cruiser thing compared to the book correct answer that is meaningless in real world.