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Tending Dual Batteries

I have never bothered with a battery tender. I charge the batteries when winterizing and they are still charged in the spring. It would be better to remove them and bring them inside where its warm, but my current batteries are 4 years old and, so far, still good. I guess the bottom line is, If you feel better with a battery tender then do it, but if you don't, you will probably be OK as long as the batteries are charged.
 
Old Navy said:
I have never bothered with a battery tender. I charge the batteries when winterizing and they are still charged in the spring. It would be better to remove them and bring them inside where its warm, but my current batteries are 4 years old and, so far, still good. I guess the bottom line is, If you feel better with a battery tender then do it, but if you don't, you will probably be OK as long as the batteries are charged.
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thats the best advice i have heard on this thread so far! if a battery is fully charged it can't freeze and should keep a charge for at least six months.
 
ross said:
thats the best advice i have heard on this thread so far! if a battery is fully charged it can't freeze and should keep a charge for at least six months.
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I was unaware that you performed an independent test documenting the results of a "tended" marine battery vs. a "non tended" marine battery in subfreezing conditions...;)

Also, I agree that a charged battery (assuming it is healthy) should last quite a while without tending/charging. I choose not to depend on the should theory, wrong as I may be.

I got into the habbit of "tending" batteries in the winter when I was riding motorcycles. Those little batteries just couln't keep a charge for that long. I continued the trend into my boats, because when spring rolls around the last thing I want to do is fuss with a bad battery.

Then there is the issue of "Starting Batteries" vs. "Deep Cycle" etc. ect. etc.

I didn't intend on starting a debate. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to melt my batteries in the back of my Checkmate.

Let the chit start to rain.

HD:cheers:
 
sorry man! i didn't mean to get you going:o .......
i am a electrician by trade and take care of some very critical generators..
(911) being one of many. that being said ALL of our genies have tenders on them because they are life or death! a 12 volt battery(if charged and good) WILL last at LEAST 6months in any condition and should be fine through a winter in a boat!!!!! i have seen it many many times. i guess thats my 2cent and take it for what it's worth. i was trying to help you out:confused:
 
It's cool man..

Lately it has been hard to tell if someone is telling you your post is worthless or trying to help you.

But back on topic, as an Electrician, do you agree with the diagram in TE's post?

Thanks.

HD:cheers:
 
hotdaddy27 said:
During the summer my boat rarely sits long enough for the batteries to dip below 12V, so I don't have a regular need for the charger. Also, I have not been able to find a "real" charger that shuts off automatically like a tender does.

This is for winterizing only. I should have been more clear.

Thanks.

HD
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Back in those days no-one used a boat then the kid.I only worked 2 days a week.But with a 16 amp charging system and rockin system on board I would plug that bitch in any where any time!:surf:
 
hotdaddy27 said:
It's cool man..

Lately it has been hard to tell if someone is telling you your post is worthless or trying to help you.

But back on topic, as an Electrician, do you agree with the diagram in TE's post?

Thanks.

HD:cheers:
Click to expand...

yes i do...... but i could be on here for hours trying to explain how you can hook batteries up in "series, or parrallel" and what you can do w/ tenders and other things.....i.e cappacitors blah blah blah:thumb: electricity is a funny thing! i guess my end-all answere would be hook up the tender if it helps you sleep at night! but in my opinion it is not needed. i charge my batteries to FULL and them un hook them and bring them inside where it is warm or the winter........no i don't have to but it is my piece of mind:cheers: agian it is my opinion and everyone has one;) -ross-
 
Ross

This one is gonna send you over the edge....my boat never gets below 50* in my heated garage so technically they are always inside....LOL

Nothing wrong with overkill I suppose. LOL

:cheers:
 
merc245 said:
Back in those days no-one used a boat then the kid.I only worked 2 days a week.But with a 16 amp charging system and rockin system on board I would plug that bitch in any where any time!:surf:
Click to expand...

Oh I remember those damn 16amp chargers. With EFI forget it, what a pain.

That is one thing I really enjoy about the new generation of motors, they charge like a car.

Hey did you pull that powerhead yet?
 
This is not about the battery keeping a charge for one season, it's about a battery keeping a charge for MULTIPLE seasons so you don't have to buy a new one every three years or sooner. I agree that a battery will hold a charge over the winter, but without the battery being maintained, chemical damage is slowly done inside the battery that is VERY hard to reverse. Over a period of years this will kill your battery.

http://www.wisegeek.com/how-does-sulfation-drain-a-battery.htm

That's just one example, search 'sulfation' and there's many more.

This is also the reason tenders/trickle chargers are specified with gensets... although the voltage across the terminals may still read 24V after four years without a tender, it may not have the ability to deliver the current needed to crank the engine-- a nasty thing, especially in critical applications.
 
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