...Now I'm getting e-mails criticizing my post saying in effect batteries should be protected from extreme cold: Surely you folks know better!! Here are quotes from the first three sources I found online... "Sealed Lead Acid - (SLA) batteries must be kept at full charge during storage. This is usually achieved by using special trickle chargers. If you do not have a trickle charger, do not attempt to store SLA batteries for more than three months..." (I'm surprised they recommend trickle charging.) "Keep your battery in a cool place away from the reach of children and pets. Avoid extreme cold or hot temperatures, as they can produce damage to a battery. If storage time exceeds two months, it may be necessary to fully recharge the battery before re-installing it..." and from Exide: "What is the proper way to store marine batteries? "Clean battery case and terminals with baking soda and water, being careful to make sure the solution does not get into the battery. Always check to ensure the battery is fully charged before storing. Batteries stored in a discharged state are susceptible to freezing and an increased rate of further discharge. Store in a cool dry place (not next to a furnace or other heat source) and out of reach of children and pets. Check the state of charge every 45-60 days and add distilled water if needed. .." (If anyone finds a recommendation from a battery manufacturer to the effect "Store our batteries for up to six months in freezing weather without charging...." just post the source and recommendation... Rob Brueckner Hatteras YF

"Robin" <gymkidd405@netzero.com> writes: >...Now I'm getting e-mails criticizing my post saying in effect batteries >should be protected from extreme cold Well, let me first say that I am neither a chemist nor a battery engineer. But I worked for 5 years on a boat in the arctic, and I also maintained 4 generators and an industrial-size Bombardier snowmobile powered by a Chrysler 318. I can state state unequivocal that you can leave a fully charged wet lead-acid battery out in the cold (like -60F cold) for six months at a time with no noticeable ill effects. Usually we didn't even have to charge them in the spring. The boat had a pair of 8-D Surettes for each engine (Volvo TMP-40 diesels). Your mileage may vary, etc. etc. etc., but the long and short of it is that winter in Michigan is not going to hurt your batteries. Think of it this way: it's a darn sight warmer than North Dakota, and last I checked the folks in ND still get their cars to start. Just as an aside, you you do have to watch out for is anything filled with water. The plumbing, of course. But there are less obvious things. For example, closed seacocks often have water trapped in the barrel. Drain lines for your fridge. Buckets in the lazarette. Cans of pop. Bottles of Evian. The pump in your toilet. The black water tank pump. All of these things will burst, and of course you won't notice until it's waaayyyy too late. Of course, if you do elect to use heated storage, you still need to winterize. If you read the fine print, I'll bet dollars to donuts there is an "act of god" clause that absolves the marina from damages should the heat go off. All it will take is a good ice storm with the power off for a few days and the temperature could easily drop below freezing. Scott Welch Product Manager, FirstClass Group "If we continue to take an eye for an eye, then surely the whole world will go blind." - Gandhi