Battery storage over winter

**cmillsbl** · 11-19-2017, 01:27 PM

I winterized and put my 307 into storage for the winter. I removed the battery and brought it home. Garage will get below freezing, but not below zero.

Questions:
1. Is it better to store it in my unheated garage or in my basement?
2. what's the best charger to maintain the battery charge over the 6 months it will be in storage? Does an RV deep cycle battery require a different charger than a car battery?

Thanks.

**Cate&Rob** · 11-19-2017, 02:01 PM

A lead-acid battery self-discharge rate is less than 5% per month in cold weather. I leave my boat batteries in place, fully charged and completely disconnected. After 5 to 6 months they are still safely at 75% state of charge. No need for trickle charging (in my opinion).

Rob

**Barbara & Dave** · 11-19-2017, 02:59 PM

And I'm sure when Rob says "completely disconnected", he means at the battery terminals, not just the 12v disconnect switch.

Dave

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**jkwilson** · 11-21-2017, 07:26 AM

A fully charged battery will freeze at about -90 degrees F. Not generally a concern. As pointed out above, the cold temperatures slow down the self-discharge. Wouldn't hurt to top off the charge a couple of times over the winter. When a battery drops below about 12.42V@80F or 12.0F@35F (same ~70% state of charge, just different temps), the potential for sulfation damage is pretty high.

**Chiefblueman** · 11-21-2017, 12:48 PM

Battery Tender. No fooling around, no worries. Your battery will be ready any time you are. I've used them professionally as well as personally. Cheap investment for worry free battery maintenance. https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende.../dp/B00068XCQU