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The wintering of a battery park depends on their technology. Conventional lead-acid batteries have a self-discharge rate of up to 10% per month. A wintering period of 6 months is sufficient to over-discharge the battery and damage it. With this type of battery, it is therefore necessary to plan a recharge at least every 2 months.
New battery technologies such as lead/calcium, gel or AGM have a self-discharge rate of about 2% per month. In this case, there is no need to plan a recharge during the winter.
When wintering, make sure you have a good charge, if possible with a battery charger. Then the batteries are disconnected via the circuit breaker. Ideally, a bipolar circuit breaker is used, i.e. one that cuts both the positive (+) and negative (-) of the battery. It is also possible to disconnect the terminals, which allows them to be maintained and well lubricated
When wintering on board, never leave the charger plugged in all winter. If it is not bad for the battery, you are exposed to a high risk of overheating and fire.
A small 20 W solar panel is sufficient to cover the self-discharge of a battery during the winter. Small kits with panel, regulator and bracket are even available for this purpose. In particular, we have raised the Uniteck Kit proposed to 239 €.
A battery likes cold!
Contrary to popular belief, you should not keep your batteries warm during the winter. Self-discharge is lower when it is cold. As a result, you can leave the batteries in your boat during the winter. On the other hand, unloading the battery can make it easier to recharge in mid-winter...
The humidity of the air favours self-discharge. Grease the studs well, isolate from humidity and limit the phenomenon
Don't forget the bilge pump!
If you winterize your boat in the water, the bilge pump must be able to start automatically in your absence. It is therefore necessary to leave a battery running during the winter. Hence the interest of the small solar panel which ensures the maintenance of charge...
