Using my onboard charger all Winter

I have a 2 bank Minn Kota MK 220D on board charger that charges both my 12V trolling motor and starting battery.

My question is should I leave it hooked up all Winter long to charge the batteries now that my boat is put away for at least a couple months?? Are these designed to be hooked up and charging for months at a time?? I know it will only trickle charge after complete charging but is it hard on the unit or reduce its life?? Wondering what everybody else does and what is considered best practice??

Another option is to hook it up every few weeks to make sure the batteries never drain doown too much.
Thanks.

I have been doing this for years without a problem. Trickle charge keeps them topped off all winter

I leave mine plugged in all winter as well.

X3

for several years now…according to the marine Gurus…that’s the best way to go…

I sometimes put a load on the batteries with a 12 volt light for awhile then take it off so the charger can recharge the batteries back up in the winter. It don’t hurt them.

I never unhook my battery charger in the winter either for a long time now ,and have never had trouble.
Stan

I Keep my charger plugged in 24/7 365 days a year.i have not changed a battery in 4 years. I have a promariner protournament 300 It is one of the best on board chargers ive ever owned.

Thanks for everyones feedback

I plan on leaving it plugged in for the Winter.

Make sure the water levels are full prior to storing and again in spring. Top off with distilled water.
And then leave plugged in.

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Make sure the water levels are full prior to storing and again in spring. Top off with distilled water.
And then leave plugged in.

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Just checked the water levels on both batteries, re-packed the bearing buddies, added some stabil to the gas tank, and drained the carbs on my carbed F40…Should be all set for Winter.

I’m doing the same this year for the first time and leaving the batteries on a Cabelas on-board charger. My question is water in the battery. I have checked the water levels and they are fine. As a matter of good maintenance, should you change out the water periodically or just leave unless the level goes down?

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I’m doing the same this year for the first time and leaving the batteries on a Cabelas on-board charger. My question is water in the battery. I have checked the water levels and they are fine. As a matter of good maintenance, should you change out the water periodically or just leave unless the level goes down?

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It is an add system only.

The water in a battery is hydrocloric acid (spelling?)you only loose the water part of the solution,boils off, the reason you need to use distilled water is it’s pure and has no minerals or other impurities in it,which will shorten the battery’s life.
Stan

Personally I don’t trust leaving chargers on that long. I worry about them failing and catching on fire. I know its a super low risk and I’m in the minority. I charge periodically during the off season.