Newbie battery ID and winterization help

Hi all,

I have attached photos of the battery to my 1 year old mirrocraft 1776. Factory battery (or installed by dealer), live in wisconsin. Have searched the internet on this battery and can find nothing. Hoping for some help. I was told I need to trickle charge by some, undo one of the cables by others, do nothing, bring inside, depends on the battery, etc. Boat is in garage for Winter. Hope the images come through. By the way, why aren’t the terminals used like on a car?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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Wet cell batteries will discharge when stored more than any other battery. A longer a battery is discharged, the shorter it’s overall life. Keeping your battery fully charged will extend its life.

With all that said, I rarely if ever keep them on a trickle charger although I know it will improve its effective lifespan.

At the very least, disconnect the negative terminal.

There are small benefits to everything you mentioned above. Ideally you’d do all of them but it’s up to you. Keeping it on the trickle charger has probably biggest impact.

Thanks biggill, Any idea if mine is a wet cell? There seems to be a little green light in the middle?

I’d unhook all the cables on either post to ensure there is no way to complete a circuit to eliminate the chance of current drain and making sure the battery is fully charged, either leave it as is over winter or as some have told you, put a trickle charger on it over the winter if it’ll make you feel better, but there is really no need. It won’t decrease the life of your battery if there is no trickle charger hooked to it. Personally, I make sure my batteries are fully charged, unhook at least all the cables from one post to make sure there is no chance of any current drain and leave them that way until spring. You may loose .2 or .3 volts over winter, but if your battery is good, you will be fine without the need to charge it in any way over winter. There is no need to bring inside either, the cold reduces any chemical reactions inside your battery and it’s actually better that they are cold rather than room temperature.
Yours is a wet cell.

Ted wrote:

Thanks biggill, Any idea if mine is a wet cell? There seems to be a little green light in the middle?

That’s a good question. Dynamic doesn’t seem to have any info online. Looks like an AGM to me.

If it is agm, you’re good just giving it a full charge, disconnecting the negative terminal and leaving it in.

I would say it’s a wet cell.The green eye is supposed to let you know if the battery is good or not.I would unhook one of the cables make sure it’s completely charged and call it good.

Karry Kyllo wrote:

I’d unhook all the cables on either post to ensure there is no way to complete a circuit to eliminate the chance of current drain and making sure the battery is fully charged, either leave it as is over winter or as some have told you, put a trickle charger on it over the winter if it’ll make you feel better, but there is really no need. It won’t decrease the life of your battery if there is no trickle charger hooked to it. Personally, I make sure my batteries are fully charged, unhook at least all the cables from one post to make sure there is no chance of any current drain and leave them that way until spring. You may loose .2 or .3 volts over winter, but if your battery is good, you will be fine without the need to charge it in any way over winter. There is no need to bring inside either, the cold reduces any chemical reactions inside your battery and it’s actually better that they are cold rather than room temperature.
Yours is a wet cell.

Exactly this… ^^

Years ago I’d disconnect, remove and bring the battery inside. With my current boat someone said just disconnect one terminal and leave it. I did and do, 5 years now with the same battery and it’s still good to go in the spring. Motor fires right up every time.

Thank you gentlemen for your replies. A couple last questions if I may.

1. I’m now reading wet cells need to be topped off, but from the photo it looks sealed? Do we think this battery is maintenance free?

2. If I install a battery disconnect switch for Summer storage during the work week, is that the same as disconnecting the battery cable for winterization?

Thanks,

Ted

Yes (if it’s maintenance free) and yes

I like the disconnect switches. I have them on my tractor, camper, etc. Easier to just twist the switch rather than undoing terminals.

Personally, I charge my batteries and bring them inside. Nice spot right under the work bench for them. I put them on a charger/maintainer, but I only plug it in every couple of weeks to keep it topped up.

Don’t worry too much about it. Keep it reasonably charged and it’ll last a couple of years. What kills batteries is leaving them discharged for long periods of time.

Grouse