Charge batteries in closed & covered boat?

[SkiTundra]

I''ve always followed the 'only charge batteries in an open and well ventilated area' mantra. For the boat that's meant with the cover off & hatches open. Boats on it's trailer in my driveway and we've been battling off & on rain for some time which is making charging difficult. I suppose one option is to just pull the batteries and charge them in the garage.

Would it be stupid to put the charger (CTEK 3300) in the storage bin w/ the battery, close the hatch, pull the cover over it, and let it charge? I'm guessing 24-48 hrs per battery to charge them. Batteries are Interstate C78DT-XHD 'Pure Lead'

Thanks,

[laker220]

Personally, I would highly advise against doing this. I would only charge your battery in an open well ventilated area. The reason for this is that the battery can explode. The chances of this are probably pretty slim, none the less it is possible.

Take the time to take your battery(s) out of the boat or else wait for some better weather to charge.

Oh ya, throw on a face shield when connecting and disconnecting your batteries to the boat or any other device like jumpers or chargers (I work with a guy who has had 2 batteries explode on him but lucky for him he always wears face protection).

[east tx skier]

Had one blow up on me (not literally on me) when trying to hook up jumper cables.

Glad I had fast reflexes.

[DanielC]

Charging batteries give off hydrogen, and oxygen in the exact proportion to make water again. The mixture of gases is obviously easy to light, and it explodes.
If you cannot charge the batteries in an open well ventilated space, take them out of the boat.

[wake_fun]

Get a battery tender and leave it plugged in year round...........

[SkiTundra]

Thanks - for the info and a some added fear factor. :-) Batts coming out of boat today.

I'd like to have a battery tender but boat spends spring/summer/fall in a wet slip with no power.

BTW, How often do you guys replace your batteries?

[SkiTundra]

And to add yet another question... Is it dangerous or a bad idea to charge the batteries while they're in direct sunlight on a hot and humid day? EG, in the boat, hatches open.

[DanielC]

The big issue is not to trap the hydrogen. The batteries would be happier, if they were in a cool shady place, but that may be difficult to find in Florida, for example.

One of the main factors that affect battery life is how often they are completely discharged. If they are never ran down to minimum capacity, they will last a long time. I think I am only on my second battery in my 1997 Ski Nautique.

Only put distilled water in a battery. Do not use tap water, drinking water, or deionized water. Distilled water only.

[SkiTundra]

Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks for the quick reply!

[srock]

That make me think. If the battery is in a box, in an enclosed compartment while running the motor (and charging) why is that not an issue?

[wake_fun]

My two Optima blue tops have been in my boat since 2006. I use a Minn Kota battery charger that I put on my boat and keep it plugged in year round.

[GCSuper]

I added the onboard charger to our new boat and it doesn't say anything about leaving compartments open. I thought the whole idea was to be able to leave the boat plugged in while in storage with the compartments closed, cover on, etc ????

[wake_fun]

I added the onboard charger to our new boat and it doesn't say anything about leaving compartments open. I thought the whole idea was to be able to leave the boat plugged in while in storage with the compartments closed, cover on, etc ????

I have left mine covered, compartments closed, cover on, etc for the last 5 years.......works perfect.

[WakeSlayer]

I have never understood this practice. I have never charged my batteries. In any boat. My boats are stored indoors, but nonetheless, in extremely cold temperatures. For 5-7 months per year. The current batteries in my SAN were used in 2005 when I bought the boat. While I realize I am on borrowed time at this point, I still have never made any effort to maintain any of my batteries and have yet to have a problem that I can directly attribute to that.

[wake_fun]

I have never understood this practice. I have never charged my batteries. In any boat. My boats are stored indoors, but nonetheless, in extremely cold temperatures. For 5-7 months per year. The current batteries in my SAN were used in 2005 when I bought the boat. While I realize I am on borrowed time at this point, I still have never made any effort to maintain any of my batteries and have yet to have a problem that I can directly attribute to that.

If I leave my boat sit, not plugged in, the battery will be dead in a couple months. I don't know why. My stereo is all wired to my second battery. The only thing wired to the primary battery is all the factory stuff plus: Perfect Pass, heater, ballast pumps. The heater and ballast pumps are obviously off and I don't know if PP draws on the battery when the boat is off