Getting the "Optima" Life from Your Batteries"
As the winter season approaches the northern states, the hot topic of discussion among many anglers in bait shops, launch sites and on-line s shifts toward batteries. We spend a lot of money on batteries, and it’s extremely important to get the “optima” life from them. I mention “optima” life because, quite honestly, I use Optima Batteries, but the information and tips below can be readily applied to any battery.
I recently had the privilege of discussing some of the proper techniques of storing and maintaining batteries with a battery engineer. I discovered some great points I felt would be relevant for me to share with fellow anglers. Here are a few quick tips I jotted down to help you optimize the life of your batteries both during the season as well as the off-season.
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Always store your battery with a full state of charge.
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Store batteries in a cool, dry area.
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Avoid storing batteries in an area containing dampness.
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In most cases, a properly charged battery will not freeze.
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All batteries dissipate power over time. It is normal for a fully charged battery to drop voltage in a month’s time. If in a 3-4 month span without being charged a battery drops below 9 volts that is a sign that the battery is weak and may need to be replaced.
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A perfectly charged battery is 12.4 volts.
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Batteries that are over-charged (13.1 volts or greater) will expire faster.
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Trickle chargers work best in helping to maximize a batteries life.
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It is best if batteries are charged once a month at a trickle charge to maintain a full state of charge during winter months.
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If your battery terminals are corroding, it is a sign that you have a leaking battery.
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Problems with storing a battery on concrete over the winter months are a myth.
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Regardless of setting batteries in series or parallel, always try to use the same make, model, size and age of battery. Keeping the batteries alike will help eliminate uneven draws on the batteries, which could prematurely expire the newer of the two batteries.
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AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries such as the Optima Blue Top are virtually spill proof and require no maintenance; however most deep cycle batteries need to be “topped-off” with distilled water every 3-6 months.
Keeping these simple tips in mind for storing and maintaining batteries will not only keep you on the water longer, but will give you a more efficient battery and help add longevity to the batteries life.