how to store my starting battery

[fisherdane]

Hi,

I was wondering what the best way is to store my starting battery. I use an old Schumacher 10 amp Twin rate (12V, 6V) Automatic/Manual battery charger (SE-40MA) for my deep cycle battery, but what about my starting battery. Should I charge the battery once in a while like the deep cycle? Which setting? I have the following 3 to choose from.

1) Manual
2) Conventional & Low Maintenance Automatic
3) Maintenance free & Deep Cycle automatic

Thanks

[dilbert]

I use the battery tender plus for my deep cycle. People also use these on the starting batteries for backup generators. It's a great product and won't fry your batteries.

[hewesfisher]

Should I charge the battery once in a while like the deep cycle? Which setting? I have the following 3 to choose from.

1) Manual
2) Conventional & Low Maintenance Automatic
3) Maintenance free & Deep Cycle automatic

Yes you should charge completely once every other month or so. I do this and have the same charger as you set on conventional for non-deep cycle batteries.

[fisherdane]

Thanks for your advise. So I can use either one of the settings you suggested, or would one be to prefer? I kinda thought deep cycle would be better.......

[Bodofish]

Go to Harbor Freight and buy a float charger. They're a whole 10 bucks. Best way to keep a batt they way you want it. It put's just enough juice to keep the batt alive, not even as much as a trickle charger. Worth it's weight in gold.

[Nik]

i bought this battery maintainer from Cabelas for $30 and hard wired it into my starting battery. it's made for storing batteries and tops off the starter nicely after it's gotten most of it's charge from the alternator. not having to use a
portable charger may seem like a small convenience, but when you can just get home and plug in 2 power cords (i have an on board 2 bank charger for my front batteries) and know that the next time you go fishing your batteries are going to be in top shape, it's totally worth the money. i can also store my boat with the chargers plugged in so no worrying about your problem.

[Bodofish]

Same thing at Harbor Freight for $10 every day. Can't go wrong. Best way to keep the batt in running condition, the other side benefit is your batt won't freeze if it gets real cold.

[fisherdane]

Perfect. Thanks. Heading to Habor Freight soon.