Author Topic: Disconnect batt for storage?  (Read 5079 times)

Offline philo_beddoe

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Disconnect batt for storage?
« on: December 18, 2017, 01:03:56 PM »
Should battery be disconnected for winter storage? Or leave connected to start every couple weeks?
Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.  Zechariah 14:1

Offline Rapid Roy

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2017, 04:52:34 PM »
Probably depends on your climate and how cold it can get. I would get a battery tender/maintainer to be on the safe side so not to ruin battery.
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Offline zieg85

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2017, 04:53:02 PM »
Unless you have a slow drain of battery happening I would leave it connected.  May not be the proper thing to do but my yellow truck has the same battery since I bought it Sept 2010 and only had to put the charger on it after 6 months of sitting a couple of times.  I probably jinxed myself now but that's my story and I am sticking to it.
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Offline SJSbackyard

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2017, 04:55:21 PM »
For my vehicles that will not be used during the N.E. winter months, I remove, and store the batteries in my heated utility room. If you have a sufficient "battery tender," you can keep them in good shape. I'm too frugal to take the latter approach...

Offline zieg85

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2017, 05:10:11 PM »
Great discussion.  Good battery health is to not let them become dead but by keeping them in the cold it slows down the chemical reaction an pro-longs life.  I remember reading about this and all my trucks batteries have lasted a good 10+ years treating them this way.  I buy the cheap ones from Walmart.  Forgot to mention this has all been in NW Indiana, basically Chicago, both out doors and in un heated garage conditions
« Last Edit: December 18, 2017, 05:12:04 PM by zieg85 »
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline philo_beddoe

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2017, 10:26:27 PM »
Typical new england winters here, we have cold snaps and warm spells throughout. As long as every couple weeks i can find a day the roads are clean enough to take a quick spin. Then that will be fine, but rarely are the roads clean around here. One drop of anything and they pour on the salt!
Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.  Zechariah 14:1

Offline zieg85

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2017, 10:46:27 PM »
i'd start mine once a month and let it warm up totally with the heater blasting for about 20 minutes, never had an issue the 5 months of YUK on the roads.  The other times I would run it around the block which was about a 5 mile run or a cruise in

Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline Henry

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2017, 10:37:33 AM »
Hi Philo:
I start and idle my truck at least once a week if I am not using it. I think it keeps the battery at full charge and exercised. Probably more important it keeps the coolant flowing through the system to prevent rust from starting and fuel flowing through the carb to prevent gunking up the float chamber. I would not try to start it when the temperature is below freezing if you dont have to.

Regards,
Henry

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2017, 05:03:46 PM »
My trucks sit a lot. I only disconnect the battery if I am doing work which would require me to do so. Battery tenders have their place but a decent battery charger is all you need once in a while. No need to drive on salty roads, let it hibernate, start and run through a complete warm up cycle, move it around your property but driving it on the salty roads will only help preserve nourishment for rust.
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              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline philo_beddoe

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2017, 05:31:17 PM »
Great advice, thanks. I'll warm it up once a week, and move it around a little.  Should be fine.
Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.  Zechariah 14:1

Offline philo_beddoe

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2018, 11:22:47 AM »
Started right up, roads are clean and dry....for now. Took out for a quick breath of air.
Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.  Zechariah 14:1

Offline zieg85

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2018, 12:34:11 PM »
great picture.  It was in the 70's here on Thursday, rode my 3 wheeler.  Woke up to snow this morning...
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline Henry

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2018, 12:52:09 PM »
Hi Philo:
Great looking truck...your photo looks like a Chevy ad in Popular Mechanics from the 70s!

Regards,
Henry

Offline philo_beddoe

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #13 on: February 17, 2018, 10:44:58 PM »
Thanks! And thanks, love those old chevy ads. The 70's were awesome, no internet-no cell phones. People actually did stuff! Oh, and everybody had a carburetor!
Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.  Zechariah 14:1

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Disconnect batt for storage?
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2018, 07:55:57 AM »
Livin the dream. Looks good!

I terrorized the neighborhood today on a test drive after replacing the lifters in pinky. It sucks to have to put these babies away for the winter but the stuff they put on the roads eats bridges let alone our trucks. Now another half a foot of snow fell over night but it's supposed to hit 65° this week so maybe this is the light at the end of the tunnel.
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10