Storing Batteries

[bja105]

I did my final mowing for the year at each of the houses. I have 4 running tractors with good batteries, and I would like to keep them in good shape for next spring.

I plan on removing the battery from each tractor. Then what? I have an unheated garage with electricity. I heard that I shouldn't store them on a concrete floor, is 1' pine ok, and not an unneeded fire risk? Should I leave my charger on them long term, or just charge once in a while? Any tips?

[_DX3_]

Set them on wood for sure, then connect a trickle charger and leave it. Mine stays in my mower hooked up to a trickle charger all winter as does my motorcycle too.

[Mike McKown]

Modern plastic cased batteries can sit on a concrete floor without causing a discharge from the concrete.

I'd leave them in the tractor and hit each of them with a charger every couple months until you bring them out of mothballs.

[tractordude]

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

Modern plastic cased batteries can sit on a concrete floor without causing a discharge from the concrete.

I'd leave them in the tractor and hit each of them with a charger every couple months until you bring them out of mothballs.

I agree with this ^^^^,just maybe unhook them, most lawn and garden batterys have a 6 month warranty, I have seen batterys 4 years old. If you can keep them in 32 degrees or above would be a plus

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

Modern plastic cased batteries can sit on a concrete floor without causing a discharge from the concrete.

I'd leave them in the tractor and hit each of them with a charger every couple months until you bring them out of mothballs.

I agree 110% the old " no setting on concrete" goes back to rubber battery cases in the early days.
I am not fond of battery matainers, I have see too many batteries ruined from overcharging.

[TSWolf]

They can sit on a concrete floor with no problems, it will cause them no harm. I just leave mine in all my equipment through the winter, and just start everything up and run it for a while about once a month, this way it keeps everything else in working order as well.

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by TSWolf

They can sit on a concrete floor with no problems, it will cause them no harm. I just leave mine in all my equipment through the winter, and just start everything up and run it for a while about once a month, this way it keeps everything else in working order as well.

Make sure you run them long enough to bring them up to operating temp.
otherwise moisture in the exhaust and crankcase tend to cause sludge and rusting in exhaust systems.
Best to leave them un run unless they can be brought up to operating temp. but do charge the battery with a small 1 amp charger for 1/2 a day or so maybe every month or two.
I have seen short run vehicles ( under say 6-8 miles a day) and the engines are so sludged up it is unbelivable. and the exhaust systems are lucky to last only a few years.

[nikster]

Batteries of old were made different, it was known that you place them on wood not cement. Not now-days, totally different casing.

From an intestate battery store near my house;

http://ponderingfools.blogspot.com/2...rt-4-of-4.html

Look to the right & you can click on page 1,2 & 3

Take note on sealed vs. old non-sealed

Nik,

No matter there are those that will insist on doing it their way, they know better