[C320-list] Winter layup in upstate NY

[Jeff Hare]

If you have standard flooded batteries, and can plug in for a few days every couple months over the winter, you'll be just fine.  
If you have AGM batteries, charge them and they'll be fully charged still in the spring.
There's no point in taking them home.  If you don't have shore power available, a small ~10 watt solar battery charger connected to them will keep them nicely topped up over the winter.

BUT, we just disconnect the ground terminals from all the batteries over the winter just to be sure there's nothing drawing them down (like battery monitors, etc).  If you don't have anything like that, then you could leave them connected.  But remember that the bilge pump is typically wired to bypass the A-B-Both switch, so unless you're at risk of sinking on land, disconnecting the batteries is a good idea.  :)

For the compass, just leave it in place.  :)  It'll be totally fine.

Normally it's suggested to change the engine oil before storage because of the sulfuric acid that naturally builds up in the oil from the sulfur in the diesel fuel.  It can slowly eat away at the metals if there's enough acid in the mix.  Fuel filters and transmission oil are easily put off till spring.  Coolant should be checked to be sure it won't freeze in your zone, but there's little urgency there either.

My $.02
-Jeff Hare



-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Daryl Hunt
Sent: Thursday, December 3, 2015 7:44 PM
To: C320 List <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Subject: [C320-list] Winter layup in upstate NY


    
I just finished putting my '99 C320 Believe through the extensive winter layup checklist from the C320 owners site.  I put off a few items until spring, including changing transmission oil, engine coolant and fuel filters.  
   I had one question for other owners from the frozen north regarding the dc system.  Do you remove your batteries and store indoors or leave on board but keep charged with a smart charger on 110 AC through the shore power connection?
Bonus question.  Do you remove your binnacle compass?  I've never done that on my 3 previous boats.
Thanks, Daryl'99 C320 #660 BelieveRochester, NY