Winter Battery Maintenance for Seasonal Equipment: 3 Essential Tips from PLP Battery Supply
As winter approaches, it's easy to forget about the seasonal equipment we rely on in the spring and summer—motorcycles, lawn mowers, boats, and more. While these machines may be tucked away for the season, their batteries still need attention to ensure they’re ready to go when you need them. Rick Polete, VP of PLP Battery Supply, shared some simple yet effective maintenance tips that can help extend the life of your seasonal batteries through the winter months. With just a little love and care, your batteries will be in prime condition come spring!
Neglecting your batteries during winter can lead to frustrating and costly failures when you try to use them again in the spring. Over time, batteries can slowly discharge, accumulate grime, or even develop sulfate buildup, which can drastically reduce their lifespan. To avoid a dead battery when the warmer months return, follow these three key maintenance tips before and during storage: check electrolyte levels, clean your battery before storing it, and charge your battery every 90 days or invest in a battery maintainer.
The first key tip is to check the electrolyte levels in your battery, if it’s one that allows you to do so. Before storing your equipment for winter, it’s crucial to ensure the electrolyte levels are sufficient. If the levels are low, top them up with distilled water to the fill line before storing the battery. Low electrolyte levels can cause your battery to slowly discharge and degrade over time, leading to damage and a failure to start when you’re ready to use it in the spring.
Next, cleaning your battery terminals is essential. A common cause of battery failure is grime buildup around the terminals. If dirt or grime gets in between the terminals, it can create a small current, which drains the battery over time. This grime buildup reduces the efficiency of the battery, causing it to drain prematurely and even fail when you try to use it in the Spring. To clean, spray the battery terminals with a household cleaner to break down the grime then rinse off with water. Be sure to dry the battery thoroughly to prevent any moisture from lingering.
The third tip is to charge your battery regularly. The enemy of all batteries is self-discharge. When a battery isn’t used for an extended period, it gradually loses charge. If left for too long, sulfate crystals form on the battery plates, which can cause irreversible damage. If you’re not using a maintainer, it’s recommended to charge your battery every 90 days. This keeps the battery in good condition and prevents sulfate buildup. Without regular charging, sulfate crystals can accumulate, shortening the battery's life and leading to expensive replacements.
Investing in a battery maintainer is an affordable and effective solution. A battery maintainer is a device that keeps your battery at an optimal charge without overcharging. For around $30–40, you can protect your high-priced batteries and ensure they’re always ready to go when you need them. PLP Battery Supply offers maintainers in the 1-to-1.5-amp range. These maintainers come with both ring terminals and battery clips, like those found on battery chargers, and are designed to maintain the charge level over extended periods without damaging the battery. This small investment is especially beneficial for high-value or long-term-use batteries in motorcycles, boats, and other equipment.
To keep your seasonal batteries in top shape and avoid replacements, follow these three essential tips: check electrolyte levels to prevent long-term damage, clean your battery terminals to avoid battery drain, and charge your battery regularly to prevent self-discharge and sulfate buildup. Investing in a battery maintainer can save you money in the long run and ensure your batteries are always ready to go when the season changes.
Ready to take care of your seasonal batteries? Check out PLP Battery Supply’s range of affordable maintainers and keep your batteries in peak condition all winter long. Don’t wait for spring battery problems—act now and save on costly replacements.
Explore PLP Battery’s Maintenance Solutions