winter battery storage

[rpgreatdane75]

What is the best way to protect your batteries during the winter in Wisconsin?

[Michael Eddie]

Keep them clean, watered and charged, at least every 30 days run a charge cycle on them.

If it gets VERY cold, remove them from the cart, and keep in heated part of house, charge every 30 days.

[wolocom]

There is no need to remove the batteries from the cart...Make sure there is plenty of distilled water in them, charge the batteries fully...then disconnect the main + and - wires. That way the batteries will sit dormant all winter long. You should do this even if you are storing it for extended periods of time.
If you have a cart that has a "tow/run" switch..you do not have to disconnect any wires..after charging, flip the tow/run switch to "tow". I recommend disconnecting one main wire(altho they say it is not necessary.)

[timflury]

I'm not too far from you. Before I store my batteries, I make sure they are fully charged. I removed my batteries and I have them in my basement. I have the batteries from the golf cart, two batteries for my garden tractors, and one for my motorcycle all within arms length of each other. I have a Battery Tender that I move to a different battery each week. I keep an eye on the water level each time I move the tender.

As far as keeping batteries outside,,,,, a fully charged battery will freeze at -60 degrees F. My opinion is that I would rather tend to my batteries in a warm basement, than out in a shed, or under a tree wherever the cart is being stored for the winter outdoors.

The "best" way is whatever gives you the most piece of mind.