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Winter battery storage

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Old Aug 9, 2011 | 03:42 PM
  #1  
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Default Winter battery storage

Quick question.

I have no choice but to store my 04 Dyna Sport outside in a CycleShell this winter. There;'s just no room at the inn. It says in the manual not to let the battery freeze. I live in NYC and was wondering if this is gonna be a problem. Should I disconnect it and bring it inside or will the battery tender be enough to stop it from freezing? I'd really like to keep it connected, ready for those unusual warm(er) winter days.

Any suggestions?
 
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 04:08 PM
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Electrolyte freezes at a much lower temperature than water, but I still wouldn't let mine sit in sub-freezing temps for a long time--even on a tender. Bike batteries are small and easy to remove. Just put it in the basement or somewhere out of the way. Not on a concrete floor or metal surface (accelerates discharge). My $.02 for what it's worth. In Michigan we don't get "warm(er)" winter days! Just wondering, do you change oil viscosity when switching from summer to winter riding?
 
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 05:02 PM
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The battery will not freeze as long as it is not discharged, but it certainly won`t hurt to keep it in a milder environment.

Does not matter what surface you store a battery on, concrete or metal surface does not affect a modern battery.

I leave my bike out in the shed over the winter (Ct.), no battery tender. Starts right up in the spring.
 

Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Aug 9, 2011 at 05:09 PM.
Old Aug 17, 2011 | 02:50 PM
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Cold storage (everything has a limit of course) is better to the battery than a hot storage.
 
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