Marine Battery Tips
Are you planning a day on the water soon? If so, do you know if your marine battery is in good shape?
Batteries play a crucial role in your boat, yet they’re frequently overlooked until they don’t work.
A malfunctioning battery can lead to serious issues, particularly when you’re out on the water. It powers essential components like starting the engine, providing power for other critical systems. This can include lighting, bilge pump, and depth sounder, as well as non-critical items a GPS, and of course the fridge.
The key to preventing battery failure is to look after them. We’ve put together some essential tips for a smooth day out on the water.
Regular maintenance, testing, and storage are crucial if you want to keep your Marine Batteries working as they should. Neglecting to care for your battery and making common mistakes can shorten their life.
How do I store my boat battery during the off-season?
Let’s talk about storage first, many boats are used quite seasonally and as such may not be used for weeks, even months depending on the weather. If you are putting your boat in storage, keep your battery in a cool and dry location.
Make sure your battery is fully charged before storing the boat at the end of the season. Marine batteries discharge even when not in use. Before storing, disconnect any equipment that might drain the battery faster and turn off all switches.
Whilst the boat is stored, check electrolyte levels; water loss is a common maintenance issue in flooded (wet-cell) marine batteries. Deep-cycle batteries lose water faster than starting batteries. Water loss often occurs in batteries from evaporation due to heat and other chemical reactions and can rapidly shorten your battery’s life. If you have a maintainable battery, top up as required with distilled water, make sure not to overflow the water level.
Extreme temperatures, such as excessive heat, can speed up battery degradation. High temperatures can strain the battery, causing too much discharge and electrolyte loss. Cold temperatures also wreak havoc on the battery, causing it to work harder.
Check the Charge level regularly and put on a battery charger when required, charging the battery correctly is vital. Undercharging can lead to sulfation, which is when lead sulphate crystals gather on the internal plates and impact on the battery’s ability to recharge properly.
On the other hand, overcharging can also shorten the life of your battery. Always use a charger that meets the battery manufacturer’s charging recommendations, or you can use a multistage/maintenance charger to keep your boat battery charge topped up, this will keep it well-maintained and help to maximise battery life.
Perform Regular Testing
Regular testing can help extend the life of your marine battery and ensure that you never get stranded on the water.
Inspect your battery’s external components, checking that the terminals are secure and don’t show signs of coming off and that there are no signs of corrosion on exposed metal terminals. At least once a year, you should clean out the battery box, check for signs of leaks, inspect the tie-downs, and check that the vent is clear.
In addition to these critical things, here are 5 others to avoid that will prevent/minimise embarrassment at the boat ramp and or broken down on the water.
1. Run The Motor
It’s advisable to start the engine before heading out on the water. Check for signs such as intermittent starting or slow cranking which is likely to be caused by a failing battery.
2. Perform Voltage & Charge Holding Test
Remove the battery from the charger a day or two prior to your planned outing on the water. Use a multimeter to measure the voltage of the battery and monitor this voltage to verify it’s holding the charge. This voltage should be above 12.5 volts. If it’s failing to hold a charge, it may be time to consider replacing the battery.
3. Avoid Deep Discharges
Prevent the lead acid battery from deep discharge, as it can shorten its lifespan. No more than 50% is recommended for a deep-cycle lead acid battery. Recharge the battery promptly after each use.
4. Keep Battery Securely Mounted
Ensure the battery is securely mounted to prevent vibration and movement during both trailer transportation and wave pounding when the boat is underway.
5. Protect The Terminals
Cover the positive terminal with a terminal cover or “boot,” which will stop arcing, shocks, corrosion, and sparks.
Choosing the Right Marine Battery
Lastly, it’s important you choose the right marine battery for your boat. Using a quality marine battery, as well as following the tips outlined above, ensures you can enjoy your boat for many years to come.
For more information on your next Marine Battery contact the Marine Battery Experts at your local Battery World Store
