Dead Battery !

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by swimfan

I prefer using an AGM battery which is maintenance free. Sams club sells a Duracell AGM marine battery that is very good.

The rate of discharge on an AGM is less than 2% per month. If you charge it before storing it will still be well charged come spring for startup. Those Sam’s Duracell’s are great also!

Dan

[BroadHopper]

Been using them for decades without a problem. A battery last on average about 7 years give or take a year.

I have a dual battery setup. Turn off batteries after each use. In the winter they are removed from the boat and stored indoors. I trickle charge during the winter with a 'smart' charger.

[Patofnaud]

Make sure the battery is actually dead, or just too low for your charger to bring it back.

Most cheap chargers can't bring a 'dead' battery to life. Make sure you have a decent one with some kick to it.

I used a Wally-world battery in my last boat for 4 years before I traded it in with 0 issues. I did have a small solar panel keep it trickled when in the boat and I did take it out every winter and keep in at home on a computerized trickle charger when not in use.

Make sure to use a deep cycle or AGM battery and not use a 'maintenence free' battery. Maintence free batteries hate being deep cycled and will die if run down a couple times.

I'd load change it up (if possible) with a good charger and see if it holds. If not, then either trade it in and take advantabge of the warrenty or buy a decent AGM from SAM's club or other place. Stay away from the expensive AGM's like Odessy as their quaily has dropped in recent years.

[jbolty]

Originally Posted by Patofnaud

Make sure the battery is actually dead, or just too low for your charger to bring it back.

Most cheap chargers can't bring a 'dead' battery to life. Make sure you have a decent one with some kick to it.

I used a Wally-world battery in my last boat for 4 years before I traded it in with 0 issues. I did have a small solar panel keep it trickled when in the boat and I did take it out every winter and keep in at home on a computerized trickle charger when not in use.

Make sure to use a deep cycle or AGM battery and not use a 'maintenence free' battery. Maintence free batteries hate being deep cycled and will die if run down a couple times.

I'd load change it up (if possible) with a good charger and see if it holds. If not, then either trade it in and take advantabge of the warrenty or buy a decent AGM from SAM's club or other place. Stay away from the expensive AGM's like Odessy as their quaily has dropped in recent years.

this is a good tip. you can sometimes bring a battery back by hooking up the charger in parallel with another good bettery.

batteries hate to sit unused too. After a while they just give up and won't hold a charge without using a tender in the off season. I have a mini solar panel keeping my RV batteries topped up still on the same ones after 8 years and the thing sits for months at a time

[bigdog]

I saw the post from 8gy....
"The charged it overnight with no luck"

I did the same for 2 nights w/o luck, just seemed totally DEAD ! Only 8v.
Last night just for chuckles, I threw the battery on the charger.

This morning I checked the voltage and now have a strong 13v
Going to check the voltage in the morning to see if it is holding.

No idea what was going on with my first charging attempts, could be the charger itself, but now seems like the battery is back from the dead !

FYI the battery is a 'sealed' battery and never requires water.

[JADAQ]

I’m on year 5 with my boat battery.

The key to battery life is take the extra 3.5 minutes and take the battery out and keep it warm for the winter.

I guarantee there is not one marina in this state that takes batteries out of the boats for the winter anymore.

Also, if you do choose to take out your battery and give it the love you should don’t store it on a cement floor! It will drain your battery over time.

And trickle charge that thing over the cold months!

[Cal Coon]

Originally Posted by JADAQ

I’m on year 5 with my boat battery.

The key to battery life is take the extra 3.5 minutes and take the battery out and keep it warm for the winter.

I guarantee there is not one marina in this state that takes batteries out of the boats for the winter anymore.

Also, if you do choose to take out your battery and give it the love you should don’t store it on a cement floor! It will drain your battery over time.

And trickle charge that thing over the cold months!

Some batteries have better access than other's... Mine are both in a huge pain in the a** location in the bilge to get at that I don't bother taking them out. Way too much work!! I do put a battery tender on them throughout the winter and I am on the 5th or 6th year on the same batteries that came with the boat that I bought used with the current batteries in it, so I really have no idea how long they have been in it. I also carry one of those little jump packs with me at all times just in case they decide to go without warning...

[bigdog]

Originally Posted by JADAQ

I’m on year 5 with my boat battery.

The key to battery life is take the extra 3.5 minutes and take the battery out and keep it warm for the winter.

I guarantee there is not one marina in this state that takes batteries out of the boats for the winter anymore.

Also, if you do choose to take out your battery and give it the love you should don’t store it on a cement floor! It will drain your battery over time.

And trickle charge that thing over the cold months!

Interesting you should mention 'Battery out of boat for winter', this is what I ALWAYS did, however, when I had boat winterized and shrink-wrapped lat Oct, the boat dealer DID NOT remove the battery as I asked. They did disconnect the battery leads (BIG DEAL) !

I've AWAYS removed my battery for the winter, and stored in a dry warm place in my basement OFF CONCRETE, and NEVER had an issue with my battery before.

I guess this Fall I will have to inspect and insure the mechanic removes the battery, before I hand over my check !

[TiltonBB]

I have always disconnected and left batteries in the boats for the winter. I usually get about 7 years out of a pair of batteries. I think the important thing is to buy good batteries.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by bigdog

I saw the post from 8gy....
"The charged it overnight with no luck" I did the same for 2 nights w/o luck, just seemed totally DEAD ! Only 8v.
Last night just for chuckles, I threw the battery on the charger.
This morning I checked the voltage and now have a strong 13v
Going to check the voltage in the morning to see if it is holding.
No idea what was going on with my first charging attempts, could be the charger itself, but now seems like the battery is back from the dead !
FYI the battery is a 'sealed' battery and never requires water.

A few pointers with batteries:

1) When carried, avoid having a lead-acid (standard auto battery) contact your good clothing.

2) Don't allow metal jewelry to touch the battery as it's being carried.

3) Battery-carriers which clamp on the terminals "carry" a risk to the battery, as the terminals can become separated (internally) from the plates.
(A "good" charge may be measured, but a significant draw will fail).

Question for small electric trollers:

What 12V battery is best for extended deep discharge use?

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by ApS

A few pointers with batteries:

1) When carried, avoid having a lead-acid (standard auto battery) contact your good clothing.

2) Don't allow metal jewelry to touch the battery as it's being carried.

3) Battery-carriers which clamp on the terminals "carry" a risk to the battery, as the terminals can become separated (internally) from the plates.
(A "good" charge may be measured, but a significant draw will fail).

Question for small electric trollers:

What 12V battery is best for extended deep discharge use?

A DEEPcycle battery of course!