Spring Battery Maintenance Tips
Few things can ruin a day on the water faster than a dead battery. But you can avoid many problems by giving your boat’s battery some care and maintenance ahead of time.
Start by removing dirt from your battery housing by using spray cleaner or WD40. Also, clean your terminal posts with a wire brush or post cleaner. Make sure to remove rust and corrosion from the threads.
Next, if you have a lead-acid battery, check your electrolyte levels, adding distilled water to cover the internal plates if needed.
Using a 3-stage charger, you’ll want to charge your battery overnight. Then use a volt multimeter to check the voltage of the battery. If it’s fully charged, the battery at rest should register above 12.4 volts. It’s a good idea to re-check the battery after 24 hours to make sure it is holding a charge.
Finally, when you install the battery in the boat, make sure it is secured with straps or bands to limit its motion when you’re riding over waves.
