Gulf Coast Fisherman Magazine Vol 39 No 2 - Spring 2015 | Page 12

Equipment Notebook

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by David Ayers

BATTERY MAINTENANCE

aving to deal with a dead battery is one of the top
reasons boaters call for assistance while out on the
water. If you have to call a professional marine
assistance company, your dead battery will be a costly
interruption!
When spring rolls around, make sure that “battery
maintenance” is high on your check list. Inspect, clean,
service and then charge your battery, if needed.
Before you charge your battery, pull it from your boat

1. Remove the battery from your boat and check for
possible punctures or damage. Clean with light oil or
silicone spray.

2. Use a light lubricant and a wire brush or battery
terminal brush to remove dirt, grime and corrosion.

3. Use a voltage meter to check battery strength while
at rest. If lower than 12.4 volts, the battery should
probably be charged.

4. If battery isn’t maintenance free, use a screwdriver
to remove the battery electrolyte caps to check the level.

5. If the electrolyte level is low, add distilled water to
sufficiently cover the tops of the battery plates. Do not
overfill.
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to give it a thorough inspection. Check the housing for cracks
or punctures. Batteries should be securely mounted to the
boat, but loose gear could impact a battery while underway
causing damage which may be concealed unless the battery
is pulled. Then, wipe it down with a safe cleaner to remove
salt and grime. Use eye protection when removing or
attaching cables and while checking electrolyte levels.
Here’s a basic plan:

6. Before installing battery leads to the electrical
system, coat the terminals with dielectric grease,
Photos by author.
silicone compound, etc.

GULF COAST FISHERMAN

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