Finally, something went right...

[Brian D]

This morning I went to the boat to put in new batteries. I purchased two from Wal-Mart last night, Model 27DC-6. So I gave myself 2 hours to do the job. I actually finished it in less than one. I was expecting trouble as my batteries are in a tight location.After hooking the new batteries to the charger, I ran a quick test to see if everything was connected correctly. Yep! VHF worked on either battery. So I turned on the charger. Stayed below watching the charger do it's thing.Went to breakfast at a local Denny's and came back 1.5 hours later. The charger was in the READY mode and the lowest current LED was flashing. She's in float mode. Batteries were cool to the touch. YAY!Man I am so happy something finally went right for me.New problem now. Bird diarrhea all over my boat. The hard poop came off after I washed the boat, but the white liquid crap dried and is hard to get off.Any suggestions? Lots of elbow grease is an acceptable answer.

 

[Stu Jackson]

With your new batteries

I strongly recommend that you download the Ample Power Primer from www.amplepower.comThey recommend "breaking in" your new batteries.How to do it?Read the Primer.

 

[Ed]

hang out some music.

Hang some cd discs arround the boat they flash and the birds dont like them.my work some say yes, some say no but if it doesnt you can still listen to them.

 

[Ross]

Withregard to the Guano -problem , throw

food on your neighbors boats.

 

[Honeyman]

Save the receipt...

from Wally World, because you will probably need it within a year! Been there, done that! Sorry about the birds...

 

[Dan McGuire]

Walmart Batteries

Consumers Reports rated the Walmart Automotive batteries among the best. According to my index, the testing was done in Nov 2003. I have bought numerous batteries from Walmart over the years including marine, car, truck, lawn mover, ATV and RV batteries. In the very few cases where I had a problem, I was able to return them and only paid for the warranty which was used. Generally you do not need the receipt. You just need the slip of paper which is sealed inside of an envelope attached to the battery itself. One of the reasons I prefer Walmart is that they are located everywhere. If I have a problem on the road, I don’t have to look for a dealer that handles that kind of battery. I buy tires from Walmart for the same reason.As someone previously mentioned, the life the battery is highly dependent on the treatment. Over charging and numerous discharges to very low levels will kill them. I would suspect that breaking them in properly also helps.

 

[ClownPilot]

Great News!

Brian, don't fret over the white bird effluent.I had a 'el of a time while painting my deck with birds crapping on it between coats of primer and paint. That is until my son suggested using one of those magic erasers. You know the Mr. Clean sponges that are blue on one side and whit on ther other? Well, it's the white side you use to clean with. And believe me they work like a charm! The white side of these sponges or made out of some magical material that will slowly dissolve away with use. Once the white material is gone, you are left with just a sponge. On the boat, this is quite handy because you don't have to tote and mix detergents while slopping it all over the deck and into the water. You simply arm yourself with the sponge in one hand and a water hose (or water pail) in the other.Good luckTom

 

[sailortonyb]

They give a crap !!!

try feeding the birds Imodium A-D

 

[Brian D]

Thank you Tom...

I'll grab myself a handful of those sponges.As far as the Wal-Mart batteries, they just sell them. If there is a complaint about the battery, then that should be directed to Johnson Control who manufactures the battery. I do appreciate everyone's input, thanks.