I bought a boat in April. It has 3 batteries, split into 2 banks. From reading other posts I realized boat batteries weren't the "no maintenance" variety that are used in cars (hey, I'm a rookie!). They're EverStart Deep Cycle "Trolling" batteries. Since the boat was for sale since last July, nobody's done anything to the batteries for a year. I just had to add 1 pint of distilled water to each battery. Amazingly, they've worked pretty well for me for the last 3 months. Is there anything I can do other than just topping up the water?
Restoring neglected batteries?
- Thread starter Craig522
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Batteries
I would recommend going to your local auto supply and getting a hydrometer. Check each cell to make sure none of them are bad. A bad cell in one battery can and will keep the entire bank from charging properly. Also would recommend that if one is bad, you replace all batteries in that bank.
I would recommend going to your local auto supply and getting a hydrometer. Check each cell to make sure none of them are bad. A bad cell in one battery can and will keep the entire bank from charging properly. Also would recommend that if one is bad, you replace all batteries in that bank.
Charge them properly ansd they'll last longer
Craig do some reading on battery charging. use West Marine catalog or online adviosrs. download the Ample Power Primer at ""www.amplepower.com"" Stu
Craig do some reading on battery charging. use West Marine catalog or online adviosrs. download the Ample Power Primer at ""www.amplepower.com"" Stu
Go to www.amplepower.com
Go to the amplepower website, then look for battery restoration and/or battery 'equalization'. Equalization is a special rapid charge at much higher than normal voltage which drives the sulfates off the plates, etc. Check with the battery manufacturer to see if 'equalization' is or is not recommmended. ;o)
Go to the amplepower website, then look for battery restoration and/or battery 'equalization'. Equalization is a special rapid charge at much higher than normal voltage which drives the sulfates off the plates, etc. Check with the battery manufacturer to see if 'equalization' is or is not recommmended. ;o)
See This Link Too
Trojan Battery Co. has a great resource for battery maintenance. Read about equalizing. FWIW, I was having some pretty bad battery crashes recently on my three and a half year old bank of golf carts. They get heavy use. Anyhow, before tearing them out, I checked them with a hydrometer which indicated little cell-to-cell varience. I then cleaned all terminals and also took everything apart at the switch panel and cleaned there too. I then equalized the batteries over night. Bottom line is that the batteries are fine. They have lost some of the capasity, but are perfectly satisfactory. Rick D.
Trojan Battery Co. has a great resource for battery maintenance. Read about equalizing. FWIW, I was having some pretty bad battery crashes recently on my three and a half year old bank of golf carts. They get heavy use. Anyhow, before tearing them out, I checked them with a hydrometer which indicated little cell-to-cell varience. I then cleaned all terminals and also took everything apart at the switch panel and cleaned there too. I then equalized the batteries over night. Bottom line is that the batteries are fine. They have lost some of the capasity, but are perfectly satisfactory. Rick D.
Post-Mortem
FWIW, here's the final results. I equalized all three batteries. Two then load-tested as "perfect" (according to the battery store), and the 3rd was garbage. So now I have a new starter battery and the other two are together as a house bank. Thanks for the advice. Craig
FWIW, here's the final results. I equalized all three batteries. Two then load-tested as "perfect" (according to the battery store), and the 3rd was garbage. So now I have a new starter battery and the other two are together as a house bank. Thanks for the advice. Craig
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