"Temporary" way to start the engine with two dead batteries?

[Steve L22188]

Went to the boat to winterize it this afternoon. After just two days shy of 9 years my two 12-volt no-name deep cycle batteries bit the dust. Pretty remarkable performance given 9 years in the cold of Kansas winters and the heat of Kansas summers. So we returned from the boat without winterizing the engine.

I'd like to wait to buy two new batteries next Spring rather than put new ones through a cold winter. Is there any kind of jump starter/battery pack that I could use to "temporarily" start the engine, run the antifreeze through and then let the boat sit until Spring when I would put in two new batteries? This is a Yanmar 2GM diesel.

If one of the jump starter/battery packs is used, can you simply hook them up to the positive and negative studs on one of the dead batteries and then start the engine?

And....I'm thinking about simply buying the new batteries from Sam's or Costco next Spring - any experience with either of those brands?

Thanks in advance for your help on this little bump in the road.

 

[Brian D]

Run down to Walmart, get yourself some of the least expensive automotive batteries, and start your engine. Worry about expensive batteries next season.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

What about "borrowing" the battery from your car for a start ?

As long as your car isn't an all electric vehicle, a free start.

 

[NYSail]

Borrow your car battery to start or can you plug in to shore and turn charger on to see if you get enough to turn over? Or borrow a battery or like you mentioned a jump starter….. I would put it straight onto the starter. Once started the diesel needs no battery so I would do the cheapest way. Sams sells great Duracell 6volt batteries. I actually also had great experience with their group 31 agms.

greg

 

[danstanford]

You can use one of the jump start units on the battery terminals with no problem.

 

[Apex]

i bought a jumper pack, cheap backup. says its good for diesel starts. if you still have problems try decompress to get motir turning at speed

 

[dlochner]

And....I'm thinking about simply buying the new batteries from Sam's or Costco next Spring - any experience with either of those brands?

Some of the batteries at Sam's and Costco are made by East Penn and simply relabeled. No difference in quality between them and East Penn's house brand, Deka.

https://www.eastpennmanufacturing.com/wp-content/uploads/Deka-Marine-Complete-Line-Brochure-0181.pdf

 

[thinwater]

Jumping from cars was a common thing when I was a kid. Everyone had cables in the trunk. I still do. Someone in the yard probably did. Just jump it.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

There are ways to start an engine without battery power. Most diesel and Atomic 4 inboards have a place where you can attach the crank that usually goes with the engine. You can pull the decompression lever on the diesel to get some speed up.

 

[PaulK]

Have tried hand-cranking a diesel. Not as easy as it sounds. It would probably be difficult to park close enough to a 30' O'Day to have the jumper cables reach the engine. Apex is right : Audew 1000A Peak 10800mAh 12V Car Jump Starter up to 6.0L Gas or 4.5L Diesel Engine
You could also ask around -- a friend or mechanic might already have one and let you borrow it.

 

[Head Sail]

Just about any jump start pack will work. I wouldn't worry about buying new batteries and letting them sit over the winter. Battaries do much better in cold than heat.

 

[Leeward Rail]

A big booster pack is the easiest option.
Every automotive repair shop uses them. You need one with decent CCA for them to be truly useful around the shop.

Buying new batteries now may make more financial sense. Prices are rising, and your local dealer may have them on an end of season sale.

The cold isn't an issue unless they are discharged... which will allow them to freeze.

 

[Leeward Rail]

made by East Penn and simply relabeled. No difference in quality between them and East Penn's house brand, Deka.

Yup. This guy knows..

 

[Benny17441]

Borrow the battery from your car. Don't buy batteries now, get fresher ones in the spring with a couple more months of Warranty.

 

[ggrizzard]

Benny is right. Your warranty starts when you leave the store, not when you install anything.

 

[Steve L22188]

Update. Decided to bite the bullet and just get two new batteries and install them this weekend. Duracell brand from Sam's. Group 27. $98.
I'm likely going to sell the boat this Spring and this will just be one thing to cross off the list.

Thanks to all of you for your good advice - as always. This is the most congenial and collegial site on the web!