Batteries!

[caine]

hi all

my boat is a year old now and just had its 50hr service.

i went out friday night. and noticed (according to the sounder) the battery is no longer holding charge. even when under way.

i have never had to charge the battery. as i use the boat fortnightly.

so im off to supercheap to buy a battery charger and tester.

could i have deaper problems? like the alternator not working?

i was fishing with lights on and power dropped down to 12v on the sounder. turn the light off and i would get 12.6 and declining. even after a good run it didnt get much better.

im guessing i need to get a tester kit, start the engine and see if its charging.

at what point in a batteries life do you need to recharge it every time you come home???

can i charge it in the boat, or do i have to take it out?

[IWANNABROCK]

If your motor has its own alternator or generator and you use your boat frequently then you shouldnt have to charge it. buy a multi meter and check voltage at battery,then start motor and check again turn lights and all other powered devises on and see if volts drop or stay consistent they should raise up and level out between 12.5-14 volts if generator working. you need ventilation around battery when charging so fumes can escape. can leave in boat so long as its not enclosed.

[rodf]

Caine,

Good advice from IWANNAJEWY, if you have a multimeter, that's the best way to test your battery/alternator.

Batteries are a 'black art', so get yourself a good battery charger, and I mean a good one!

I purchased a $35 charger from a retail store and it was useless and ended up shortening the life of my battery, so I got some advice and went out and bought a real battery charger.

It's a four phase charger :

1. Starting phase - current is restricted until terminal voltage rises over a preset level.

2. Bulk/Primary phase - apprx 80% of charging occurs at this stage.

3. Absorbtion/Analysis phase - final charging phase, voltage is reduced. Also monitors voltage drop.

4. Maintenance phase - charging varies between 95%-100%, and 'pulses' battery when voltage sinks.

They aren't cheap - $100-$300 depending - I bought the CTEK Multi XS 7000 and it cost about $270!!!

They also have a conditioning mode which is used to recondition very discharged batteries that may be 'acid stratified'.

But it keeps my familes car/s and (previous) boat battery in great condition.

Rod

[caine]

Caine,

Good advice from IWANNAJEWY, if you have a multimeter, that's the best way to test your battery/alternator.

Batteries are a 'black art', so get yourself a good battery charger, and I mean a good one!

I purchased a $35 charger from a retail store and it was useless and ended up shortening the life of my battery, so I got some advice and went out and bought a real battery charger.

It's a four phase charger :

1. Starting phase - current is restricted until terminal voltage rises over a preset level.

2. Bulk/Primary phase - apprx 80% of charging occurs at this stage.

3. Absorbtion/Analysis phase - final charging phase, voltage is reduced. Also monitors voltage drop.

4. Maintenance phase - charging varies between 95%-100%, and 'pulses' battery when voltage sinks.

They aren't cheap - $100-$300 depending - I bought the CTEK Multi XS 7000 and it cost about $270!!!

They also have a conditioning mode which is used to recondition very discharged batteries that may be 'acid stratified'.

But it keeps my familes car/s and (previous) boat battery in great condition.

Rod

doh I just got a cheapy, should i give it a bash or take it back

[IWANNABROCK]

doh I just got a cheapy, should i give it a bash or take it back

A cheap charger will still charge battery. Dont leave it on for more 10- 12 hours or so. the dearer chargers cycle on and off to keep battery good. over charging is what will kill a battery not the price of the charger.

[caine]

thanks mate