How To Change A Jet Ski Battery
- by Joe Weber - updated on 8/16/2023
Owning a personal watercraft can provide you with endless fun and excitement on the water, but like any vehicle, it requires proper maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Changing the battery might sound intimidating, but in this guide, we'll walk you through the process of changing a personal watercraft battery, so you can get back to riding the waves in no time.
Before You Begin
Before diving into replacing your Jet Ski or WaveRunner battery, make sure to gather the necessary tools. You'll need gloves, safety goggles, a wrench or socket set, a battery terminal cleaner and of course, a new personal watercraft battery.
Step 1: Safety First
Safety should always be at the forefront when handling any maintenance task. Especially when working on electronics. Before starting, make sure the personal watercraft's engine is off, the key is removed from the ignition and you've removed it from the water. Additionally, wearing gloves and safety goggles will protect your hands and eyes from any potential hazards.
Step 2: Locate the Battery
The location of the battery may vary depending on the personal watercraft's make and model. Typically, you can find it under the seat or in a designated compartment near the engine. Refer to your personal watercraft's user manual for specific instructions on locating the battery.
Step 3: Disconnect the Old Battery
Using a wrench or socket set, carefully loosen and remove the negative (-) battery cable first. Always disconnect the negative terminal before the positive (+) terminal to prevent any short circuits. Once the negative cable is removed, disconnect the positive cable.
Step 4: Remove the Old Battery
After disconnecting the battery cables, gently lift out the old battery. Be careful not to damage any surrounding components or tip the battery to avoid spilling battery acid.
Step 5: Clean the Battery Terminals
Before installing the new battery, it's essential to clean the battery terminals thoroughly. Use a battery terminal cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water to remove any corrosion or debris on the terminals. Make sure to clean both the terminals and the battery cables to ensure a good connection.
Step 6: Charge the New Battery
Before installing the new battery. Make sure you connect the battery to a personal watercraft charger to ensure that it is charged up and ready to go.
Step 7: Install the New Battery
Carefully place the new battery into the compartment, ensuring it sits securely. Connect the positive cable first, followed by the negative cable. Tighten the connections snugly but avoid over-tightening so you don't damage the terminals.
Step 8: Check Battery Voltage
Before you hit the waves, check the battery's voltage with a multimeter to ensure it's fully charged and ready to power your personal watercraft. If it isn't fully charged, connect it to a charger to charge it up fully before you use it.
Step 9: Start the personal watercraft
With the new battery installed and all connections secure, turn the ignition key to start the personal watercraft. Listen for any unusual sounds and check that all electrical systems are functioning correctly. Just remember to be quick, don't let the personal watercraft run for more than 30 seconds so the internal components that are usually submerged in water don't overheat.
That Wasn't Hard, Was It?
Changing a personal watercraft battery might seem daunting at first, but with the right tools and a step-by-step approach, it becomes a pretty simple task. Regularly inspecting the battery for corrosion and replacing the battery when needed ensures a reliable and enjoyable personal watercraft experience.
It's important to remember that whenever your personal watercraft is not being used or you are done for the season, you connect the battery to a battery maintainer to ensure that the battery stays charged and healthy during the off-season.
If you need help finding the best new battery for your personal watercraft, then look no further than the battery experts at your local Batteries Plus. At Batteries Plus, we carry a large selection of personal watercraft batteries from brands like Duracell Ultra, Odyssey, Xtreme and our own premium brand X2Power.
Stop in and see us today! Whether you just need to have your battery tested to make sure it's still in tip-top shape or you need a new one, we are here to help.