Get Your Boat Batteries Ready for Spring
- by Joe Weber - updated on 2/29/2024
It's time to get the boat ready for your first spring outing. The itch to get out on the water for fishing, watersports and relaxing is strong. But you can't just take the cover off your boat and go. You should take some steps to ensure your boat's batteries are just as ready for the fun as you are.
Before You Begin
Your boat's (and your battery's) owner's manual can be a great resource for helpful maintenance tips to get you started on the right foot this spring. Don't be afraid to crack it open and familiarize yourself with its contents.
One important thing to remember is that you should never be afraid to call the experts at Batteries Plus if there is anything that you are unsure of in the manual or when you are working with your batteries. We are here to help.
Step 1: Safety First
Whenever working with your battery you should think of your safety before touching the battery. There are a few precautions you should take before you begin working with batteries.
- Wear safety glasses
- Wear acid-resistant clothing and gloves
- Remove any jewelry that could come in contact with battery terminals
- Don't work near open flames or sparks
- Don't smoke!
Step 2: Clean the Battery
A clean battery is a happy battery. By regularly using a terminal protection kit to clean and remove corrosion, you can prolong the life of your battery and avoid premature failure.
Find out how to easily perform this crucial task in "How to Clean Car Battery Corrosion: Step-by-Step". The steps outlined in this article are for a car or truck but the process is the same.
Step 3: Charge Them Up
Your marine batteries should be charged using the appropriate charger after they've been cleaned. You can do this overnight while you're sleeping, and after the cycle is complete in the morning, you can move on to filling the batteries if needed, which we'll talk about next.
Important Tips
Check the flooded battery's cells before charging; if the battery plates are not covered in electrolyte, do not charge them. Instead, fill the cells with distilled water until just the tops of the plates are covered with liquid. Then they are ready for charging.
Charge your batteries in a well-ventilated area, like a garage or workshop and never in your home.
Make sure you charge your lithium batteries with a charger designed to work with lithium batteries. Lithium batteries have different charging requirements than lead-acid batteries.
In general, it's a good idea to charge your batteries once a month, even in the off-season.
Step 4: Top Off the Battery Cells with Distilled Water (Flooded Lead-Acid Only)
This is something that you don't need to do for Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM), Gel, and Lithium batteries. If you are getting any of those batteries ready for the spring, you can skip to the next step.
With flooded lead-acid batteries you will want to routinely check and add distilled water to the battery to keep the plates completely submerged in the electrolyte solution to keep them functioning properly.
For detailed information on how to fill your batteries, read our blog article, "Does My Battery Need Watering?"
Step 5: Test the Batteries
Testing the voltage of your marine batteries is easy and an important part of keeping tabs on the health of your battery.
How to test marine batteries yourself
Testing your boat batteries is quick and easy. All you need is a multimeter. It's best to wait a day after disconnecting the charger to complete the test.
- Make sure the filler caps are reinstalled before you begin if you've filled your batteries with distilled water.
- Set your multimeter to a low setting where it can accurately measure around 15 volts of direct current (DC).
- Connect the leads of the multimeter to both battery terminals, with the red lead going to the positive and the black to the negative.
- Interpret the test results (See below chart for a 12V battery)
| Lead Acid | Lithium | |
|---|---|---|
| Optimal Range | 12.4V - 12.7V | 13.2V - 13.6V |
| Low | 12.2V and lower | 13.0V and lower |
| High | 12.9V and higher | 13.8V and higher |
If your readings are low or high it doesn't necessarily mean your battery is bad. The optimal voltage range will also depend on the type of lead acid battery, i.e. Flooded versus Sealed Lead Acid (AGM or Gel).
A low reading could mean that you need to charge it more and it was removed from the charger before the battery came to a complete charge.
A high reading means that the battery most likely has a surface charge that will dissipate if you let the battery rest a while. Another possible concern is that the battery is overcharged and you should connect an accessory to the battery to use that extra energy to bring it back down to a healthy level.
Have the battery tested by a professional
Testing a car battery with a multimeter is a straightforward task but we realize that not everyone has the know-how or the tools to complete it. Simply bring your batteries to your nearest Batteries Plus to have them tested by our battery experts, free of charge.
Having your batteries tested professionally adds another level of testing that you can't do with just a multimeter. Testing the battery with Batteries Plus will also simulate a load on the battery that will help determine whether the battery is good, bad or on the verge of needing a replacement.
Step 6: Reinstall the Batteries If You Removed Them From the Boat
If you've removed the battery(ies) from your boat during the winter, now is the time to reinstall them in the boat.
Some tips for keeping your batteries secure and safe in your boat:
- Remember to document the date of installation either by using a grease pencil directly on the battery or by keeping a record in a logbook.
- Securely fasten the battery in place using a designated battery box or bracket. Be sure to double-check that it meets standards set by the American Boat and Yacht Council.
- For optimal performance, replace wingnuts with stainless steel lock nuts for secure connections.
- Use heat-shrink tubing to tightly cover crimped terminals.
- Ensure proper protection for the positive terminal. For added safety, consider purchasing affordable terminal covers to prevent potential damage to the terminals from tools or other objects falling on the battery.
Get Your Boat Ready with Help From Batteries Plus
As you prepare for the spring boating season, don't forget about your boat batteries. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your boat's power source is healthy and ready to go when you hit the water. Need extra help? Stop by, give us a call or visit our blog to get any extra assistance you may need.
Regular maintenance and proper storage are key to extending the life of your batteries and avoiding any issues while out on the water. So take the time now to check and maintain your boat batteries, and enjoy a worry-free boating experience this spring!