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UP A CREEK WITH A DEAD BATTERY
If you have a bass boat, you have at least three batteries. These batteries are responsible for starting your outboard, and running your electronics, and trolling motor. Any failure and you are dead in the water.
Batteries depend upon a chemical reaction of sulfuric acid with lead plates to create direct electric current. As the reaction proceeds, sulfates are deposited on the plates, reducing their ability to produce current.
Recharging batteries puts sulfates back into the solution, which in turn gives the battery the potential to provide electricity once again.
Make sure you use the right battery for the application. Marine batteries with their heavier plates and stronger internal construction are built for rough duty.
Be careful around batteries. Wear long sleeved shirts and goggles for eye protection. Rubber gloves are a good idea too. Only work on batteries in a well ventilated space.
I have spoken to Tom Harvey with Hollin Hall Shell. He is an outdoorsman and runs a great automobile repair shop. Tom has agreed to assist bass boaters with battery diagnostic and replacement. He has special rates for INTERSTATE MARINE BATTERIES. Call him personally at 703-765-3722. Tell Tom that you heard about this from Steve Chaconas.
Here are a few tips that will help you maintain your battery systems.
Check The Connections
Make sure all battery connections are tight and clean of corrosion. Clean if needed with a solution of baking soda and water, a rag and a wire brush or sandpaper. Run a thin bead of silicone around the base of the battery post and install a felt battery washer. Coat everything with the grease to eliminate contact with the battery gas.
Check Water Levels
Check all batteries and make sure fluid is at least 1/8 inch over the plates, but do not fill to the top of the case. Use distilled water. Best to check while battery is warm and water is expanded to prevent boil over. It is not necessary to remove your battery caps when charging.
Charge After Use
Always charge your batteries as soon as possible after use! Never store your batteries below 90 percent of charge, which will shorten battery life. Transformers used in today’s chargers shut the unit off to prevent overcharging. There are many stages these charges do though to return your batteries to full charge. I use the Dual Pro 3 Bank charger (1-800-742-2740 www.dualpro.com). This is built into my Skeeter and I just plug in to the built in receptacle and I am done.
Testing
Periodic battery testing is a must. Deep cycle batteries used with trolling motors are very different from automobile batteries. Testing is different.
*Done properly, you must know the ampere-hour testing of your battery. (Most group 27 batteries are rated at 105 ampere-hour)
*The battery must be fully charged and each cell tested with a hydrometer, making sure all cells read 1275 or better. Cells must not vary more than 10 points. If one cell is more than 10 points low, then your battery is bad.
*Hook headlamps to the battery and measure the amp draw. Hook them to the battery and take a gravity reading every hour, recording the hydrometer readings…it should drop evenly between cells…for as many hours as it takes to add to 100 amps, you’ll need to run them for 10 hours (10 amps X 10 hours= 100 amps)
The gravity reading should not vary more than 10 points for cell to cell while doing this test. If they vary, the low reading cell is weak and you should replace your battery.
An Easier Way
Most of us never test our batteries nor will we ever. Try testing this way. Fully charge the batteries, test with a hydrometer, and then go fishing. …If you make it back, before you charge your batteries, check each cell with a hydrometer again. You readings will be lower than your previous reading, but each cell should not vary more than 10 points from the other. If a cell varies more than 10 points, you have a bad battery.
Same In Series
For better performance, when there is more than one battery wired, either in a series or in parallel, make sure all batteries are of the same size and replaced at the same time.
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