Check batteries monthly

Arminius

Arminius

Well-Known Member
Oct 30, 2019
1,066
Seattle
Boat Info
Bowrider 200 Select, 2003
Engines
5.0L MPI, 260 hp w/Alpha 1 Drive
The battery shop said I should check the water level in my battery monthly and add distilled water as necessary. The battery would be ruined if a plate were exposed and turned white. Somehow I had gotten the idea that all new batteries were maintenance free. Awkward job.
 
Arminius said:
The battery shop said I should check the water level in my battery monthly and add distilled water as necessary. The battery would be ruined if a plate were exposed and turned white. Somehow I had gotten the idea that all new batteries were maintenance free. Awkward job.
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I check mine monthly, including my 6v bank that are not maintenance free. I just bought and installed an battery filler system for the 6v bank that replaces the caps and allows me to fill both batteries to the proper level using a hand pump and hose inserted into a bottle of distilled water. Literally takes me 2 minutes now for those ones.
My other bank is a pair of group 27 maintenance free. They are under a cockpit seat, so easy to get at. They get checked at the same time. I very rarely have to add water to those so that shows they are “more” maintenance free than other batteries, but I still top them up about once a season. I think the more deep discharge/charge cycles a battery does influences how much water gets boiled off in the charging cycle. Those group 27s are only starting batteries for one engine now so they really are barely discharged in normal use, which explains the low water consumption.
 
We have smart charger and the batteries sit from October to May or June each year. The water level is down a bit but not much. We used to have the SeaRay original charger over the same time period the result was exposed plates. When using boat for 3 months the batteries would require water before we left the boat.
 
Quality boat batteries are not maintenance free. Only the cheep ones are, or the real expensive AGMs. Checking it is good advice, so the shop was right.

If it needs water more than twice a year, the battery is shot.

The check procedure is actually a piece-o-cake.
 
I was having trouble starting with real slow cranking and occasional gauge issues. I replaced all 4 batteries then popped the covers in the old flooded ones. I couldn't even see water in any of them. My bad for not checking more often.
 
Me too Phil, I was horrible at checking them, have been my entire boating career.

AGMs has taken that off my list of failures to do. Still too long of list for my life, but once less is better….. lol

Phil S said:
I was having trouble starting with real slow cranking and occasional gauge issues. I replaced all 4 batteries then popped the covers in the old flooded ones. I couldn't even see water in any of them. My bad for not checking more often.
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My AMGs lasted more than 8 years (replaced them as a PM move while still working). I never ever did anything to them other than visually inspect the terminals which stayed corrosion free. Replaced them with new AGMs and they are still in the boat today.
 
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Absorbent Glass Mat. My XT5 was AGM equipped because it had stop-start and required more electrical capacity on account of repetitive starting. The subsequent Hemi Cherokee tows better but the battery is difficult to access as it is located under the passenger seat. It has an AGM battery because Jeep can't reasonably expect owners to remove the seat to check the water. Long experience with these two is how I forgot to check my conventional boat battery despite long acquaintance with boats. AGM batteries required a special charger or an added electrical drain to start charging process. Nothing tricky or extra expensive in my boat was my view when I picked conventional. Glad to hear from a satisfied user of AGM.
 
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Chris-380 said:
I went with AGM’s, one of the reasons is I don’t want to check batteries every month, expensive, but so far, worth every penny
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In Summer its not an issue. But off season in Winter the AGMs most definitely DO need to be checked monthly and recharged as needed.

I had the same glorious thoughts about AGMs. Thus, I switched in my 4 boats, 2 tractors and RV. Guess what? After finding out that they were not cost effective I switched back.

My classic car had a Die Hard that was maintained monthly. I just threw it out just because. It was 23 years old and I couldn't believe it.

I get 8 years minimum out of a flooded battery in my boats and equipment. The key is water level and charge. The best I ever got out of an AGM was 8 years. That's what's not cost effective.
 
For me it’s not about cost, it’s about not having to check the level monthly. My boat is in the slip, so year round it has the smart charger on it.

I am about convenience more than anything

GypsmJim said:
In Summer its not an issue. But off season in Winter the AGMs most definitely DO need to be checked monthly and recharged as needed.

I had the same glorious thoughts about AGMs. Thus, I switched in my 4 boats, 2 tractors and RV. Guess what? After finding out that they were not cost effective I switched back.

My classic car had a Die Hard that was maintained monthly. I just threw it out just because. It was 23 years old and I couldn't believe it.

I get 8 years minimum out of a flooded battery in my boats and equipment. The key is water level and charge. The best I ever got out of an AGM was 8 years. That's what's not cost effective.
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Chris-380 said:
For me it’s not about cost, it’s about not having to check the level monthly. My boat is in the slip, so year round it has the smart charger on it.

I am about convenience more than anything
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I agree, checking fluid levels is a PITA, and cost need not be a factor if its easy. That's why I switched to Trojan sealed lead acid batteries. They may cost double, but they last a heckava long time. I simply keep a 12V tester in my ciggy lighter and I have a continuous view of the voltage.

When the voltage goes down I know its time for a new battery. The problem I had with 2 AGMs was that it was not expected. They went woosh all at once.
 
One thing that bothers me about my current setup is how the negative cables go right over the tops of the covers. Still no reason for not checking the water levels though :eek:
 
We just received our 2021 270DX and we have only drivin it about 12 hours on 5 outings, next time both batteries were dead. Yes I had turned the 1/2/on/off battery switch to OFF so I was a little shocked having had a little SR 205 battery last 8 years without every checking it. Perhaps there was some parasitic drain over 14 days but that is tough to swallow. NOw I just keep it plugged in while in the slip via the factory charging system.
 
Mark Maund said:
We just received our 2021 270DX and we have only drivin it about 12 hours on 5 outings, next time both batteries were dead. Yes I had turned the 1/2/on/off battery switch to OFF so I was a little shocked having had a little SR 205 battery last 8 years without every checking it. Perhaps there was some parasitic drain over 14 days but that is tough to swallow. NOw I just keep it plugged in while in the slip via the factory charging system.
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Somting wong!

No question, you DO have a parasitic draw, or a short somewhere. It needs to be troubleshoot by a competent mechanic.

If the switch was truly off (wired correctly), the batteries should not have gone dead.

Whatever you do, DON'T leave it plugged in. If its a short, you could have a situation that could start a fire. I have frequently heard of RVs burning up because of electrical shorts, and the marine systems aren't that much different.
 
A couple circuits bypass the off position. The auto bilge pump is one and the memory for the presets on the radio is another. Bilge pump has a separate dash switch circuit that is controlled by the disconnect. Anyway, some wires remain hot by design and have individual in line fuses. 2021 you say, bound to have another circuit that stays hot by design. You checked the water in battery.
 
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Have never checked battery water other than when I initialized new stored batteries with water and acid out of our parts department in the 70’s. I will check them tomorrow.
 
Mark Maund said:
Have never checked battery water other than when I initialized new stored batteries with water and acid out of our parts department in the 70’s. I will check them tomorrow.
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NEVER! OMG.

The title of this thread is check batteries monthly.
 
GypsmJim-Your right and I will endeavor to do so going forward.
I am gonna contact MMax service and ask them about the charging system on the boat. I never want to hit the switch again and get nada.
 
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