Newbie Battery questions

[dsteele1]

I've had my boat a few weeks now and am getting ready to check the battery cell levels. I have two Interstate 27M Batteries on a Quest Charging system. Questions:

1. Is it best to shut off the shore power main breaker before I take off the cell covers so the charger is off while I've got the covers off? Or is there a better way. (Don't need any explosions of acid in my face) :wow:

2. The covers are on TIGHT! Whats the best way to remove the covers without destroying them. :smt013

3. Fill the low cells with distilled water till the tops of the plates are covered? :huh:

4. Why do they have two "Cranking" batteries. Isn't one supposed to be for the accessories (Deep Cycle)

5. How long will my batteries last? They are 2 1/2 years old now.

Thanks!

 

[MLauman]

I've had my boat a few weeks now and am getting ready to check the battery cell levels. I have two Interstate 27M Batteries on a Quest Charging system. Questions:

1. Is it best to shut off the shore power main breaker before I take off the cell covers so the charger is off while I've got the covers off? Or is there a better way. (Don't need any explosions of acid in my face) :wow:

2. The covers are on TIGHT! Whats the best way to remove the covers without destroying them. :smt013

3. Fill the low cells with distilled water till the tops of the plates are covered? :huh:

4. Why do they have two "Charging" batteries. Isn't one supposed to be for the accessories (Deep Cycle)

5. How long will my batteries last? They are 2 1/2 years old now.

Thanks!

1. There is no additional pressure created by having the charger on and I personally never turn mine off while adding water. You need to be cautious anyway by avoiding splashing and by protecting your eyes while removing the caps and adding water.

2. I use a medium flat-blade screwdriver and slowly pry the caps off (they are joined in sets of 3). There is a designated place for this near the center cap (of the 3 that are joined).

3. Yes.

4. You mean 'cranking' or 'starting'? If you have SRM-27 batteries then they are actually dual purpose - cranking / deep cycle. You'll get different opinions on this, but that is a pretty common setup on single-engine cruisers. Mine is that way and I like to rotate the batteries - use Batt 1 today and Batt 2 tomorrow, etc. by selecting it on the battery switch. Never use BOTH unless you need both to crank the engine. This method guarantees that you should have a hot standby in case your battery-of-the-day should get low.

5. Depends on several factors, but I have been averaging about 4 years with my wet cells (I used to use SRM27 - now use SRM29). Keep adequate fluid levels and try not to let them run down really low for best results. You can ruin a brand new battery in short order if you neglect it.

BTW, not sure about your boat, but I found it helpful to have a mirror handy when checking levels.