battery check

[jmarty10]

Had a geat day on the boat Sunday. when I was starting my 3.0 mercruiser I could pretty much tell it was having a hard time cranking. Believe it or not I started the boat 3 times Sunday and the last time it barely started. So, at the end of the day I pulled up to my marina dock and had marina mechanic look at the issue and the boat was dead. Great place to die, right at marina dock! He said battery is dead and a couple of the alternator wires were disconnected? He re-attached the wires, jumped tha battery and it started. I let it run for about 10 minutes and pulled it up on trailer and turned off.

I'm going out on Thursday. Is there going to be a problem with the battery? Is it charged and will it keep the charge. The baterry is a interstate marine battery. Thanks all.

 

[triumph190]

Re: battery check

I would not bank on that battery being charged. If you only ran the boat for 10min, no way that battery is fully charge. I would charge it up with a portable charger of some sort before I took it aout again.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: battery check

So, if I get the boat started again it will charge the battery? Am I correct in thinking a battery is not dead if it is drained because it can be charged again? Batteries are dead when they can not hold the charge correct? I'm wondering if I have to replace the battery?

 

[hard-3]

Re: battery check

take it out and charge it up and have it load tested. the interstate dealer will do for free most cases.some batterys fail when ran completely dead. Dual batteries are not a bad idea either. when reinstalled check alternator voltage should be 13.8-14.2 volts when running at fast idle. check with a good volt- ohm meter positive to negative battery terminals. If you don't have a meter sears has one that will work for less than $20 sooner or later you will need one if you own a boat long enough !!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: battery check

batteries do not like to be completely drained, put a full charge on it with a charger, and have it loaded tested, any auto parts store will do it for free. you can't rope start that motor.