Charging Battery

[DocG2828]

Ok, this is going to sound like a total newbie question....but....what's the deal with batteries needing charging all the time on boats. We're getting a new boat tomorrow, and plan to keep it stored at a marina. We will probably use it every few days. Should I worry about the battery needin to be charged? Or is it more of an issue when the boat sits for too long? Any general timeframe in which a battery is likely to go dead. Since the boat won't be stored by electrical, I don't want to be caught with my pants down and no way of charging a dead battery!

 

[Rudy Brown]

Re: Charging Battery

A wet cell battery can lose as much as 1% of its charge a day just sitting. I think if you fully charge the battery once a month and check the water level, you'll be ok.

 

[DocG2828]

Re: Charging Battery

So its not likely to go dead (where the boat wouldn't start) in a matter of 1-2 weeks? Does it recharge from the alternator when running like a car?

 

[Rudy Brown]

Re: Charging Battery

I wouldnt think it would discharge in 1-2 weeks, if its in good condition. And yes the alt does charge the battery.

 

[Rudy Brown]

Re: Charging Battery

And I would make sure its a deep cycle/starting battery. If its not a deep cycle, it might kill the battery if it discharges several times. I would buy the best battery I could afford.

 

[QC]

Re: Charging Battery

Doc,<br /><br />Does this boat have multiple batteries? If so you should do a search on charging multiples etc. Either way, single or double, make sure you install a battery switch if the boat does not already have one. The biggest issue to worry about if you are truly gonna see the boat every few days is leaving something on. A battery switch prevents this (check to make sure your bilge pump bypasses this switch if you are leaving her in a slip . . .).<br /><br />My batteries will hold a strong enough charge to start my boat for about 2 months without a charge, and they are less than new . . . Yes, small boat batteries are charged by the engine mounted alternator just like a car. On a larger boat you could have a combination of charger scenarios i.e. house batteries vs. starting batteries sometimes charged by the boats auxiliary generator etc. Some smaller boats have one starting battery and one deep cycle and should be charged independently of each other, the main reason I suggested a search. Lots of info and conflicting opinions on this topic . . . <br /><br />Edit: BTW, welcome to iboats

 

[DocG2828]

Re: Charging Battery

Thanks! Its a 17.5' bowrider, so I'm guessing its a single battery. I'll check into the battery switch. For now I'll just be careful to leave things off and maybe keep the charger in the car when we goto the marina. It'll be stored out of water so the bilge isn't a concern.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Charging Battery

I never charge my bowrider's battery during the season...use the boat once every 2 weeks or so. It always charges itself just fine off the alternator, and I do disconnect when not in use to eliminate any parasitic drain from the stereo's clock, etc. I give it a full charge and water check before storing for winter and again before taking out of mothballs in spring.<br /><br />I'll add that I do a lot of watersports. So the boat is running much of the time, yet again it is also started/shut down 20 times per day as I fully insist on ignition OFF whenever anyone enters/leaves the boat into the water. So my battery gets used for cranking quite heavily every 10 minutes or so, but that still seems adequate to keep it fully charged. We also end long days of waterskiing by taking a nice hour long relaxation/dry-off cruise before parking it, so that helps to restore the charge I'm sure.<br /><br />In my estimation, people with batteries on their boat that need to be charged regularly are either a). not installed on a charging circuit at all...like many trolling motor/accessory batteries, b.) Old or not properly suited or sized for their task, c.) not used regularly enough, or d.) installed on a boat that has other electrical problems that are causing a low amp drain while parked.<br /><br />Something else to consider: Are you the type of boater who who drives the boat 15 minutes to a favorite party cove, where you sit and swim/sunbathe for 4 hours with the radio on, then drive 15 minutes back to the dock? If yes, then you many need more charge time. But if you're doing plenty of driving/cruising, it should charge itself. That's IF everything is working and maintained properly.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Charging Battery

if you running a lot of electronics, or a boost amp on the stereo, i would use 2 batteries. on for starting one for the toys, or if you do a lot of night use with lots of courtesy lights.