Do I need to charge my batterie ?

[Maps]

My batterie gauge indicates 11 volts . Should I charge it before my first run of the season or do I have enough juice to start my motor as is ?
Is 11volts to harsh on the alternator ?
Motor is a 5.0 Gxi

My Boat was serviced at the dealer 6 weeks ago .

I don't want to be stuck at the ramp .
thx!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

you should have 12.6 before starting, full charge it. if it does not take the charge, have it load tested at an auto parts store. or if it drops after starting, load test it.
i also always start mine on muffs, prior to leaving home.

 

[12vMan]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

Good idea in the off season to keep a charger/maintainer on it. It will increase the longevity of the battery life.

 

[Maps]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

I removed the battery and and wired it on a charger , it read charge complete . Now I'm a newbie with chargers so...

Muffs ! Got to get a pair , how to they work ?

 

[Kev144]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

I removed the battery and and wired it on a charger , it read charge complete . Now I'm a newbie with chargers so...

Muffs ! Got to get a pair , how to they work ?

They hook around the lower unit where it sucks in the water and you hook the hose to the muffs and turn the water on THEN start the boat. Assure that the muffs are properly on the opening where it sucks in water or else kaboom.

 

[12vMan]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

Does your charger have a volt meter? Even if it's an auto charger that shuts automatically you should be OK.

Put the battery in the boat.

The muffs are to run the motor with a hose connected for cooling without being immersed in water. Use the muffs on your outdrive where the water intake is (look like grates on either side above the prop), hook up the hose, turn on the water, make sure the motor area is clear of people and anything else, and start it up.

Best to have someone around with experience if you new at this.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

never leave the boat while running on muffs, kids and dogs or just vibration, have caused many motors to burn up, when the muffs accidentally fall off.

 

[Diamonddave952]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

I am relatively new to boating I was out on the lake with my family yesterday and have a similiar question. I bought a used 1991 Chaparral 2000 SL a few months ago and just love boating. The volt meter in my boat read 10V (before I start the engine), once the engine is started, the volt meter reads 14V. I would expect that once my engine is started, the charge on the battery would hold - however, its not. Is there something wrong with my alternator or battery? Could there be a short somewhere that is slowly draining my battery? I just don't want to be stranded on the lake. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

 

[bustedflush]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

Sounds like your battery is going bad. If you have a charger, pull the battery and chage it ovenight. You can buy a good digital charger for 50-60 bucks that will tell you if there is something wrong with the battery... always good to have one around to help maintain the car batteries anyway. A good battery will draw between 12.5 and 14 volts off the alternator when running and should show 12 volts when not running. So you sound like yours is borderline.You can take it to an autoparts store and have them test it and charge it for you. If you continue to have problems after the battery is charged/replaced then you should start digging in to the wiring (fun) to see if you have a short, after that it may be a problem with the alternator.

Good luck,
Bustedflush

 

[brianvolt7]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

The motor should be putting out between 12 and 14.5 Volts to charge your battery. Your battery should be good to start your motor at 11 but I would recommend charging before you leave. If your battery is good then the motor will bring it up, if it is bad, like diamonddave?s, then the motor will not charge it. I would look into the solar RV battery charger (try iboats first). I use one on my quad and boat, they are regulated to not overcharge and free to run. I leave them plugged in year around.

 

[F_R]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

I am relatively new to boating I was out on the lake with my family yesterday and have a similiar question. I bought a used 1991 Chaparral 2000 SL a few months ago and just love boating. The volt meter in my boat read 10V (before I start the engine), once the engine is started, the volt meter reads 14V. I would expect that once my engine is started, the charge on the battery would hold - however, its not. Is there something wrong with my alternator or battery? Could there be a short somewhere that is slowly draining my battery? I just don't want to be stranded on the lake. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

Batteries consist of 6 cells in series, each one providing roughly 2 volts. Guess what? a 12 volt battery pack reading 10 volts has a dead cell. Your alternator is working just fine as evidenced by the 14V when you run it. Replace that battery. If you want, you can have it load tested first.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

Hey MAPS yeah I really hate getting stuck at the ramp too.

That's why I always start the boat up before I leave the house, I use a blue barrel instead of muffs.

It's great that way when you drop your boat in and it just fires right up.

Makes the whole ramp experience so much better.

 

[Seon]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

..That's why I always start the boat up before I leave the house...

The problem with that is if your battery is low and only has one or two start left, those starts drains it down below 12 volts. Then at the next try, the battery just grinds the starter :redface:. I've been there and done that .

If it's been sitting a while, best to check the charge with a meter.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Do I need to charge my batterie ?

An Alternator needs to be at full output for about 30 minutes to recover from a start, longer if it was a long hard start (fist after sitting) That said, I charge mine the night before I go out ('bout 4 hours). I dont do pre runs, it ran fine last weekend, shoud run fine this weekend!