Question about batteries for my new boat

[mikereno1]

i bought a 2000 Cobalt last month and winterized it a couple weeks ago. It has 2 new interstate deep cycle batteries that I pulled out and put in the garage for the winter. Should I put them on a battery tender for the winter or just let them sit as is?

Also, the boat has a perko switch and the previous owner left it off when he wasnt using the boat, but i am going to be leaving it on the water when not in use during the summer.

how should I leave things battery-wise during the summer after we use it and it is going to be sitting for a week or two?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Question about batteries for my new boat

Battery tender - 1 per battery or switch it back and forth. Do NOT hook the batteries together and use 1 tender.

You can leave the switch off when not in use however.......keep the bilge pump directly wired from the flaot switch to the battery so you don't sink

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Question about batteries for my new boat

Trickle Charge 'em up before you put them away. Trickle charge them once over the winter, and again in the spring. No need to get too fancy.

 

[Natesms]

Re: Question about batteries for my new boat

how should I leave things battery-wise during the summer after we use it and it is going to be sitting for a week or two?

Most boats have the bilge pump wired directly to the battery. Turn the switch off, reach down an lift up the float by hand and make sure the bilge kicks on. If it does, then leave the switch in the off position.

"Something" always is pulling a change when its on (might be as small as the clock for the radio but still a drain). By flipping the switch, you preserve the batteries for your next use, along with keeping max charge should the bilge have to go to work.

 

[mikereno1]

Re: Question about batteries for my new boat

Thanks guys. I've got an extra battery tender jr that i will throw on every month or two.

This shows my boating ignorance, but what does the bilge float switch look like? is it always in the same place in the engine bay?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Question about batteries for my new boat

Similar to this Seasense Float Switch 50010330 - iboats BUT< some better bilge pumps have them built in too

 

[Natesms]

Re: Question about batteries for my new boat

And it should be at the very bottom of the bilge roughly under the motor. You will have to get down in there to see it most likely.