saltwater and batteries

[rg4554]

Have 20ft sundance with minn kota 3 bank onboard charger (waterproof) with two deep cycle and one cranking all 12 volt. All located in aft of boat on floor under the platform.

All got soaked with saltwater on last trip out. When home used onboard charger to charge batteries and boat set for about 30 days. Now ALL batteries are dead and will not take a charge from any charger (tried several)

Could the saltwater have shorted the batteries. Has anyone else had this problem.

Thanks in advance for answers.

 

[mthieme]

Re: saltwater and batteries

Salt water and batteries don't get along together very well.
I don't know how you would test them in such a situation.
I can tell you that you can dump them and put in new acid. They won't be the same though.
You might wait for some more opinions from posters with better experience. I don't know if the plates could be damaged or not.

 

[twostroke87]

Re: saltwater and batteries

I soaking of salt water shouldn't do all that damage so suddenly. I have seen boats go under, terminals boil themselves off, and when the battery is taken out, dried and removed. I still has a charge and can take a charge (actually did that today, was about to throw one out, but I decided to load test it and it turned up to be charged and it handled the load fine)

I would ask you, did you by any chance check to see what their voltage was when you put them on the charge, and how high of an amperage did you set the charger on, for 30 days I couldn't imagine it being that much.

Its possible that the batterys were fully charged when you put them on the charger, and that 30 days, even on a low charge has burned them up. This can be evident if you smelled a rotten eggs smell near them while they are charging. Indicating they are burning up.

The point is though they are dead now, I would just accept the loss and purchase new batteries. changing the acid my help for a bit, but once a battery gets fried or is allowed to be completely dead, it in essence will be like a broken wire, no charge will take because there is no connection between plates in the batterys.

Hope this helps

 

[rg4554]

Re: saltwater and batteries

I would ask you, did you by any chance check to see what their voltage was when you put them on the charge, and how high of an amperage did you set the charger on, for 30 days I couldn't imagine it being that much.


Don't know how low they were but had a good full two days on he water fishing and the wind was strong. They were put on charge in the morning and tken off that night when charger light was green.

Have new info, since first post have checked charger with volt meter. One bank is putting out only six volts and other two only two or three,

A fishing buddy thinks the salt on the battery poles have caused some type of short involving all. Seems a strech to me but....

Anyway thanks to all who have replied guess going to buy three battreies and another onboard charger but... going to look into relocating same in the boat
Again thanks to all

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: saltwater and batteries

Are the batteries all sealed (no caps on top)? If so, the salt water should not have caused the issue, then you should have them checked with a known good charger and a discharge test. It could be just the charger is toasted. Either way, I would have them load tested before you buy the new ones.

TerryMSU

 

[rg4554]

Re: saltwater and batteries

Are the batteries all sealed (no caps on top)? If so, the salt water should not have caused the issue, then you should have them checked with a known good charger and a discharge test. It could be just the charger is toasted. Either way, I would have them load tested before you buy the new ones.

TerryMSU

The batteries have caps not sealed. Also Minn Kota website states that charger is sealed against water but.... found evidence of water inside the charger. Going back to manufactuer with this but probably waste of time.

Am going to have batteries tested tomorrow and am hoping for the best. Replacement of batteries and charger close to $600.(ouch)

Thanks for your reply

 

[rg4554]

Re: saltwater and batteries

Have 20ft sundance with minn kota 3 bank onboard charger (waterproof) with two deep cycle and one cranking all 12 volt. All located in aft of boat on floor under the platform.

All got soaked with saltwater on last trip out. When home used onboard charger to charge batteries and boat set for about 30 days. Now ALL batteries are dead and will not take a charge from any charger (tried several)

Could the saltwater have shorted the batteries. Has anyone else had this problem.

Thanks in advance for answers.

GOOD NEWS
On the phone with minn kota yesterday and explained water in the charger (same is supposed to be sealed).
They are standing behind their product and actually put replacement in transit that day. The old one is being sent back this day.
Now believe that charger is the root of battery problems. Think it probably fried same.
Again thanks to all for your help