Marquis 500 Sport Bridge Owner's Manual page 106

A Tip From Marquis!
consider purchasing and carrying a spare set of props onboard. Many marine dealers do not carry a full inventory of re-
placement propellers . a spare set allows your vacation or cruise to continue in the event that the primary set of props
are damaged.
STRUTS
Propeller shaft struts require very little maintenance . Within each strut is a cutlass bearing that provides a smooth surface for the shaft
to rotate . The cutlass bearings occasionally need to be replaced . However, bearing replacement is required more often if the yacht is
used in sand or within other abrasive materials . Have a marine technician inspect the strut bearings when the yacht is pulled . Replace
the bearings as recommended .
DC ELECTRICAL SYSTEm
Poor battery maintenance causes the majority of difficulties with the 12-volt DC electrical system . The factory-installed batteries
should function normally for several years if properly maintained . The heavy-duty batteries can be discharged and recharged repeat-
edly without damaging them; however, completely discharging or overcharging a battery can shorten its life span .
To maximize the useful life of the batteries:
• Use the voltmeters to frequently monitor the voltage level of each battery or battery bank while the engines are running and the
yacht is used .
• Monitor the charge level with the engines turned off (static condition) .
• Recharge the batteries, when not fully charged, using the onboard battery charger or the engine alternators . Refer to Section 2:
Charging the Batteries for more information . When the battery bank is fully charged, the voltmeter reads between 12 .3 and 12 .6
volts .
• Do not store partially charged batteries . Recharge each battery, if necessary . Check the voltage level every 30 days while the
battery is in storage . Recharge if the voltage reads 12 .3 or below .
WarNiNg
ELEctRicAL ShOck mAy OccUR iF thE bAttERiES ARE nOt DiScOnnEctED DURing mAintEnAncE OF thE Dc
ELEctRicAL SyStEm.
InSpect the batterIeS eVery month:
• Clean corrosion that has developed on the battery terminals .
• Spray terminal protector on the terminals and battery cable eye connectors .
• Make sure the battery cables are securely fastened to the terminals .
• Tighten the nuts only slightly beyond finger tight with a wrench .
Spray the connections for the bridge instruments and switches with an electrical connection protector every six months .
FRESh WATER SYSTEm
Flush and sanitize the fresh water system at least once every season .
• Flushing involves draining all water from the system .
• Sanitizing involves using a commercially-made fresh water tank sanitizing liquid that is available at many marine supply stores .
Shower
The water flow from a shower head may become restricted due to the accumulation of sediment in the shower head . Remove the
head and rinse with clean water if water flow is restricted . If necessary, clean the discharge holes with a narrow wire .
water tapS
Periodically remove and clean the filter screens from the sinks' water taps . Rinse the screens with clean water . If necessary, clean
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aintenance aintenance
5027 • E5 09/2011