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T
o reMove The baTTerY cables
1. Turn off all items drawing power from the battery.
2. If equipped, turn off the "converter" breaker at
the main distribution panel.
3. Turn the battery switch to the OFF position
(Battery switch is optional equipment on
some models).
4. Remove the negative cable first, then the
positive cable.
5. With a clean rag, remove grease and dirt from
the top surface of the battery.
6. To replace the cables, first replace the positive
cable, then the negative.
b
M
aTTerY
ainTenance
•
Check the fluid levels in the cells approximately
every 4 weeks, and weekly in summer and
hot zones.
•
The fluid level must be between the lower and
upper markings.
•
Replenish only with distilled water. Do not use
metal funnel.
•
Coat battery terminal clamps with silicone
grease. Keep battery clean and dry.
Battery life is shortened if it is drained to 20
percent (11.6V) charge before recharging, or
if left in a discharged state (less than 12.4V)
for days. It is recommended that a battery not
be discharged more than 50 percent (approx.
12.2V). If the battery does become run down,
recharge it as soon as possible.
Running the engine to recharge the battery may not
be effective. The alternator only creates charging
power at higher engine speeds, so simply idling or
trolling will not generate enough power to recharge
the battery.
If you need to charge a battery, use only a
battery charger designed to charge automotive/
marine batteries. Use charger only when battery
is disconnected from the boat's electrical circuit.
Follow the charger instructions.
26
270SD_Book 1.indb 26
270 S
undeck
:
e
S
lectrical
If the boat is equipped with dockside power and
an AC/DC converter/battery charger, keep it on
when shore power is available. This will keep the
batteries properly charged and allow use of the
DC powered equipment on board without draining
the battery.
If the boat is equipped with an on-board battery
charger option, keep it plugged in when the
boat is not in use and it will automatically
maintain the battery. Disconnection of the
battery is not necessary with an on-board,
pre-wired battery charger.
l
T
b
ong
erM
aTTerY
r
ecoMMenDaTions
When a boat is not going to be used for a long
period of time (more than 3 weeks), then steps
should be taken to ensure that the batteries are
properly maintained to mitigate low voltage issues
in the future.
A battery "maintainer" (smart charger) should be in
use anytime the boat is not operational. Primarily
this is done through shore power, but a dedicated
battery maintainer can be used directly to a battery
if warranted (i.e., boat not equipped with shore
power, shore power unavailable, etc.). Be sure
the battery maintainer is matched to the battery
technology in use (sealed lead acid, absorbed
glass mat, etc.) and is only used on the appropriate
number of batteries.
Adequate ventilation is always a consideration when
batteries are being charged due to the production of
O
and H
(oxygen and hydrogen), even with sealed
2
2
batteries. Regardless of where the batteries are
located, ensure there is sufficient ventilation where
a battery is being charged.
If the boat is on a trailer, or is being hauled out and
placed in dry storage, (i.e., boat rack or blocks)
one should consider physically disconnecting the
batteries from the boat and placing them on a
maintainer. The batteries could be left in the boat
but electrically disconnected from the boat if the
batteries are easily accessible for maintenance,
the ventilation is sufficient, and temperatures do not
yStem
s
M
Torage anD
ainTenance
270 Sundeck
11/5/2014 9:02:31 AM
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