Check batteries monthly

A $150 lithium battery emergency car starter plugged into your boat's USB outlet would make for always available emergency starting. I got a new Grand Cherokee in '20 and noticed it was turning its lights on and off and fine tuning the air suspension while it sat in the garage. Turns out many new cars fail to maintain a starting charge beyond a month. This little emergency battery works great and the USB keeps it topped off. I throw it in the boat when there are issues. No reason it could not be boat gear. I'll check for model # and edit as I have used a particular model with success. Also, I hate to turn down a stranger who needs a jump but now they don't need to go under my hood.
https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GB50-Ul...ocphy=9033333&hvtargid=pla-670612981155&psc=1
 
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So a shout out for battery watering systems like the one I installed. On Saturday I did my fluid check routine and used my battery watering system to fill my 6v bank in less time than it took to open the hatch. I estimate that they took about a cup of water across the two batteries. It works really well. This is what I have. Currently both together cost $69.95. I am not sure why they sell the two parts separately but I guess if you had a fleet of golf carts you would only need one pump bulb kit for all the other filler sets.

https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-RV...eywords=battery+filler&qid=1629135776&sr=8-11

and

https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Rite-RV...737e8&pd_rd_wg=xSDWr&pd_rd_i=B001FC79EW&psc=1
 
Funny thing about this thread. I already knew the answers and i posted accordingly.

Today I had an issue and looked at my owners manual for something else, and by chance the battery section said to check batteries monthly.

LOL.....Haha

So the answer to this and MOST other questions, is always the same.....

Read the diewreckshins.....
 
Preface: Strong and positive thoughts out to all anywhere near Henri’s track or path.

Once again, a CSR PSA “minder” post jogs me out of a stupor and back into the realm of responsible seamanship - I’ve always been mindful of the need to check the battery in the wife’s 190 but the dang thing is such a PIA for a badly broken body to access, unsecure and extract from the cubby they have the 70-lb gargantuan pinched into …

So, this morning, upon reading this thread, I say “Today is the day” and I cancel my plans to shoot skeet.

90-minutes later; and,

Geez, the good Lord is looking out for these land lubbers! After 4 years without a peek, all plates fully submerged and, if anything, each might need an additional 1/4" to 3/8” of distilled water. Whew! Lesson learned; gonna check more often from now on.

Once again, THANK YOU, CSR!!!!!
 
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Creekwood said:
So a shout out for battery watering systems like the one I installed.
Click to expand...

‘Lo Creekwood and yet another convenience I was not aware of!

Question: does this system allow - or obviate - the need to visually “see” (or, “eyeball”) the fluid level in the cells?

Having just one battery, top offs aren’t the issue for me - having to wrestle the danged 70lb behemoth out from under the tramsom, to be able to actually eyeball the cells is …

thanks again and in advance
 
ThorSen said:
‘Lo Creekwood and yet another convenience I was not aware of!

Question: does this system allow - or obviate - the need to visually “see” (or, “eyeball”) the fluid level in the cells?

Having just one battery top offs aren’t the issue for me - having to wrestle the danged 70lb behemoth out from under the tramsom, to be able to actually eyeball the cells is …

thanks again and in advance
Click to expand...
Yes it does. The replacement cell caps have floats that shut the water from going in once they are at the right level. They are interconnected so only the cells that need water get filled. Its really a great system. After its set up, you just stick the pump tube into a bottle of distilled water and pump till the tube is full. Then plug the tube into the watering system (there is a locking connection) and pump till the bulb is firm (like an outboard gas tank). Done. Its that easy. I dont even open the battery box top.
 
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Arminius said:
A $150 lithium battery emergency car starter plugged into your boat's USB outlet would make for always available emergency starting. I got a new Grand Cherokee in '20 and noticed it was turning its lights on and off and fine tuning the air suspension while it sat in the garage. Turns out many new cars fail to maintain a starting charge beyond a month. This little emergency battery works great and the USB keeps it topped off. I throw it in the boat when there are issues. No reason it could not be boat gear. I'll check for model # and edit as I have used a particular model with success. Also, I hate to turn down a stranger who needs a jump but now they don't need to go under my hood.
https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GB50-Ul...ocphy=9033333&hvtargid=pla-670612981155&psc=1
Click to expand...
I’ve had a NOCO GB150 for quite a few years now and it’s served me well. Recently I picked up a new new lithium jump box so I could leave the NOCO in the boat. Based on a friends recommendation and a good review by Project Farm on YouTube I bought a GOOLOO 4000 and so far I would definitely recommend it over the NOCO. It’s also less than half the price with similar output and around half the size of the NOCO. The GOOLOO’s cables disconnect allowing it to double as a high capacity usb power brick. It also included a case, something I had to purchase separately for my NOCO.

GOOLOO 4000A Peak SuperSafe Car Jump Starter (All Gas, up to 10.0L Diesel Engine) 12V Auto Battery Jumper Booster with USB Quick Charge and Type C Port, Portable Power Pack for Trucks, SUVs, Orange https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084YQSVZ...abc_WKS6Q0X5JXFA26Q9Q8NY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
 
This thread just keeps getting better and betterer!

- I’ve gone from feeling guilty to “git r dun” to giddy with new technology!

(STILL a thinking about any in Tropical Storm Henry’s track or wake … hope all made it through without any damage or loss or injury)
 
PSA: double check me but!

AT 0500hrs 8-24-2021, it appears there is a $30 off coupon available for the GOOLOO 4000A Peak SuperSafe Car Jump Starter JohnyAlpha linked 2 posts up thread ^

($45 off for Prime members)
 
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Is my sole battery still a reliable starter? The big 1st Interstate deep cycle is about 2.5 yrs old and never failed. Last checked after charging at 12.7 volts. Blue Seas low voltage alarm blares at 12.1 volts. Working on the lights recently and the alarm came on pretty quickly. Is this part of the life cycle of a typical battery or is it pathological? I use a float charger which is not supposed to overcharge but still I worry about routinely leaving the charger plugged in. Think I will change the anchor light to LED and lower alarm voltage to 11.8 anyway.
 
Arminius said:
Is my sole battery still a reliable starter? The big 1st Interstate deep cycle is about 2.5 yrs old and never failed. Last checked after charging at 12.7 volts. Blue Seas low voltage alarm blares at 12.1 volts. Working on the lights recently and the alarm came on pretty quickly. Is this part of the life cycle of a typical battery or is it pathological? I use a float charger which is not supposed to overcharge but still I worry about routinely leaving the charger plugged in. Think I will change the anchor light to LED and lower alarm voltage to 11.8 anyway.
Click to expand...
How long do batteries last? It depends.

I have a classic car that was a daily driver for 10 years, and then got retired. I replaced the battery last year, just because, even though it was in fine shape. Buttttttt, it was a 24 year old DieHard. The shortest life I ever had was 1 year. It was also a DieHard but was defective.

My 3 year old car had a nearly dead battery last week. The dealer tested it and replaced it under warranty. That was the first Motorcraft battery I ever had.

My regimen for boats and seasonal items is to charge monthly on the off season. I chart the monthly voltage drop. If they fall below 12.4 volts I look a little closer. If they go below 12.1 in a month I replace them. Works for me every time.

I never had the need for an emergency car starter because in 55 years of owning boats and cars I never got stranded. I have one just to be prepared, but I've never used it.

In my experience 11. 8 volts may barely start a car, or maybe not at all. 12.1 is a more realistic warning level.
 
Thank you for your experience with voltage drop. 12.1 is the default chosen by Blue Seas and they are expert. Back when I installed the warning, I researched the matter and found the solar power people had the data. 12.1 volts drawdown maximizes the number of cycles the battery is good for. There could be another explanation for my early warning. Nonetheless, I'll reset to 11.8 in that I don't plan on a lot of cycles and the warning could be annoying if we are out stargazing. The anchor is LED already. PS, my experience with car batteries was that they lasted as long as their guarantee. That being said, when I get uneasy maybe I should just replace this deep cycle battery with a 6 yr car battery-wouldn't have the extra terminals though.
 
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I usually get 8 years out of a car battery. In the good old days DieHard was the best IMHO, but not any more. Now I switched to Auto Zone. I currently have one that's 10 years old and still shows no signs of aging.

A car battery won't last 2 years in a boat. The deep cycle technology is more than just power.

The 12.1 volt drawdown frequency vs. battery life is for a deep cycle. That's roughly a 50% discharge. They are designed to go that far. 11.8 volts amounts to only 20% left. It won't let you do that more than a couple of times.
 
The authorities are definitely on your side. I like the extra terminals and would not lie about my usage in a warranty claim. Still, it seems odd that car batteries generally last longer than boat batteries. I think it may have more to do with how boat batteries are abused by intermittent disuse than their internal construction. Engineering fictions tend to be amplified by marketing, commentators and us. I'll get another "marine" battery when it is time and wish the old reliable Sears batteries were still available.
 
I am curious what voltage alarm you have, I would like to get one, just looking for something simple that lets me know at 12.1 volts

Arminius said:
Is my sole battery still a reliable starter? The big 1st Interstate deep cycle is about 2.5 yrs old and never failed. Last checked after charging at 12.7 volts. Blue Seas low voltage alarm blares at 12.1 volts. Working on the lights recently and the alarm came on pretty quickly. Is this part of the life cycle of a typical battery or is it pathological? I use a float charger which is not supposed to overcharge but still I worry about routinely leaving the charger plugged in. Think I will change the anchor light to LED and lower alarm voltage to 11.8 anyway.
Click to expand...
 
The alarm was an unexpected bonus of the Blue Seas-m-LVD low voltage cut off switch. I had forgotten that my old thermoelectric cooler cuts off at 11 volts and it will start although I was apprehensive. I also see that it took 9 hrs for the new battery to get down to 12.1 volts. Guess it is getting old or maybe being nearly dry has given it PTSD. One hard to visualize cell was questionable. Keeping plates submerged is the theme of this thread!
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/low-voltage-disconnect.96463/#post-1108062
 
My plates may have been damaged in the 1.5 years I did not check. No starting problems but I think I will try to desulphate in the off season. Failing that, I will replace. The Blue Seas low voltage cut-off gave me 9 hrs of radio before cut-off when new but now I get 1/2 with disconnect at default 12.1 volts. Dash is showing 12 volts with engine off and I read I should have 12.7.
 
Batteries get sulfated because they are left dormant too long and not fully charged. Not related to water level. A quality smart charger will notify you if it is sulfated and take appropriate action.

If you use your boat say weekly, and charge the battery monthly in the of season, it should not need to be desulfated. Some people swear by trickle charging all Winter, but most likely that will consume water. I get 8-10 years out of a battery and I almost never have to add water. YMMV.
 
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