How To How To Open Engine Compartment With Dead Battery

[dhansen]

I have a 1999 Sea Ray 230 BR with the hydraulic engine compartment. Anyone know of an easy way to lift the engine compartment hatch if you have a dead battery? I haven't had this problem yet, but I want to be prepared as I boat in some remote locations!

 

[tdappleman]

One of the most common methods appears to be a battery jump box. You can either connect directly to the battery or some models give you a 12v accessory plug so you can plug directly to the boats 12v accessory plug.

Edit - this is the one I have: http://www.amazon.com/Jumpstart-990681-Jump-Carry-Starter/dp/B000JFJLP6/ref=pd_sim_auto_1

 

[dhansen]

Thanks...one with the 12V accessory plug is probably the way I need to go. I don't think there is an easy way at either battery when the compartment is closed. I boat quite a bit on the Missouri River Reservoirs in South Dakota, which are pretty remote, and I am preparing for some of the potential "events" that could happen with this boat!

 

[Nacho Boat]

Look carefully at your hatch. Mine has an access hatch in the storage area under the seat. The purpose of this hatch is to gain access to manually open the hatch if necessary.

Open this access hatch, reach down and remove the cotter pin to the ram that opens the hatch. Once the pin is out, you can raise the hatch with your "brute" strength.

 

[skibum]

In the event that you don't have an extra battery available when it happens, there should also be a manual way to open it. My 260 has a round deck plate that can be opened (unscrewed) near where the lift ram attaches. Once it is open I can reach under and pull the pin that secures the ram to the hatch and lift the hatch manually.
See if you have a similar setup. There has to be a way to do it without power.

Nevermind... Nick replied before I hit save...

 

[Groucho]

Look carefully at your hatch. Mine has an access hatch in the storage area under the seat. The purpose of this hatch is to gain access to manually open the hatch if necessary.

Open this access hatch, reach down and remove the cotter pin to the ram that opens the hatch. Once the pin is out, you can raise the hatch with your "brute" strength.

To be honest, I have not really looked at that angle!! Are you talking about under the "jump" seat on the port side? The dealer just gave me a little jumper cord to plug into the 12V outlet to raise the hatch, I then use the jumper pack to start the engine...(Had to do it a couple of times)

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

Look carefully at your hatch. Mine has an access hatch in the storage area under the seat. The purpose of this hatch is to gain access to manually open the hatch if necessary.

Open this access hatch, reach down and remove the cotter pin to the ram that opens the hatch. Once the pin is out, you can raise the hatch with your "brute" strength.[/quote]

Maybe not bad on a 230, but on a 300 it takes all you got to lift that puppy manually. Won't do that again and picked up a jump pack.

 

[dhansen]

Good suggestion on removing the pin. I know there is an access panel in there. I am picking up the boat next weekend from storage and will give that a try. You're right that I might be able to lift it on the 230, but on a 300 that might take at least two people to lift!

 

[Beer Hunter]

It is not uncommon for the cotter pin to fall out occasionally too. When this happens, you won't be able to use the automatic the hatch lift - and most people will think this is a battery problem - which in my case it was not. On the 260 Sundancer, take the rear seat cushion off and remove any stored items under the seat to reveal a round access "plug" near the drivers side edge of the underseat compartment. Open this and reach in to an area about 8 inches directly back towards the center of the boat and feel for the hydraulic arm and/or cotter pin. If you can't feel the arm, it means the pin fell out and the hydraulic arm has "dropped" down into the engine compartment. The good news in this case is that the problem wasn't the battery (as everyone instantly assumed including the mechanics at the dealer I called). I engaged the help of a friend and just lifted to hatch manually (it is a two person job) - to reveal a hydraulic arm laying down in the engine compartment and a missing cotter pin. After finding the cotter pin under the engine block, it was an easy fix to hold the arm in place while a friend used the Hatch Lift switch to maneuver the arm to the right level so I could just slide the pin back in. Now that I know about this I feel much better - and I hope this information is useful to someone else who finds themselves in a similar situation.

 

[magster65]

Mine has the removable cover too.
If you're lifting the hatch manually... make sure to get all yer' big friends to sit on the seat as you struggle to lift it. :lol: