how to install a marine battery

How to Install A Marine Battery Properly In 5 Easy Steps

Alright! So, you have bought the battery, and now you are ready to install it. But how to Install a marine battery Properly? First and foremost, you have to remember that, while most batteries have strong security measures, they are still dangerous if you make mistakes installing it. So, make sure you have safety measures, and check the connections to confirm they are in place.

Once you check the connections, you can get to work. You are going to need two wrenches: 1 ½ inch and 9/16 inch. These tools will help you remove the existing connections and install the new ones. The new battery terminals are also going to need grease.

How to Install a Marine Battery (New)

  • If you want to replace an old one you have to remove it first, obviously. Turn its switch off and disconnect the cables with the wrenches.
  • Once that one’s out of the way, get the new battery and check again if the cables align with the terminals. Place the battery inside the box and secure it.
  • Apply grease on the terminals. By doing this, the connections will be stronger and reliable.
  • Connect the cables. First, the positive terminal, and then the negative one. Once the connection is in place, make sure other cables don’t get stuck on the box’s lid.
  • Use the wrenches to make the cable connections on the terminals. It is important not to tighten the cables too much. Use it until you know it will be unlikely to come off.
  • After you’re done, restore the battery box’s lid.

Testing The New Battery

For testing, you have to turn on the battery switch or switch to the right battery number if there is more than one battery in place. To check if it is functional, you can turn on any of the boat’s devices that rely on the battery’s power, like the lights or the GPS system.

You can also attempt to start the outboard/inboard motor to check if there are any issues. If there turns out to be an issue with this, it could mean that the connections are in their proper place.

Disposing The Old Battery

But hey! The job is not over. You still have an old worn down battery you don’t know what to do with it. These batteries normally have high hazard chemicals and gases, making its disposal a task that requires precaution. Tossing it is a bad idea, as it could contaminate the environment in the long run. And it could also damage your health! Instead, you can always recycle it.

There are many recycling facilities over the country that can take items like batteries and give the materials a new purpose. If you still want to get rid of it, call the manufacturer to inform you what measures you should take before its disposal. They will provide information that could prevent you from having any unpleasant accident while disposing of the old battery.

Why Do Marine Batteries Fail?

Although many batteries may appear similar, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have interchangeable use. The manufacturers make sure their battery has multiple applications to meet the customer’s expectations.

Using a battery for general purposes will surely damage its lifespan regardless of what the manufacturers say. It’s important that you know what your battery is capable of doing, what purposes can reach and what its limitations are.
It only takes a quick read, and it could mean longer battery durability.

If you pick a marine battery, make sure to set up a new boating system with a battery that best suits what the boat requires.

Improper Installation

Even the smallest mistake during the battery’s installation can become a huge problem with major consequences like acid leaks, fire, and explosions in the worst case scenario.

Before you install it, be certain that you have all the necessary tools and knowledge to do it properly. The battery will have better efficiency, last longer and provide an optimum performance for you.

Non-Suitable Storage

Storing batteries that don’t receive proper maintenance can generate corrosion. If you store the battery when it does not have proper charge, it can cause issues in future recharging.

Another important factor is the temperature. If you happen to live in cold temperatures, you should always store it indoors to avoid external factors that could damage the battery’s durability and efficiency.

Also Read: Best Deep Cycle Battery

Overheating And Extreme Temperatures

Marine batteries have a specific design to withstand strong conditions. However, they are more susceptible to temperature fluctuations that many people think.

If the temperature is extremely hot, the batteries often expand and expel energy at a higher rate. The high temperatures can result in electrolyte loss and discharge problems.

Cold temperatures, on the other hand, force it to work harder to generate energy, resulting in a lower discharge rate.
Whether it is cold or hot temperatures, the battery suffers from them both. It loses time of its lifespan and the charging process can lose efficiency.

Improper Charging

While it is true that most batteries require approximately the same amount of time to recharge, the truth is that every model has a specific recharging schedule and maintenance. One of the aspects in which people commonly make mistakes is during the recharging process.

Using high voltage for a quick charging process is not a reliable thing to do. The only result that comes out of doing this practice is that the battery could decrease its service life. High voltages are also responsible for corrosion and faster discharge rates. Learn the characteristics of your battery and don’t try to put it through more voltages than what it needs.

It only takes a few hours for the battery to charge. Rushing it will only result in a shorter lifespan and lower functionality when you put it to use. In general, there are plenty of reasons why maritime batteries fail. To avoid any of these issues from happening to you, you should stick to the guidelines the manufacturer provides

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