Maintenance of Outboard Engine Battery

It is reported that there's a 90% chance an outboard that won't start has an issue related to fuel or the battery. Boat owners are becoming more aware of ways to prevent the trouble ethanol-blend gasoline can cause a marine engine, but it seems the battery is frequently neglected, perhaps because most of us never need to get under the hood of our very reliable road vehicles these days. We take the battery for granted, until that lack of vigilance ruins on the water. So find your outboard motor battery and give it some love.

Basic Outboard Battery Inspection

Get in the habit of periodically checking all batteries to make sure they remain secured. On most recreational Outboard engine, the battery with be placed on a tray and secured with a strap and buckle that goes through the tray and over the battery. Make sure that strap is nice and tight. You don’t want the battery bouncing around in the bilge, and excessive vibration can lead to premature battery failure. 

You’ll also want to check the security of the battery terminal connections, which can loosen in the rough-and-tumble, wake-bashing life. Just grip the red and black battery cables and wiggle them near the terminal. They should not budge. A loose cable could be the only reason your outboard engine won’t start, or can’t keep the battery charged. There may be a few other power leads clamped under the terminal bolts. 

Battery Maintenance

Most of us don't get to use our outboard engine every day. If your outboard engine has a battery switch, turn it off to disconnect the batteries from systems that could drain the battery over time–like a radio you accidentally left turned on. On-board battery chargers, a common feature on trailerable fishing boats, are a smart option or accessory to select for runabouts and other family boats that are idle for long periods, as long as there’s power handy where the boat is parked. A battery that’s allowed stay discharged will have a short life, and could be dead when you get back to the cottage. When you inspect the battery during the season, watch for corrosion that can collect around the terminals. 

Batteries and outboard engine go hand-in-hand, whether you rely on the cranking power needed to start your engine or a constant current from a deep-cycle to run your electronics. Proper outboard engine battery maintenance can ensure a long life and hassle-free partnering.

Having an adequate electrolyte level is one of the most important steps in battery maintenance, more so during periods of heavy use or in hot weather conditions. For most batteries, remove cell caps and visually inspect levels. Add distilled water when electrolyte is low. Careful not to overfill. This will cause a loss of electrolyte, leading to performance issues and a decrease in battery life.

Keep Batteries Charged

Recharge your deep-cycle batteries fully immediately after a day. Adhering to this will alleviate sulphation — when sulphur molecules coat the lead plates within the cells — and prolong the life of your battery. Part charges will hasten this process.