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Now that summer is here, people start to recommission their watercraft to take advantage of the warm weather. In recent years, they may have found that the number of fellow boaters is increasing, especially those who own motorboats. Some are forecasting that this growth will continue. A recent market research study indicated that the global leisure motorboat market was valued at $38.61 billion in 2022 and is estimated to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7% through 2030.
Leisure motorboats are those used for non-commercial, recreational activity. Motorboat owners should practice good stewardship while the boats are being used, and also when they are decommissioned and recommissioned. This often includes the inspection, cleaning and repairing of the boat, as well as its components, like the battery.
Marine Battery Care
Among the components that require attention is the marine battery. Following are recommissioning recommendations for marine batteries. Before inspection and cleaning, wear protective goggles and gloves, use insulated tools and disconnect the battery. Always refer to the owner’s manual to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for battery care and handling, and direct all questions to a battery professional.
Battery exterior (case): Check for damage, such as cracks, leaks and wear. It should also be free of dirt, acid residue and corrosion to avoid current leaks. Clean away grime with water, rinse and dry. Replace damaged cables and clamps, but if the case is damaged, replace the battery itself.
Terminals: Inspect for cracks and wear, which will also cause small current leaks if present on the terminals. Remove acid residue and corrosion with a battery terminal brush or emery cloth. As with the exterior case, if the terminals are damaged, replace the battery.
Cables and connectors: Replace frayed cables and secure loose connectors. Clean away corrosion from both, which can appear as a white powder or a blue-green growth. Corrosion and acid accumulation can be cleaned away with diluted ammonia or a paste of one part baking soda to three parts water. If they cannot be cleaned, replace them.
Once the inspection, cleaning and repair are completed, reconnect the battery and insulate the terminals with anti-corrosion spray, grease or petroleum jelly to prevent further corrosion.
Voltage Check: A digital voltmeter measures a battery’s Open Circuit Voltage (OCV), which is directly related to its State of Charge (SOC). For an accurate reading of the battery’s OCV, the engine or charger should be off for at least six hours to ensure that the chemical reactions in the battery have reached an equilibrium and the surface charge is gone. The battery manufacturer’s specifications will indicate what OCV corresponds to 100 percent SOC, as well as what charge is needed.
Charging: When charging a marine battery, the charge current must be high enough to provide a full charge. The charge voltage must be appropriate for the battery type to avoid overcharging, which can overheat and damage the battery. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper charging.
Replacement: The battery may not recharge if it was stored at only a Partial State of Charge (PSOC) or if it has exceeded its service life. If the battery needs replacement, follow these guidelines:
- Disconnect all cables from the battery and remove the battery to be recycled.
- Set the replacement battery in the holder and secure it.
- Connect the positive cable to the positive terminal and the negative cable to the negative terminal.
- Tighten fasteners to their appropriate battery torque specifications.
Marine Battery Replacement
If replacement is needed, consider a premium battery that delivers greater power, reliability and longevity than a conventional lead acid battery. A Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) battery, like the ODYSSEY® Marine Dual Purpose battery, features plates that are pure lead, and not an alloy. Pure lead eliminates the risks of galvanic corrosion, which occurs when dissimilar metals are submerged together in sulfuric acid, and greatly reduces on the sulfation subject, which is the accumulation of lead sulfate crystals on the plates that decreases surface area and interferes with the battery holding a charge. Pure lead plates can also be made thinner, so more fit into the same footprint as a comparably sized conventional lead acid battery to generate two to three times the cranking power. TPPL technology found in an ODYSSEY® Marine Dual Purpose battery also delivers deep cycling capability to support trolling motors and the growing number of hotel loads on today’s motorboats.
An ODYSSEY® Marine Dual Purpose battery also offers slower self-discharge and faster recharging than conventional lead acid batteries. A premium battery like the ODYSSEY® Marine Dual Purpose battery can help enhance the investment in a motorboat and provide ample and reliable power for leisure and fleet applications.
To follow the latest ODYSSEY® battery news, visit our website at www.odysseybattery.com or connect with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook by using the hashtag #MYODYSSEY.
ABOUT ENERSYS®
EnerSys, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, manufactures and distributes energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. Energy Systems, which combine enclosures, power conversion, power distribution and energy storage, are used in the telecommunication, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies and numerous applications. Motive power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles requiring stored energy solutions. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, large over-the-road trucks, premium automotive, medical and security systems applications. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world. With the NorthStar acquisition, EnerSys has solidified its position as the market leader for premium Thin Plate Pure Lead batteries, which are sold across all three lines of business. More information regarding EnerSys can be found at www.enersys.com.
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