Inside Edge

Safety, Service, & Storage: Battery Principles

Safety

The most important aspect of marine battery use is to be safe. Although newer marine batteries have many features to improve safety, all batteries still rely on a chemical reaction between two dissimilar metals to store power. This reaction can be dangerous if the battery is used improperly. Always be sure to follow all of the precautionary warnings included with your battery such as: batteries produce explosive gases. Keep sparks, flames and cigarettes away from batteries at all times. Batteries can explode. Protect your eyes at all times. Always wear safety glasses when working on or near batteries.

It is also essential to follow all the instructions and take proper safety precautions when testing a marine battery. Whether you are taking a load test, open circuit voltage test or reading the specific gravity of the electrolyte, make sure to adhere to all the safety or operational instructions that were included with that particular tester.

One of the biggest safety hazards associated with any battery use is improper charging. Not only can it be dangerous, but it can significantly shorten battery life if done incorrectly. The following is important instructional information for marine battery charging:
•    Batteries should be charged if the hydrometer reading is below 1.225 Specific Gravity or 12.4 open, circuit volts, or the load test is below 9.6 volts (This is for flooded electrolyte batteries only; see gel and AGM charging below).
•    Always follow the charging instructions that came with the charger.
•    Unplug the charger before connecting or disconnecting a battery.
•    Do not leave a battery on charge for more than 48 hours (flooded electrolyte batteries only).
•    Stop the charge when two hydrometer or voltage readings recorded two hours apart indicate no increase.
•    Never attempt to charge a frozen battery. Allow it to warm to 60°F before charging.
 
Gel and AGM charging

Overcharging is especially harmful to gel or AGM batteries due to their sealed design. Overcharging dries out the electrolyte by driving the oxygen and hydrogen out of the battery through the pressure release valves. Performance and life are reduced.

If a battery is continually undercharged, a power-robbing layer of sulfate will build up on the positive plate, which acts as a barrier to recharging. Premature plate shedding can also occur. Performance is reduced and life is shortened. A good constant potential, temperature-compensated, voltage-regulated charger should be used for gel and AGM batteries. The charger must be temperature-compensated to prevent over or under charging due to ambient temperature changes. Constant current chargers should never be used on these types of batteries.


Service

Periodic service of your marine battery and boat’s electrical system is a great way to make sure your battery and boat are delivering optimal performance. Routine service can be as simple as visually inspecting for defective or cracked case and cover, or loose or damaged terminal posts or cables. If damage is found, the battery or cables should be replaced. Also look for loose connections or hold-downs and tighten snugly if appropriate. Make sure not to over-tighten so that the battery is not damaged.
To preserve battery life, it is important to keep the battery compartment clean and corrosion free. Clean corrosion with a paste make from baking soda and water.
A wire brush or steel wool will help shine posts and terminal ends to clean corrosion and assure a low resistance connection. If reconnecting battery and cables, try coating terminal parts with petroleum jelly or a terminal protection spray. Repaint or replace hold-down, tray and surrounding parts if necessary.

Storage

Batteries that are not in use during the off-season can be severely discharged if improperly stored. Certain battery designs like an AGM or gel electrolyte technology can be stored longer with no permanent effects due to a very low self-discharge rate and a deeper discharge capacity.  Other types, like flooded electrolyte batteries, may be more apt to loose a charge at a higher rate and need more maintenance when storing. All types of batteries must be cared for as follows to extend battery life and reliability:

•    Disconnect the battery to avoid self-discharge.
•    Put into storage fully charged and keep them above 75 percent state-of-charge. Check state-of-charge every 90 days and recharge if necessary.
•    Ideally, store batteries in a cool, dry place with temperatures not below 32°F or above 80°F.

As boat owners take the time carefully follow the proper procedures for safety, service, and storage, they will enjoy more trouble-free time out on the water. Skipping these simple yet critical procedures can lead to hazardous conditions, unexpected boat failure, and poor performance.  Trusting dependable products like Super Start marine batteries is another great way to enjoy all your boat has to offer. Super Start marine batteries have the quality and performance to help ensure that your boat is not sitting in the docks when it should be out on the water.