| With hunting seasons under way and
warm breezes giving way to chilly winds, boat-owners are
facing the task of adding stabilizer to the fuel tanks,
fogging the engine and tying down the tarp or boat cover.
But according to DieHard Marine batteries
spokesman Bill Aucoin, many boaters are not aware that
winterizing also includes taking care of their boat's
battery. Failure to do so usually means a spring trip to the
boat dealer or automotive supply to replace a battery that
no longer holds its charge.
To help boaters get the longest, service
from their marine cranking and deep cycle batteries, Aucoin
provided step-by-step recommendations for winterizing the
heart of a boat's electrical system.
"First off, wear old clothes because
you'll be working close to battery acid, which can burn a
hole in clothing," he said. "Protect your eyes.
And, for safety's sake, mix a solution of baking soda and
water [50-50] and keep it nearby so you can use it to
neutralize any acid spills."
To winterize your boat's battery, follow these simple steps:
- Disconnect your marine batteries and
remove them from the boat and from the elements.
- Inspect the cables and connectors.
Repair or replace them now, if necessary, not in the
spring when the fish are biting.
- Clean and brush the cable connectors
with a wire brush, removing the crusty corrosion
buildup. Coat the connectors with white grease to help
maintain good contact between the connectors and
batteries.
- Wire brush the battery posts to remove
the white, crusty material. Coat the terminals with
white grease or petroleum jelly to help ward off the
effects of corrosion.
- With a disposable rag, wipe the crud,
dirt and grit from the battery cases.
- Dip another rag into a neutralizing
solution of baking soda and water, half-and-half. Wring
out the excess fluid and wipe down the battery cases.
- Check the battery acid levels. Add
distilled water or de-ionized water, as required, to
bring electrolyte levels to within one-eighth of an inch
of the bottom of the vent well, or one-fourth of an inch
from the bottom if the battery is discharged. Don't
overfill, or sulfuric acid can escape out of the vents.
Don't use tap water or well water, which may contain
chlorine, iron or salts that will harm the battery.
- Recharge your batteries. Wear goggles
and old clothes. Do not overcharge. Excessive
overcharging causes electrolyte loss and the interior
plates to shed their active material, reducing capacity.
Never charge a frozen battery. Always charge in a
well-ventilated area.
- Cold-weather charging requirements make
a strong recommendation for the use of a
"smart" battery charger equipped with a
microprocessor capable of recharging each battery
according to its own particular needs.
- Store batteries in a cool, dry and
well-ventilated place, far away from the furnace. Make
sure they are out of reach from kids and pets. A
temperature of about 50 degrees is ideal. Your garage is
fine for storage as long as the temperature inside
doesn't dip below freezing. A frozen battery is a dead
battery. Never try to charge a frozen battery.
- While your batteries are stored, they'll
slowly lose their charge. Check them monthly. Restore
water levels, then bring the batteries up to a full
charge if needed.
A charged battery lasts longer than a battery in a
discharged state. Maintenance-free gel cell batteries
follow the same winterizing routine except you cannot
add more electrolyte. Do not overcharge a gel cell
battery or charge it too quickly. If you do, the gel in
the battery can heat up, dry out and pull away from the
lead plates.
WILMINGTON NEWS JOURNAL 11/4/2000
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