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Everything You Need to Know About Marine Battery Management

February 4, 2023

Proper care and maintenance of your marine battery management system is essential to their performance and longevity. Learn how to safely store, charge, and monitor your marine batteries, so you get superior performance out on the water.

Keep Water Levels In Check

Marine batteries must always be checked regularly to ensure the water levels remain between safe levels. Make sure you top up the battery electrolyte fluid if it has evaporated and double check that all battery cells are topped off before charging. Checking your liquid levels is a simple but effective way to ensure optimal performance of your marine batteries.

Regularly Test Battery Voltage

It's also important to regularly check the voltage of your marine batteries. The accepted norm is that a fully charged battery should have a resting open cell voltage of 12.6 volts for flooded lead acid batteries and 13.2 volts for agm or gel type batteries. If the voltage readings are lower than that, you may need to charge your marine batteries. Invest in a quality multimeter if you don’t already have one, as this will help you measure the battery efficiency and determine when it needs topping up and charging again.

Properly Charge and Store Batteries

To properly store batteries, they should be charged at least every three months and disconnected from the boat during times of inactivity (i.e winterization). This will help prevent battery damage that can occur when left in a discharged state. For optimal battery maintenance, it is recommended to charge your marine batteries fully before storing them. Invest in a quality battery charger that automatically stops charging once the batteries are completely charged.

Monitor Terminals and Cables

Checking the terminals and cables connected to your boat battery is an essential step in marine battery care. Check for any signs of corrosion, discoloration, or damage on both the terminals and cables. If there is corrosion, use a brass-wire brush to remove it and make sure to wear protective gloves while doing so. Be sure to make every connection tight so that power can be properly transferred between components. Regular inspections of terminals and cords will help prevent over-current issues on your boat.

Upgrade Your Setup with Smart Technology

Smart technology is a great way to get the most out of your boat’s battery system. Your setup can be upgraded to provide better protection for your batteries and other components on board. Consider investing in a quality, smart charger that can monitor the battery’s voltage, temperature, and more in order to keep it running longer. This will help you avoid over-charging or discharging your battery which can damage its performance. Smart chargers can also extend the life of your batteries by preventing them from becoming weak or over-discharged.