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Houseboat Marine Batteries,

A battery problem can and will ruin your day.  I can't speak for your houseboat but ours has 15 of them.   It's not like your going to get out and walk when the worst happens. 

I feel all batteries on your houseboat should be on a reg. Monthly service schedule no different than replacing A/C filters.  At the end of this article I will explain the possibilities available to you so you wont have to go through all this that follows.

First let me start by saying that a good quality portable jumper box be on board and ready for use at a moments notice. 

If you can't see purchasing a jump box at least have on board a good heavy duty set of jumper cables long enough to reach from one engine battery to the other. 

Make yourself aware of all the battery locations on your houseboat. i.e.; engine compartment, generator, electric thrusters, inverters, 12v lighting supplies etc. Once located make a list of them all.  Call it the Battery list

First make sure you have proper EYE SAFTY GOGGLES ON

Inspect each and every connection one battery at a time. If corrosion if  present remove ONE cable connection at a time making CERTAIN it doesn't come in to contact with anything else. Remember your houseboat is most likely aluminum and is a conductor!!!  Clean all terminals with a hand battery post cleaner and re-install.  Once all terminals are clean in this location you are ready to move on with your inspection and service. You can't check a dead battery it first must be charged. Having said that you need to un-plug you're on board battery charger or chargers and check battery voltage on each battery with a good multi meter (this can be used for multiple applications).  Each 12v battery should read approx. 12.5-13.5 volts. If one doesn't read in the 12v range it must be charged up before checking.  Carefully unscrew or pry off battery filler caps. ( if they are round they un-screw) (if they look like rectangles they pry off)  Once this is done take a flashlight (NOT A MATCH OR LIGHTER IT COULD EXPLODE) And look in each hole or cell. You are checking for water. There should be a noticeable ring or indention approx ½ inch down in the opening. If not full to that mark use a battery filler bottle and fill it with distilled water (not tap water).  Repeat this at every cell at every battery.  When finished, using a battery hydrometer insert it down in the opening and draw out fluid for a gravity reading to determine the battery's condition. (It's not complicated it's like a eye dropper)  most have balls or disc similar to an antifreeze checker. Read the scale and make condition notes. Empty and continue one cell at a time till finished. Make note if any one cell falls below the standard. If it does most likely the battery is bad. If all batteries check out okay all's well.  If not replace as necessary.  Don't forget to plug back in your chargers.  After doing that it's a good idea to take your meter and check output voltage of your chargers.  You simply do this by probing the red and black feed wires coming out of it. These two wires are going to you batteries.  They should read approx. 12.8 to 13.8 volts.  A little side note here is if they are not working check your GFI box where the charger is plugged in. There should be a red button and a black button.  They sometimes will trip and you will have no chargers. In most cases re-setting it will fix that problem.

Now for how I really feel about batteries.  There are batteries on the market that do not have fluid in them and never need checking. Don't be confused by so called maintenance free batteries. If they contain fluid they need service.  I'm referring to AGM Batteries.

(Absorbed glass matt) these batteries where first designed for military use and have incredible longevity. They contain no water and need no service.  In most cases one of these can replace two conventional batteries. Now we are getting somewhere!!  And with more cranking amps and reserve capacity.  They also can sit up to two years unattended and still be at full power.  A great side note benefit is the best one has brass terminals and will not corrode. There is one manufacture I'm really fond of.  They absolutely have the best in this battery technology.  They back  up some of these with a 4 year replacement warranty.  The normal service life of this battery is 10 to 12 years. I have them on our boat and operate worry free.  No, they are not an advertiser but if you ask I will write you back with their information.

As in all articles if I didn't cover what you needed please ask a question and I will reply back to you.