When you own a boat that uses any marine batteries for its operation, there are some things you need to know about battery maintenance. A marine battery that is not maintained correctly may lose charge sooner than it should and could result in a boat that will not start and is stranded out on the water waiting for a tow back to the dock.

Keeping Things Clean

Marine batteries designed to be used for starting the engine in your boat are often connected to the engine, much like a car battery. While the boat may have an alternator or generator on the engine to charge it, some maintenance items are still critical to keeping the battery working. 

Marine batteries are designed to operate in harsh environments. Still, the moisture in the air can contribute to corrosion, and it is crucial to clean the battery terminals occasionally to ensure the connection from your boat batteries to the starter motor and alternator are good. 

Cleaning the terminals is very easy. Take the connections off the battery and clean them with a wire brush or battery terminal brush to remove corrosion. You can also use a mixture of baking soda and water to help remove corrosion and neutralize any acid on the connections.

Once the connections are clear, applying a small amount of dielectric grease to the terminals will help prevent any corrosion or water from getting between the terminals and the cables. The grease is available from any auto parts store and is very inexpensive. 

Battery Charging 

If your boat will be out of the water or sitting at the dock for a while, you may need to consider putting your marine batteries on a charger to maintain them. Trickle charges are commonly used on boat batteries to charge the battery and maintain it over time slowly. 

The charger will sense the charge in the battery and only charge it if the charge falls below a preset limit. As soon as the battery is fully charged, the charger shuts off so it does not overcharge the battery and cause the acid to boil and evaporate. You can use these trickle chargers on starter batteries and deep cycle batteries used for trolling motors or other accessories on your boat. 

Most marine battery supply stores or boat stores have chargers available that are designed for the marine environment and can help you select the right one for your situation. If you are storing your boat for the winter, you can remove the battery and use the charger to maintain the battery through the winter so it is ready to go in the spring.

Contact a local marine battery supply store to learn more.