Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I don't know much about the engine battery. About how often should I check it to make sure it has good charge? (I just charged the trolling motor battery and was reminded of the other battery on the boat.)

It depends on how long you go between outings. If you are out every week i would check the charge and the water levels every month. If you only go out occasionally well your batteries can loose charge over time, especially if they are old, and you need a onboard charger so you can plug in at home and let the charger monitor your batteries levels. I have two charging systems from my boat, both minn kota, one charges all three batteries when it is parked at the house. The other charges the trolling motor batteries off of the alternator through the cranking battery, that one i love when i am on long trips because i never have to worry about charging the trolling motor batteries.

You shouldn't need to charge the starting battery during the season UNLESS you have an older engine with a small 6-10amp charging circuit and run a lot of accessories off it, or have an automatic bilge pump. I run all my accessories off the trolling motor batteries, with a disconnect switch so I don't drain the starting battery, I also have the disconnect key and ignition key tethered together so I don't forget to turn it off when I leave.

landlocksailor.... you asked an interesting question.... I only have the one battery on my boat and I always wonder what in the world am I going to do if I'm 10 miles away from the launch fishing and my motor won't start....... and as we all know, even a relatively new battery will go bad without any kind of warning.... so tonight I bought a jump box to carry on my boat just in case... it's the JNC660. Hope I never need it but I kinda look at it like an insurance policy.... plus, it may come handy as far as the cars are concerned also....



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Roland I just bought a jump box recently also, I've had it a couple of months and it does give some peace of mind, I just have to remember to re-charge it every month.

ROLAND wrote:landlocksailor.... you asked an interesting question.... I only have the one battery on my boat and I always wonder what in the world am I going to do if I'm 10 miles away from the launch fishing and my motor won't start....... and as we all know, even a relatively new battery will go bad without any kind of warning.... so tonight I bought a jump box to carry on my boat just in case... it's the JNC660. Hope I never need it but I kinda look at it like an insurance policy.... plus, it may come handy as far as the cars are concerned also....



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Agree 100%. That is why I always have a jump pack around, especially on the boat. Just replaced my old one recently with the exact same one Roland has shown here.

ROLAND wrote:landlocksailor.... you asked an interesting question.... I only have the one battery on my boat and I always wonder what in the world am I going to do if I'm 10 miles away from the launch fishing and my motor won't start....... and as we all know, even a relatively new battery will go bad without any kind of warning.... so tonight I bought a jump box to carry on my boat just in case... it's the JNC660. Hope I never need it but I kinda look at it like an insurance policy.... plus, it may come handy as far as the cars are concerned also....



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"I gotta get me one of these!" Will Smith, "Independence Day"

Thanks all!!!

Because I run dual battery, with a Blue Sea Add-A-Battery dual battery charging system, I can always double my batteries up if the "Engine Start Only" battery bellies-up. That also means that if I run the anchor light and stereo all night without running the engine, it still won't kill the starting battery.

I thought I'd give the rope start a try on my Mariner 40 last weekend. Always fires right up on battery but I couldn't get it to fire on rope (yes I had the key on!). Now I'm more concerned about the battery than I was

Being a good Boy Scout ( be prepared) I actually installed the Blue Seas Dual Battery with 2 Sears AGM batteries ($500..ouch!) and carry the jump box as well....

So far I run XM radio all day in the cove and have yet to have to tap into the second battery.

steveiam wrote:Roland I just bought a jump box recently also, I've had it a couple of months and it does give some peace of mind, I just have to remember to re-charge it every month.

One feature to look for in a jump box is being able to be plugged into A/C charging 100% of the time without damage to the internal battery so you don't have to worry about re-charge. The one Roland bought has that feature. It's made by Clore Automotive, all their jump boxes are automatic chargers.

chill'nthemost wrote:

steveiam wrote:Roland I just bought a jump box recently also, I've had it a couple of months and it does give some peace of mind, I just have to remember to re-charge it every month.

One feature to look for in a jump box is being able to be plugged into A/C charging 100% of the time without damage to the internal battery so you don't have to worry about re-charge. The one Roland bought has that feature. It's made by Clore Automotive, all their jump boxes are automatic chargers.

First of all, I have got to say thank you to Chillin here about the jump box I bought... It's my understanding that he has alot of work experience with tools and the tool industry and I asked him for a recommendation, and the one I purchased was one of several that he recommended, so thanks Chillin... I certainly appreciate your help.....

for any of you thinking of buying one, I ordered mine on Amazon... they had the lowest price I could find... it was $129.50 with free shipping..... When I placed the order yesterday I got a message saying free shipping would normally take 8 to 10 business days... okay by me, i'm in no rush... but tonight I got an email from Amazon saying my order has already been shipped and should be here friday... just in time to charge her up to take out on the boat this sunday.... anyway, that price at amazon was cheaper than every other place I looked when you added in shipping.