Well it finally happened

[GregF]

Be sure you keep an eye on the water level in your battery. Nothing will fry one quicker than running out of water.

[kimbercarry]

Me too! 5 years, left a switch on and it could not recover. 1000 CCA battery was cheaper at the dealer than Walmart. Go figure.

[steveiam]

I've been keeping a Battery Tender on my Waverunner battery in the winter, and they work great. I just got tired of buying an expensive new battery every year or so, and maintained batteries last substantially longer.

My 2 stoke outboard has only had about 3 batteries in 26 years. 2 strokes take very little juice to turnover and start. Since I don't use a trolling motor, a car battery seems to last much longer and costs far less than a deep charge marine battery.

I never even thought about a car battery-I dont use a TM either-
I just assumed marine battery= boat.
Hmmmm-

[woolznaz]

I keep one of those 12 volt battery jump starters on the boat, just incase we wind up listening to the radio to long and it dont start. JT

Yep, thats exactly what we do, and in the winter it goes in the wifes Expedition, she has used it twice to help out co-workers.

X3. Even though we have 2 batteries on the boat, I keep one of those. For about $50, it is the best, cheapest insurance you can get. I also have used it many times on land. Fits under the seat. Lightweight. Inexpensive.

[GregF]

I have always used whatever car battery WalMart had on sale. I am not trying to start this thing in cold weather and the outboard has a lot lower cranking amps than a typical car.
A "marine" battery assumes you are pounding in a small boat so they have thicker plates and heavier construction. Pontoons have a smoother ride than some cars.

[Ray Jr.]

I keep one of those 12 volt battery jump starters on the boat, just incase we wind up listening to the radio to long and it dont start. JT

Yep, thats exactly what we do, and in the winter it goes in the wifes Expedition, she has used it twice to help out co-workers.

X3. Even though we have 2 batteries on the boat, I keep one of those. For about $50, it is the best, cheapest insurance you can get. I also have used it many times on land. Fits under the seat. Lightweight. Inexpensive.

Oh my god!!! some thing else we agree on

[woolznaz]

I know, Ray, it's like we've become the same person.

Give it time, we'll find something else to fight about!

[Ray Jr.]

I know, Ray, it's like we've become the same person.

Give it time, we'll find something else to fight about!

By the way I like yer choice of tow rig too, always been a Ford guy

[badmoonrising]

Get a room, you two

[rwtdct]

X2.....On the, I alway starter up before going to the lake.

I try to keep my battery charged in off season. If I dont I have that receipt with a 3 year warr. from WalMart and replace it.

I always carry an extra battery onboard.
I always carry a set of jumper cables.
I always carry a tow rope.

And most important: I always carry an ICE CHEST

[Texoma Toon]

If you get 4 years out of your starting battery you are doing good. I don't know about those AGM batteries but after 4 yrs it is prob time to replace it.

[ronb]

Maybe I am just stingy... but I run them until they are dead and only good for core charge.

Electronics are for the most part binary. Either they work, or they don't. As long as you have a suitable backup solution, which you should have even if you did a yearly battery replacement. You should be fine.

If by the grace of God, you do ever get a warning before catastrophy, then it is time to start planning the replacement, like on my pickup for example, if the check engine light comes on and the only code is 22 (GM ODB I), you know its the throttle position sensor and you should pick one up and replace it at your earliest convenience. At minimum buy the part and throw it in the glove box with a T35 torx...

Replacing parts that are not indicated that they have failed, nor have they any indication that they will imminently fail to me is a gross waste of money. My 18yr old pickup has had 3 batteries in its lifetime. The OEM lasted 10 years and the replacement just went bad last month after 8 years.
-ron

[GregF]

I had a knock sensor code on my Honda. I reset it and it never came back

[RobRoy]

There lil puppies work GREAT for extending the life of a battery.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... QgodmgQAmg

I also have a 1600ma solar charger for when AC isn't available.