Battery Issues on 96' SeaDoo GTX

[ramelton35]

I have a 1996 SeaDoo GTX and it seems like every year I am replacing the battery. During the season, even after buying a new battery, the warning "12V Low" will flash. I had it in the shop, and the mechanic mentioned replacing a solenoid, after I mentioned the issue, but then he told me if it was his ski, he wouldn't worry about it. Is this causing the battery issues? Has anyone else heard of this, or is experiencing the same battery issues?

My other ski is a 2002 GTX limited, but it is a 4-stroke, and I have never replaced the battery in 7 years since I bought it.

Thanks!

 

[Tregs]

Re: Battery Issues on 96' SeaDoo GTX

I have a 97 GTX that eats a battery every year. I don't disconnect the battery between rides so I'm thinking that might be part of the reason. I bought a battery disconnect, hoping that will make it easier to disconnect between rides. I'm thinking about getting a solar trickle charger for it as well. The annual $70 battery is getting old.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Battery Issues on 96' SeaDoo GTX

I put a quick disconnect on my 96'. Works like a champ. The computer will drain the battery if left on too long without charging. Remember, never charge your battery with the + cable connected. That's what made the most sense to me. Keep the battery cables on, tight, and protected from corrosion and use the quick disconnect switch for saving the battery and easy charging.

 

[Tregs]

Re: Battery Issues on 96' SeaDoo GTX

Fireman,
Where did you mount the quick disconnect switch?

You mentioned to not charge the battery with the positive terminal connected. Does this mean I can't keep a solar charger on it?
I guess if mount the disconnect switch on the positive termimal rather than the negative, it will allow me to use a solar charger all the time. Correct?

Thanks.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Battery Issues on 96' SeaDoo GTX

I used a standard cutoff switch from an auto parts store. They are water proof and it's basically an on/off. It's hooked to the 12v+ cable and simply disconnects the 12v+ lead. A solar charger is basically useless on a ski. For it to create enough milliamps to charge a low battery, the panel would have to almost the same size as the ski itself.

Get the switch, install it (I mounted mine inside, with the keyway on the outside of the hull, and the toggle key on a wire lead so I couldn't lose it). Then just flip the switch to off and charge the ski with a standard trickle charger the day before you go out.

 

[Tregs]

Re: Battery Issues on 96' SeaDoo GTX

I finally found some time to mount the battery disconnect today and am hoping it extend the life of my battery for a year or two.
I found a good place to mount it under the rear seat on a flat spot next to the battery
Thanks for the tips.