battery power

[Matt85cs]

Ok here is another question, im sure all boats are not set up like this but mine is and i hate it. my boat is constantly powered even if the key is not in it, i can raise and lower the out drive, and use all other accessories. why would they design them that way? and is there a way to do something about it short of unhooking a battery terminal?.

 

[Stachi]

Re: battery power

why is this a problem to you ? As long as nothing is left on , there is no drain on the battery.If you are mooring your boat you sure would want the bilge pump to work off of the float switch if it needed to ....

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: battery power

Lot's of things need to have power available without the key: automatic bilge pumps, bilge blowers (run BEFORE you start the engine), anchor light(s), engine trim, etc.

If you don't agree, then there are lots of battery isolator switches available that will do what you want!

Happy boating!

 

[Matt85cs]

Re: battery power

it wouldn't be a problem except it does seem to be draining the battery i think. either that or the battery i have is junk, in which case i already have a brand new battery for back up. what happened was i got my boat out for the season and come to find out the marina i stored it at didn't unhook the battery after winterizing so i got it back with a nearly dead battery and now it seems to not hold a charge very well, so i guess i should just swap it out for the new one lol..

 

[seabob4]

Re: battery power

Ok here is another question, im sure all boats are not set up like this but mine is and i hate it. my boat is constantly powered even if the key is not in it, i can raise and lower the out drive, and use all other accessories. why would they design them that way? and is there a way to do something about it short of unhooking a battery terminal?.

This is a standard setup on boats. A "Battery Switch" is an option. By installing a battery switch, you terminate the bilge pump float switch and the stereo memory (the ONLY things that need to be constant hot)to the batt terminal on the back side of the switch, the remaining functions, including engine trim, blowers, etc., are terminated to the "common" or switched terminal.

95% of the boats built are exactly the way yours is wired. Only when a battery switch is added do you get the results you want...

 

[Matt85cs]

Re: battery power

so i guess the only thing needed to know is do you think it is just a junk battery?

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: battery power

Take it to your local auto parts store for a load test. They do it for free and it should answer your question.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: battery power

so i guess the only thing needed to know is do you think it is just a junk battery?

If it was allowed to discharge below about 60% (and all batteries lose charge while sitting), then it may very well be trashed. A deep-cycle battery can handle this better, but these are rarely used for a starting battery.

Have a local shop that you trust do a battery (load) test on your battery...or do what I would do, and put in a new one. The peace of mind will be worth it!

Happy boating!

 

[Stachi]

Re: battery power

You never know with batteries....I am restoring my boat at present , brought home a battery that was old that I replaced for a customer at my shop... I left it connected all winter,I have yet to need to even recharge it since I put it on the boat last June... I have only run the engine a few times with it (on the muffs).I must have gotten the rare GOOD battery!Used and free too ! ...lol
My customer just thought it looked too old to be dependable......lol
Your battery, however , may be shot.the only thing that needs constant power and will draw current is your radio. You can always wire in a total power off switch for it if you want to,but you will lose its memory.
Some people use a solar battery charger, it should be enough to cover the drain of a radio memory...

 

[rosser1]

Re: battery power

youcan wire a main switch that will kill every thing in your boat, by turn off all battery power. and then you still will a drained battery. every battery i have every seen will drain its self after setting a while, and some will drain faster depending on age and conditions of envoirment in which its in.