Time for a new battery???

[Kens 85 Larson]

I knew the battery was weak in my 85 Larson because I left the vent fan on. DUH! I charged it up for 20 minutes and the boat started and it ran great for an hour. I turned it off. Battery was very dead. Why would battery not charge? Enough electricity was generated to run the engine. Battery gauge (volt meter?) never got out of the red zone while driving around. Stayed at 10 volts.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Time for a new battery???

Before you start replacing anything, pull your battery and take it an auto parts store and they will check it for free. If the battery is good then the charging system troubleshooting can begin. Also what do you have for power? Helps to know.

 

[Rick.]

Re: Time for a new battery???

I'm not aware of any boat battery/charger combination that will charge properly in 20 minutes. If your going to have it tested charge it for 24 hours to be certain. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Time for a new battery???

Leaving a battery discharged is worst thing you can do to a battery. 10.5 volts would mean you have a dead cell.

Anyway the first step is to put an automatic or smart charger on it. With a 10 amp charger should fully charge in 24 hours. Then you can test it or take to a store and have it tested.

What motor or charging system do you have on the Boat?