Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Got all excited this week. Winter cover off (check), boat clean (check), fuelled (check), battery reinstalled (check), all equipment put away (check), on the launch and ready to go (check). Engine turn over when you start the key ( ). Crap. Pull it out. Check fuses, (check). Try emergency jump starter to start engine (check).

Never did get it off the trailer, but at least I'm pretty certain all we need to do is replace the battery.

I'll get there yet!

Ouch. So you didn't swap it and go for a run?

Please do not jump start your boat(s) when going out for the day. It's only asking to get stranded out on the lake. Find out why it's dead. (bad battery, faulty charging system, loose/corroded connections, etc.

Test, charge and check it, install a new battery, borrow a good battery, anything other than just jump and go.

Getting a jump or using a jump-pack is OK to get back to the dock/ramp, but not when first starting out or to extend your boating day.

BoatCop wrote:Please do not jump start your boat(s) when going out for the day. It's only asking to get stranded out on the lake. Find out why it's dead. (bad battery, faulty charging system, loose/corroded connections, etc.

Test, charge and check it, install a new battery, borrow a good battery, anything other than just jump and go.

Getting a jump or using a jump-pack is OK to get back to the dock/ramp, but not when first starting out or to extend your boating day.

Been there, now after an extended set I always start on a muff to be sure all is well

Before buying a new battery, put a trickle charge for 24 hrs on your existing. Sometimes a quick charge will not do the job.

lakerunner696 wrote:

BoatCop wrote:Please do not jump start your boat(s) when going out for the day. It's only asking to get stranded out on the lake. Find out why it's dead. (bad battery, faulty charging system, loose/corroded connections, etc.

Test, charge and check it, install a new battery, borrow a good battery, anything other than just jump and go.

Getting a jump or using a jump-pack is OK to get back to the dock/ramp, but not when first starting out or to extend your boating day.

Been there, now after an extended set I always start on a muff to be sure all is well

+1

On my first Manitou I had to disconnect the battery cables to prevent the battery from draining during the winter storage. The radio's clock and station preset memory, drew about 8 milliamps per hour and would drain it. I put a shut off switch on it and cured it. The Premier had the same thing, but it was wired AROUND the battery switch, so I wired it up to the switch, and eliminated it. Makes me think I should go check the new Manitou and see how its wired. It has a complete automatic switching system in it, so it may be ok.
However, even though I kill all the power, I always have a maintainer on the batteries when it sits.
I installed the Premiers batteries in 2012 and they hold a charge like they are still new. Well, did until I sold it a few weeks ago...

I see you are in the moderate danger zone for the Canadian fires, are you ok?

lakerunner696 wrote:
Been there, now after an extended set I always start on a muff to be sure all is well

Yep. I ALWAYS start @ home first. Closest water to me is 1 hour away. I want to make sure it starts when I get there.

Better safe than sorry !

Bryden24shp wrote:On my first Manitou I had to disconnect the battery cables to prevent the battery from draining during the winter storage. The radio's clock and station preset memory, drew about 8 milliamps per hour and would drain it. I put a shut off switch on it and cured it. The Premier had the same thing, but it was wired AROUND the battery switch, so I wired it up to the switch, and eliminated it. Makes me think I should go check the new Manitou and see how its wired. It has a complete automatic switching system in it, so it may be ok.
However, even though I kill all the power, I always have a maintainer on the batteries when it sits.
I installed the Premiers batteries in 2012 and they hold a charge like they are still new. Well, did until I sold it a few weeks ago...

I see you are in the moderate danger zone for the Canadian fires, are you ok?

Thanks for asking. It's dry and there's a fire ban, but locally we're safe so far. A few fires within an hour or two's drive but the winds have been merciful to date.

I suspect there was a maintenance issue on the battery. Share the boat with my Dad and he put the battery on a trickle charger for the winter but forgot to check the water levels first. It was pretty dry this spring and we put 3 litres of water in. Suspect we just let it get too low to recover well.

BoatCop wrote:Please do not jump start your boat(s) when going out for the day. It's only asking to get stranded out on the lake. Find out why it's dead. (bad battery, faulty charging system, loose/corroded connections, etc.

Test, charge and check it, install a new battery, borrow a good battery, anything other than just jump and go.

Getting a jump or using a jump-pack is OK to get back to the dock/ramp, but not when first starting out or to extend your boating day.

Thanks. Never even took it off the trailer. Just jump started it at the launch to make sure it was indeed the battery and not something more sinister. Getting new battery this week. The good news is that the new tach we put on last fall seems to be working!

jediger wrote:It was pretty dry this spring and we put 3 litres of water in.

Ahah!! I think I discovered your problem. I'll bet your battery was made in the US. Never put litres of water in those. Only quarts.