Skip to main content

Boat Battery Cables and When to Change Them

boat battery cables

Electrical system maintenance is an especially important part of the upkeep of your boat. It can be difficult, however, to know exactly when it is time to replace one of the core components of the electrical system: boat battery cables. Above and beyond knowing when to replace them, it is important to make sure that you get replacements that suit the needs of your boat. This blog will help you know the right time to get new cables.

The first sign of an electrical issue with your boat is difficulty when starting the engine. If there are lulls when trying to turn over the engine, check the electrical system. While a troubled start doesn’t always indicate bad battery cables, it can certainly be the first clue. Next, you should test a few other properties of the cable to determine if they need to be replaced.

When opening the battery compartment, the most apparent warning that there is an issue with the battery cables is a smell. A strong smell of oxidation or melting rubber are both good signs that there is something wrong with the electrical system, specifically with the cables. Don’t ignore out of place odors when dealing with electrical systems. Next, carefully touch the insulation of each of the cables. If either one is notably hot, there is a good chance that a cable has begun to degrade and is heating up more than it should be. Insulation around the wire should not be hot after running the vehicle for a normal amount of time. You can also check the cables by gently flexing them and listening for a crackling noise. Crackling sounds indicates a degradation of the copper stranding within the cable.

If you’re still having issues, but none of these previous steps turn up any more clues, you might have to move on to more involved testing before replacing your boat battery cables. Using meters to test the voltage and resistance in your cables can be the definitive test if nothing else is clearing up the issue. Cross-reference your battery type with the manufacturers manual for your boat to make sure the output is where it should be. When checking the resistance of your boat’s battery cables, high resistance indicates damaged cables.

If any of these tests point towards a damaged cable, it’s time to replace your cables. It’s always advisable to replace all battery cables if any of them have been damaged, so that the cables keep the same level of usage and wear. There is little worse than replacing one cable only to have another cable burn out a few days later, especially when you are out on the water. For the same reason, make sure to replace your cables promptly if they have begun to wear. Do not wait for complete cable failure, which can be both dangerous and very inconvenient.

Need to replace your boat battery cables? Call us at 800.262.1598 or email us at sales@ewcswire.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Things To Look Out For When Looking For Welding Cable For Sale

Are looking for a welding cable for sale online? If you are, then you must be aware of what they are designed for—not for an undemanding profession, that’s for sure. Welding cable is designed for electric arc-welding machines, it is a conductor that carries the power to fire up the metal rod so that a welding professional can get the work done. However, for a welding cable to properly perform what’s it supposed to do, it should meet the right standards for it to be strong enough to perform its job. Why Must a Welding Cable be Durable? This job is not for the weak and that’s not limited to the professional himself but the cable as well. It’s important to know that you’re getting nothing but the most durable and flexible welding cable there is. There’s a current passing through those wires after all. The last thing you need is for your welding cable to overheat, impeding a speedy welding process. You also don’t want your welding cable to face detrimental effects from accidental cuts,
Post a Comment
Read more

Are Marine Electrical Wires The Same As Regular Cables?

  In the world of electronics, there is a huge overlap between the different uses of electrical components in various industries. The reason is that anything powered by electricity needs wiring, and they are made according to widely general principles. However, certain environments and uses can push electrical components to the limit, or prove to be extremely taxing for regular components made for all-around use. Components that go onboard an open sea vessel must be able to withstand extremely harsh and prolonged conditions. This includes tools, work equipment, and electronics. As a general rule, always be ready to lose anything you bring on board. The Key Aspects Of Marine Electrical Wire Some think that automotive wire is tough enough for marine use. In fact, automotive wire is specifically made to withstand extreme heat conditions, and be oil resistant. This might prompt many to assume that automotive and marine electrical wires can be used interchangeably. However, certain fea
1 comment
Read more

How to Select the Right Welding Cable for the Job

Before you go on a search to determine the best welding cable for the job, you may need to know exactly what it is. A welding cable works as the electrical conductor for the current produced from the welding through a series of copper strands wrapped inside a non-conductive covering or jacket. Copper is a better choice as a conductor, like we use in our 6 gauge welding cable at EWCS, because it has higher tensile strength and higher conductivity than other products, such as aluminum. Not only is copper a better conductor than products like aluminum, but it also tends to be more resistant to corrosion. Our 6 gauge welding cable has approximately 259 strands of 100% copper that allows it to be the best conductor. Our largest gauge welding cable has over 2000 strands of 100% copper that makes it the best for its size. So when purchasing the right welding cable, make sure that it is made with copper, like our selection of welding cables. Choosing the Proper Size when determinin
Post a Comment
Read more