Skip to main content

Marine Battery & Cable Maintenance

Your boat’s battery is necessary to start the engine, power the electrical system, including lights and navigation, and much more.

For boats powered by a trolling motor, it i the only power source for the vessel.

Without it, you would be dead in the water.

With that said, here are some high-level ways to take care of your marine battery and cables.

Protect and Clean the Terminals
The easiest aspect of marine battery maintenance is to keep the terminals clean. Over time, discharge will exude from the terminals, and this corrosion can damage the battery and make it difficult to establish a solid electrical connection.

Use a solution of warm water and baking soda with a battery terminal brush or a steel wire brush to scrub them clean from time to time.

Then, apply some dielectric grease to the terminals. A thin coating will help prevent water ingress and almost entirely prevent corrosion.

Keep the Battery Charged
A fully charged battery will last longer than one that is fully discharged and allowed to remain at a low level. If possible, you should never allow your battery to die.

Keep your battery fully charged before leaving port. When in port, you may want to hook it up to a battery maintainer with a trickle charge function.

Protect It Against Extreme Temperatures
For small vessels that are removed from the water during the winter, it might be a good idea to remove your battery when your vessel is dry-docked.

Keep it somewhere that preferably won’t experience freezing temperatures, as these can damage batteries, and keep it charged throughout the winter.

Use Only Approved Marine Battery Cable
For wiring purposes and battery leads, it is important to use only USCG and UL-approved marine battery cables.

Marine battery cable is made with very thin copper conductors that are individually tinned. This does two things: it makes them very flexible, and it helps prevent corrosion as the tinned copper is better insulated.

Use the Right Size Marine Battery Cable
It is also critical to use the right gauge of marine-grade wire for the application.

The use of a wire in a gauge that is inappropriate for the load of the circuit will cause the wire to overheat, can cause the insulation to break down, and can cause fires.

Protect Against Chafing
Be cognizant of where the cable exits and enters from any compartments in your vessel. These are all chafing points.

If the wire’s insulation chafes and wears through, you’re at a much higher risk of fire.

Instead, protect your cables with conduit, electrical tape, silicone, or some other buffer at entry points. Consult a marine electrical engineer if you have questions.

Where Can You Find Quality Marine Battery Cable?
Need to replace some of your boat’s wiring or its battery leads? Visit EWCS Wire at EWCSWire.com.

In addition to a wide range of other specialty electrical cables, EWCS Wire also sells marine battery cable that is highly flexible, individually tinned, and USCG, UL, and ABYC approved.

Visit their website for details.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

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

Welding Cable for Sale: Three Key Features to Assess

When you’ve got welding cable on its last legs and are looking for a replacement, one of the best things you can do is buy an exact match for the cable you’ve been using (assuming you were using a suitable cable in the first place). That isn’t always possible, so if you’re looking for welding cable for sale , judge quality by these three criteria. Voltage Rating This is the most important single consideration you need to make when looking at prospective welding cables. Voltage rating is an indication of how much voltage the cable can work with, which will impact how much current it can carry as well. Thicker cables can carry a higher voltage than thinner cables, all things considered. Many welding cables are rated to 600V, just like much building wire. Whatever the case, be entirely certain that the application for which the cables are intended is within the cable’s voltage range. Insulation The insulation with which welding cables are made also plays a prime role in how well th
Post a Comment
Read more