Skip to main content

Four Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Marine Battery Cable

If you’ve ever had battery trouble on a trip, whether on land or out on the water, you surely know how much of a damper it can put on productivity and enjoyment. Unfortunately, all physical systems wear out with use, which is why watching for signs that indicate a need for extra maintenance is such an important action to take. In this article, we will explore how you can watch for the signs that could indicate marine battery cable failure so that you can catch it before it becomes a problem.

Sign #1: Residue or Buildup Around Battery Contacts
Upon inspecting your battery, carefully look at the contacts of your battery, where the marine battery cable connects to your battery. A sign that you might need to replace your battery cable or even the battery itself is the accumulation of mineral residue around the contacts. Be careful with this residue, as it can be corrosive to the touch.

Sign #2: Crackling Cables
Believe it or not, it is possible for cables to degrade beneath the insulation in such a way that you might not be able to immediately see the degradation. Of course, sometimes you might be able to identify damage to a cable by looking for damage to the exterior insulation, but in cases that the copper on the inside degrades or is damaged, you’ll have to turn to a different technique than visual inspection.

To inspect a cable for internal damage, gently bend the cable while listening closely for crackling or snapping noises. Crackling or snapping can indicate broken or displaced copper on the inside of the cable. A marine battery cable that crackles when gently bent should be replaced.

Sign #3: Scent of Burning Rubber or Acrid Scent
If you notice an odd scent in your boat’s battery compartment, pay close attention. A scent of burning rubber or an acrid/acidic scent can indicate a cable that is overheating and damaging its insulation from the inside out. Such a scent could also indicate battery leakage, which is an even more serious problem than marine battery cable damage. Regardless, strong smells in your battery compartment should not be ignored and might be a good prompt for more formal maintenance.

Sign #4: Hot Cables
The last sign that could indicate a need to replace cables is a cable that is physically hot to the touch through its insulation. While some residual engine heat may warm up cables somewhat, cables should not become hot from regular use, as their insulation is designed specifically to prevent overheating. Hot cables could indicate a flawed cable or an issue with the current running through your electrical system.

Do you need to replace your cables? Are you unsure whether you need new cables? Our team of professionals can help you further. We stock certified, high-quality cables at fantastic prices. Come visit us today at www.ewcswire.com and see how we can help you ensure your boat is ship-shape.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Find the Electric Wire Cable Your Business Needs

If you operate a business that deals with electrical wiring, it’s crucial to make sure you have the exact cables for the job at hand. Not having the right supplies for the job on hand can lead to costly delays. If your client is on a strict schedule, it could even cost you their business. Don’t let your business get caught in this kind of scenario, keep your inventory stocked with quality electric wire cable at a great price by visiting the Electric Wire and Cable Specialists(EWCS). At EWCS, we have been providing professionals with the cable they need for over 20 years. We know the quality matters, and we make all of our electrical cables right here in the USA from only the highest quality 100% copper wire. We make sure each product we offer has been certified by either a UL or ETL nationally recognized testing laboratory. When you buy our wire and cable, you know that you will receive a product you can install with confidence. No matter what job your business takes on,...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Importance of Fire Alarm Cables

There are few things more important than fire safety. Without the proper fire electrical equipment set up in a small home or a big building, one small fire that starts anywhere in the building can cause a huge safety issue. According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of seven people die from fires on a daily basis. The fact that this could be prevented makes the situation that much worse. When any type of building gets ready for people to move into it, whether it’s to work or to live, one of the most important things to check is fire safety. Fires spread like no other, so ensuring that the building has the proper fire safety tools to help prevent fires from starting and spreading with no warning to the other occupants in the building is a major factor in the overall safety of the building. Besides actually having a smoke or fire detector in place, one of the most important things all fire alarms need to have to ensure the safety of the building’s occu...
Post a Comment
Read more

Common Questions About Security and Alarm Cables, Answered

Not sure which type of security or alarm cable your facility or system needs? Hopefully, these answers to common questions can help! What cable is used for alarm systems? Security and alarm systems are usually wired with small-gauge wire specifically designed for the purpose. For instance, many security systems are wired with 12 and 18 AWG gauge alarm wire, as these low-voltage applications do not necessarily require larger, heavier wires. However, larger or wire gauges may be required depending on the circumstances. Also, there are some unique requirements for some systems. For instance, fire alarm cables must be made with specific insulation that is heat resistant and which does not produce toxic smoke when burned. What gauge cable do you need for alarm systems? Only your specific system requirements can answer that question, but often large wire gauges (that is, smaller wires) are used as security and alarm cables because of the low-voltage, low-current application. What is ...
Post a Comment
Read more