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Taking Care of Your Boat Battery

You put a lot of time and money into your boat and when things go wrong, it can often mean a lot more cash laid out and lot of headaches for you. Sometimes it seems like Murphy’s Law applies to boats more than anything else – what can go wrong, will go wrong. But in the end, parts break, accidents happen, and try as you might, you can truly prevent things from breaking. Often, marine electrical wire needs replacing and when that happens you need to be able to diagnose the problem and determine the best solution that will get you back on the water as fast as possible without breaking the bank.


When it comes to your boat’s health, the battery can be a chief source of frustration. Boat batteries are designed to hold up to the elements, and on the water they are put to the test. Modern marine electrical wire takes advantage of the latest technology to keep the juice flowing no matter what nature throws at it. So, how do you know if the problem even lies with your boat’s battery? The most common way is by noticing a problem with your boat’s electrical system. After that, there are some simple tests to run to isolate the issue.

First, you will need to determine if your battery is running too low on power. Flip the switch that will move the outboard down and up once and see if it is capable of completing the operation. If so, you should have enough juice and you can move on to other things.

Rule out a simple user error by making sure that the boat is in a neutral throttle position before attempting to engage. Be sure to move it in and out of position a few times to ensure it is correct.

Once you have determined that the throttle is indeed in the correct position, now it is time to check on the battery. A common cause for electrical issues is corrosion. See to it that your battery, its cables, and connections are free from any corrosive material or rust and that every connection is clean. Perform regular maintenance on your boat and be sure that battery care is part of your routine. Ensure that other electrical devices are powered as well. The problem may reside in another component other than the battery. You may need a replacement cable, or a piece of equipment, such as your alternator, may be broken.

At EWCSWire, our experts are ready to help you with any of your marine cable or electrical equipment issues. We couple our years of experience with the latest in technology and top of the line products to offer you the very best in your electrical equipment needs. Consult with us and we are happy to help you get your boat’s troubles resolved and get you back to the surf as quickly as possible. After all, our mission is connecting contractors, electricians. and everyday people with the right gear they need to get the job done quickly and easily.

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