Century Batteries urges boaties to give their batteries a health check before hitting the water
As warmer weather brings Australian boaties back to the water, Century Batteries is urging boat owners to add one important job to their pre-launch checklist: making sure their battery is ready for summer.
After months of reduced use over winter, a battery that performed perfectly last season won’t necessarily be in the same shape once it’s asked to start the engine and power everything on board.
And unlike a flat battery in the driveway, discovering a battery problem once you’re already on the water can leave you in a far more difficult position.
Andrew Bottoms, Australasian Marketing Manager – Automotive at Century Yuasa, said the beginning of boating season was an important time to check the condition of a vessel’s battery rather than assuming it would perform as it did last summer.
“Your boat might have spent months sitting in the garage or driveway, but that doesn’t mean the battery will be in exactly the same condition you left it,” Mr Bottoms said.
“Checking its state of charge, connections and overall condition before that first trip can help identify potential problems before you’re at the ramp – or worse, already out on the water.
“With today’s boats also powering everything from fish finders and navigation equipment to fridges and lighting, it’s important to make sure your battery setup is suited to what you’re asking it to do.”
Century Batteries ambassador and passionate angler Andrew ‘ET’ Ettingshausen said preparation was part of every successful day on the water.
Andrew ‘ET’ Ettingshausen
“When summer rolls around, everyone’s keen to get the boat in and get going, but you don’t want excitement to mean skipping the basics,” Mr Ettingshausen said.
“There’s nothing worse than getting everyone together, loading up the gear and making it out on the water only for a preventable issue to cut the day short.
“I want to know the boat is ready before I leave the ramp. Checking the battery, fuel, safety equipment and conditions is just part of the routine.”
Before putting the boat back in the water, Century Batteries recommends five simple battery checks to help avoid an unwanted breakdown:
1. Check your battery’s state of charge
Don’t assume your battery is ready to go just because it worked last season. Check its state of charge before heading out and recharge if required. For most lead-acid batteries, a reading of 12.5V or below (measured when the battery is at rest) indicates the battery should be recharged.
2. Inspect the battery and connections
Check terminal connectors for corrosion and make sure connections are clean and secure. The battery should also be properly installed and securely fastened before heading out on the water.
3. Test it before you trust it
If your battery voltage is consistently low, don’t wait until you’re at the ramp to discover there could be a problem. Take it to a battery specialist for testing before relying on it for another season.
4. Do a summer power audit
Consider the accessories you’ll be running and how much power they require. If you need to power fridges, lighting or other high-current-draw accessories, a secondary deep-cycle battery can help prevent you from running down your boat’s starting battery.
5. Protect the power that gets you home
Fish finders, fridges, navigation equipment and other onboard accessories all place demands on your battery. Make sure your battery setup is suited to your engine and accessory requirements, so you still have the starting power needed to restart the engine and get home.
Mr Bottoms said a battery check should become as routine as checking fuel, weather conditions and safety equipment.
“A reliable battery isn’t just about getting the engine started at the ramp. Once you’re on the water, it supports the systems you rely on throughout the day and, importantly, needs to have enough power left to get you home.
“A little preparation before summer gets into full swing can mean more time enjoying the water and less time dealing with an avoidable breakdown.”
For more marine battery advice and to find the right battery for your boat, visit www.centurybatteries.com.au.
