How to care for a boat battery?

Batteries are required to do more and more work on modern boats. Batteries have a finite life, which depends in part how they are cared for.

• Make sure your batteries are secure: Shock and vibration can decrease battery life.
• Clean battery surface: Dirt can conduct electricity silently robbing your energy
• Electrical connections must be clean and corrosion free
• Check battery cable connections weekly: These should be tight and free of corrosion.
• Visually inspect all cables: look for cracks, breaks, tears or other damage
• Inspect all starter connections: lubricate starter bushes and/or bearings when necessary
• Check charging circuit connections
• Check electrolyte level and state of charge monthly: Refill with distilled water or if they are sealed batteries use a load test.
• Track discharging levels. Never discharge the battery below 12.2volts, recharge the battery after use, leaving it semi-discharged will shorten its life
• Do not connect any wires dirctly to the battery: all connections must be made to the power panel, through fuses or circuit breakers

With proper care , most moderate quality batteries can be expected to last at least 3 years, premium can last more than 7. There are no bargain batteries.