How to Charge Exide Marine Batteries
Exide marine batteries are deep-cycle batteries to power trolling motors, depth finders and lights in a boat. A deep-cycle battery provides a small amount of electricity for extended hours of time without an alternator to regenerate the battery. Automotive batteries supply a burst of energy to start a car and then regenerate themselves from alternator power.
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Things You'll Need
- Adjustable wrench
- Board
- Flat screwdriver
- Distilled water
- Automatic battery charger
Instructions
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1
Place an adjustable wrench on the black negative battery clamp. Turn the bolt counterclockwise to loosen and remove the clamp. Repeat this step to remove the red positive battery cable.
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2
Pull the battery up and out of the boat and place it indoors on a board.
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3
Place a flat screwdriver underneath a battery cell cap and pry it off. Repeat this procedure to remove each cap. Add distilled water to each battery cell that has a level below the metal plates inside. Fill each cell to cover the metal plates and replace the caps by pressing them down firmly.
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4
Set an automatic battery charger near the battery. Clip the black lead from the battery charger onto the negative battery terminal. Clip the red lead from the battery charger onto the positive battery terminal.
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5
Plug the charger into an electrical receptacle and turn the battery charger on. Turn the switch to the correct voltage that is listed on the battery label. The automatic battery charger will turn off after the battery is completely charged.
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6
Turn the battery charger off and remove the red and black leads from the deep cycle battery. Replace it in the boat and replace the negative and positive battery cables on the terminals. Tighten the clamps by turning the bolts clockwise.
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Tips & Warnings
Using an automatic battery charger that shuts off upon completion of charging keeps the battery from being overcharged.
Charging a battery with a low water level will cause the plates to corrode and can damage or short-circuit a cell so that the battery will not hold a full charge.
Charge the battery within 24 hours after using it to maintain it.
Discharged batteries can freeze and become inadequate for recharging.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
