"David" wrote in message
news:IAtOc.3059$8k.2586@fed1read03...
Hi,

The problem is I have never removed a car/marine battery
before and don't know the steps. I don't want to get shocked or damage the
engine of the boat.

You won't get shocked, at least not bad enough to really bother you. If you
are hot and sweaty and manage to get your forearm across the battery you
might feel a little tingle but it won't be dangerous. The battery is only
at 12 volts and it is generally accepted that voltages lower then 40 volts
are considered "safe".

The only thing that would hurt the engine is if you connected the battery
back up backwards, or if you disconnected the battery while the engine was
running. Make sure you identify the "positive" terminal on the battery (it
should have a big + next to it) and the positve battery cable (it should
be red).


All I know is when I helped to jump start a dead
battery of a car one time, there were sparks on the booster cable clamps
when they touched each other.

Letting the cables touch each other can be really bad! Don't do that!

Would someome tell me the steps please. Also
for putting the battery back inside the boat.

The battery is probably in a plastic box held down with a nylon web strap.

1)Unfasten the strap, lift the lid off the box.

2) There are three possible ways the battery is connected. The common
"marine" battery has large wing nuts that hold ring terminals down.
Standard, old fashion automotive type tapered post terminals are also
common. I have been seeing boats recently that use the new side terminals.

If you have wing nuts then you may need a pair of pliers to turn the nuts.
If you have the old style battery post terminals then you will need a 1/2"
wrench. I am not sure what the proper tool is for side terminals.

If you have a battery switch, turn it off. Start by removing the negative
cable from the battery (it should be black). Then remove the positive wire.

3) Once you have the battery disconnected it is a simple matter of lifting
it out and carrying it home. If it is a marine battery then it probably has
a carrying strap built in. If it doesn't have a strap, and it is in the
standard plastic battery box, just lift the entire box out and carry it
around in that.

What ever you do, DO NOT tip the battery on its side, it will leak acid!

I recommend carrying the battery on a piece of old carpet or similar
sacrificial pad. It is common for batteries to end up with trace amounts of
acid outside the case and this can do really bad things to your auto
seats/carpet. It can also do very bad things to your clothes so don't be
wearing expensive slacks.

Installation is the reverse of the above.

Rod