I usually get at least 3 years out of a standard wet cell jetski
battery (16CLB) bought at KMart or WalMart. The current one just
finished its 3rd year and was fine when I took it out - who knows next
spring. I don't exactly baby them, using tap water to keep them
filled, etc. but I do take them out for the winter, set them on the
work bench and periodically hook them up to a little smart trickle
charger that I bought at WalMart for $18 a few years ago. The boat
battery is treated the same.

Dave Hall


On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 08:03:18 -0500, "jamesgangnc"
wrote:

I don't think it's the pwc. I've had similar problems with all my small wet
cell batterys. They just don't hold up as well to sitting all winter. They
are often dead the next spring and sulfated enough to not hold a decent
charge. Charging them in the vehicle would probably work just as well but
it's way easier to do it with them out and all together in one place.

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 17 Nov 2007 07:13:38 -0800 (PST), "
wrote:

It is my understanding that a battery needs "exercised". Long periods
of non-usage (over the fall/winter/spring months) will result in the
battery loosing its charge and not be able to accept a charge.

With that said, is it possible that if I wired my battery (in
parallel) to my Ford truck battery, will it be "exercised" and be
ready for another full year of boating, or will it damage the PWC
battery?

I'm trying to avoid the cost of trading in the old battery and
purchasing a new battery each summer.

First, I would suggest that something is wrong with the charging
system in the PWC if you are having to replace batteries every year.

Secondly, wiring it to the truck in parallel wouldn't be a good idea
for a variety of reasons including over charge, unequal charge, etc.

Third, get a "floating" charger rather than a constant "trickle"
charger. The floating charger will turn itself on and off as the
battery requires over winter. You don't really need to remove it from
the PWC - just unconnect it from the PWC (leave it in), hook the
charger to it and plug it in. Unless, of course, that isn't
convenient - in that case just remove it, put it somewhere you can
plug in the charger and let it sit over winter.

I use three floater units on my Ranger over winter and haven't had a
failure yet.

Unless you count the time I left the key and radio on, but that was
Scott's fault. :)

I think PWC's are similar to race cars. They beat the battery apart.
When I raced the Vette, I had a lifetime Sears Diehard. Had a quite a few
of them given to me.