Battery, etc.July 2020
Grant MacLaren's
1972 Correct Craft Skier MacSkier
When we moved to Kirkwood in late 2019, I left MacSkier stored indoors -- in Springfield.
Best Storage in Springfield, IL Click photo for larger image.
In late June, 2020, Dennis Bickel and I drove to Springfield to retrieve the battery. I had to cut the tie-down straps in order to remove the battery. (It's a long story.)
When I rebuilt MacSkier, I moved her battery to the center of the boat, beneath the deck, between the front seats. Previously, the battery had been located under the forward observer's seat and protruded above the deck.
I 'glassed a shallow wood frame to restrict lateral movement of the battery and used "footman's loops" to anchor nylon "hold-down straps." (See here.)
Footman's Loops
Click photo for larger image.
Dennis Bickel at Best Storage Click photo for larger image.
Best Storage interior Click photo for larger image.
In its new location (over the keel, between the front seats), the battery is accessed through a carpeted floor panel with a thumb hole. The hold down straps (webbing) are fastened to footman's loops screwed to a wood and plywood "box" that prevents the battery from sliding. The battery's new location provides vertical clearance beneath the new 3/4 inch plywood floor; a low profile 12 volt Exide 75X battery was selected and used with success.
The Exide Battery - Model #75X Click photo for larger image.
When I was rebuilding the boat, a friend wrote:
You need a starting battery.
A deep cycle (or "marine") battery is designed for a small amp load for long periods of time like a trolling motor.
The high amp draw of engine starting will damage a deep as indicated by your low voltage reading.
Many have made the mistake thinking they need a "marine" battery and ended up with a deep.
A regular starting battery just like you put in your car -- works great.
The only difference with a marine is the addition of threaded studs besides the lug type terminals on ether a deep or starting battery.
Do check your battery cables for signs of corrosion especially if they are the originals from 1988.
Even if they look good, but are the originals, I suggest new ones.
Go with a heavier gauge and in this case do go with "marine" rated cables which are a higher quality and all the strands of wire are tin plated. (I did.)
When you are getting the new battery, pick up one of the battery post cleaners. They have a male and female wire brush for both the battery lugs and the cable terminal ends. (I did not do this; found that emory paper does a good job.)
So, the Exide battery was chosen with the above in mind. However, one very important spec. was that the battery must fit in the place provided for it. So I picked out a 12 volt battery that would fit in its "box." (9.33" x 6.8" x 7.2")
On a recent (July '20) visit to the NAPA store, I learned they no longer carries the EXIDE brand. I was told that my EXIDE was a "Series 75" battery and all manufacturers make that size battery. Sure enough, they had a "NAPA Legend" in that size. Now, is the battery taken out of the boat any good?
I put my charger on it for about two days. When first connected its ammeter jumped to 10 amps, then quickly dropped to 7 amps. The next time I checked, it was reading about 1 amp. (One amp.) I think that's good, but I want to have it checked under load at the parts store, so I'll take it in for testing.
After charging, the volt meter measured 13.03 volts across the terminals.
The NAPA Battery - Model #75X Click photos for larger images.
