Will a Handheld Jump Starter Harm My Boat Batteries?

[@tao4409]

LOL I had that very issue: small boat, 23 feet, 115 horse outboard, one battery; stopped the engine about 12 miles out to figure out what "THAT" vibration was (little piece of rope around the prop hub), then she wouldn't start because my battery was due for a replacement for a while. I'd have been screwed if I was running an inboard; instead I pull-started the outboard and cruised directly to the town 2 ports over where there was a battery store near the dock and was good to go. If that had happened in a squall, I might not be here to tell the tale. I would say the "jumper packs" are a good idea as backup just in case, but get a good one; my brother had a cheapo and it went up in smoke jumping his Silverado (small block V8, easy to start). The brand name stuff is usually decent, the knockoffs are garbage that should not be relied on, especially on water. I still want that trimaran from Waterworld......

[@borysnijinski331]

If you knew the battery was due for replacement for a while...need I say more?

[@tao4409]

@@borysnijinski331 Well, exactly. I would NOT have been 12 miles out on a beat battery if I didn't have the pull-start option, even way back then when I was immortal. LOL

[@borysnijinski331]

@@tao4409 thing is, the engine needs the battery to run, not just for starting.

[@tao4409]

@@borysnijinski331 It does?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Good sharing, yep batteries are also essential not only to start an engine but also to run the engine. Hence why engines have alternators to offset loads (e.g. fuel pump, gauges, etc...) to run engine and recharge battery from starting.

[@kenpole1840]

clarification: when switching to the "both" or "1+2" position from "1"or "2", never rotate through the "off" position while an engine is running. It is likely to fry your alternator.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Well said, your absolutely correct!

[@wish2fish37]

Good video.What if I wanted to substitute a battery jumper in place of a battery ona small boat?Have a 14 foot I want to get rid of starting battery and just use the jumper in it’s place to save space and weight mostly.Seems you can get multiple jumps out of these.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hmmm, not sure if this will work. My understanding is the engine battery is essential and the battery booster helps, it does NOT replace the engine battery.

[@baldok14]

@@PacificYachtSystems There are videos on youtube where these jumper packs start 2.9L gas engines and so on. But beware not all batteries are worthy. Some are better than others. Actually I’m in the process of building a 16ft skiff and thinking about using one of these as the starter battery rather than an agm one. If all else fails, 20hp outboard has manual start. What do you think ?

[@michaelmorrison7632]

I'm planning to get lithium starting battery for a 5.0 single-engine boat. I have a supplementary charging pack as you are talking about but it warns not to use on lithium batteries. Just as a booster it may become necessary at some point but now I'm worried about getting a lithium starting battery from Dakota

[@erniesanders3724]

Great tips as usual from the Best. Thanks Jeff from Western Kentucky.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Very welcome

[@robintaylor1490]

Thanks Jeff 😊

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Glad you like it Robin.

[@Minnesotastar]

Thank you, Jeff! I’ve actually wondered that myself. I keep jumper cables on my boat, just in case I need to jump the engine from the house.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Jumpers cables are a good idea.

[@Valk69]

So a battery selector is mainly for your engine? That way if your engine battery doesn't have enough power you can add your "house" battery bank to it? I have a single engine and single battery but I'm looking to add a "house" bank for more electronics, windlass etc.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Yep in part. Battery source selector switches are for choosing which battery powers the DC loads, also allows to join batteries together (both for charging or running loads).

[@javierbetancourt9388]

💯 clear

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks Javier.

[@KenUngaro]

Very good advice Jeff!!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks Ken.

[@ellsworb]

Would this advice change at all if I have an AGM starter battery and a Lithium battery for house? I currently have my lithium house completely independent of the starter battery circuit and only connected via a dc-dc charger. I carry a small booster battery as I was under the impression I should NOT combine my AGM and Lithium batteries.

[@KeithCunningham-hj7nd]

Great Content Thank You

[@davidmurn772]

The other thought to consider, is if you may happen to come across another boater who has battery issues. If you can give someone a jump start rather than a tow, that's a much better option. For the same reason I have a 2-stroke engine, but I carry a spare container of 4-stroke petrol. That way if I come across a boater out of fuel, I can give them some, if I need it for myself then I can mix the oil in on-the-spot.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hi David, good one: sharing is caring.

[@borysnijinski331]

Jump starting can cause problems for you. If damage is done to your electrics or electronics due to voltage spikes or current surge, the other boater (also car owner) will not pony up to pay for repairs to your car.

[@davidmurn772]

@@borysnijinski331 If the other boater doesn't want to use your jump starter because they don't want to pay for repairs, and would prefer to remain drifting at sea, that's up to them. I like to at least have the option of being able to help.

[@JKevinWilson]

With a gas engine under the cockpit sole, and the batteries inside that same compartment, what would be the safest way to jump off if needed? Add some battery posts outside of the engine bay?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Battery connections in the engine room are unavoidable and it's OK.

[@ANDYYSHAWW118]

Can you use 1 of those Noco jump starers without a battery to test if the solenoid is working and then test the starter motor with the Just starter? Any help appreciated

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Don't think so, doubtful the noco jump starter would have enough cranking amps to start a battery.

[@Ibian666]

Another option is to use the house battery to charge the starter battery. I had to do that on my first boat, the signal lights were connected to the starter battery and it was enough to drain it overnight.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

interesting.

[@piratetusmc365]

Hello, I have a four battery bank. How would I jump the engine with one of the little jump starters?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

You'd want to put the small jumper pack connected to the engine battery leads.

[@josephbahr9592]

Can you use jumper cables made for a car to jump a boating starter lead acid battery from a boating lithium battery?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Hmmm, not sure, as Lithium batteries aren't known for starting applications. Not so worried about the battery cabling, more about the starting load on a Lithium battery.

[@MrZX1409]

Question, I just purchased my first boat a used 2013 Monterey M3 and it has a dual battery setup and the voltage is reading 11.5v with batt sel switch set to 1& 2(Both) (seems low to me if it's like autos (12.5v). So, what is the proper way to recharge these batteries while in the boat? Should I put the battery selector switch on 1& 2(Both) and attached the POS cable to 1st battery POS terminal and the NEG cable to the second battery NEG terminal?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Ideally you would have a 2 bank battery charger, hooked up to both batteries. Then the switch location would not matter.

[@MrZX1409]

@@PacificYachtSystems Well I don't have one of those I'll look into a noco dual charger but is it ok to charge it as I mention?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

if you have a single bank charger you can connect to one battery and put the switch to both. A battery booster (this video) is not going to charge the batteries.

[@MrZX1409]

@@PacificYachtSystems ok thank you, but if I where to purchase a two bank battery charger like the one in the link, what position does the batt selector need to be in?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

If you connect the charger directly to both batteries. The switch can be anywhere. including off.

[@thangknowa2567]

The little "Jump Starter" needs to be of sufficient amps to do the job, some are not. And if so, connect it and GET AWAY FROM IT when you try to start the engine, discharged batteries have been known to blow up during jump starts. Don't even refer to those things as "Hand Held". SAFETY FIRST!

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks for sharing.