Worrying about a dead starting battery?

[Woody B]

I've got a Noco GB40 in my boat and a GB70 in my truck.  There's no risk of an arc when using a quality jump box like a Noco.  Jumper cables "can" be dangerous, but only if they're not used properly.   I've jumped off several boats on the lake, as well as a few vehicles at the landings with my jump boxes.   I'm not changing batteries until they need changed.   A battery may last 10 years, or it may last 10 days. 

 

My 50 HP Mercury has a rope under the cowl.....but I suspect it would be really hard or impossible to start with a dead battery.   It needs current for the injectors.   I've got a friend with a 150.  It's got a rope too.  I'd like to see that in use.   

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, Woody B said:

I've got a Noco GB40 in my boat and a GB70 in my truck.  There's no risk of an arc when using a quality jump box like a Noco.  Jumper cables "can" be dangerous, but only if they're not used properly.   I've jumped off several boats on the lake, as well as a few vehicles at the landings with my jump boxes.   I'm not changing batteries until they need changed.   A battery may last 10 years, or it may last 10 days. 

 

My 50 HP Mercury has a rope under the cowl.....but I suspect it would be really hard or impossible to start with a dead battery.   It needs current for the injectors.   I've got a friend with a 150.  It's got a rope too.  I'd like to see that in use.   

Pop the cowl and give it a whirl! (Maybe stretch first)

[GaryH]

Simple install on your starting battery. No more worries.

[TnRiver46]

All I have to do with my truck is park on an incline, which is easy in east TN because there is no flat ground. Stick shift for the win 

[MN Fisher]

16 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

All I have to do with my truck is park on an incline, which is easy in east TN because there is no flat ground. Stick shift for the win 

One of the things I miss about my old WT-1500 - 5-speed on a 4.3L Vortec V-6

[GaryH]

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

All I have to do with my truck is park on an incline, which is easy in east TN because there is no flat ground. Stick shift for the win 

I use it on the boat. Just in case I’m running the graphs and the live well all day without starting the engine just trolling. 

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, GaryH said:

I use it on the boat. Just in case I’m running the graphs and the live well all day without starting the engine just trolling. 

I know lots of folks that night fish and their battery always dies from keeping the lights and graphs on 

[Darth-Baiter]

i fish from a kayak, so excuse my stupid question.

 

can you jump the starting battery with the bank of trolling batteries.?

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

can you jump the starting battery with the bank of trolling batteries.?

Only if the batteries your using in that bank are rated for starting. Trying to start (or jump-start) a motor with a battery designed for deep-cycle use only is a good way to destroy the battery.

[Darth-Baiter]

4 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Only if the batteries your using in that bank are rated for starting. Trying to start (or jump-start) a motor with a battery designed for deep-cycle use only is a good way to destroy the battery.

so in a dire emergency, you can do it?  but be prepared to pay the consequences?

[GaryH]

33 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i fish from a kayak, so excuse my stupid question.

 

can you jump the starting battery with the bank of trolling batteries.?

Also make sure there not running in series. 

[jhoffman]

1 hour ago, GaryH said:

Also make sure there not running in series. 

Even a battery in a series can produce 12 volts as long as you dont connect the jumper in the series setup. Just hook directly to one battery.

[TnRiver46]

2 hours ago, jhoffman said:

Even a battery in a series can produce 12 volts as long as you dont connect the jumper in the series setup. Just hook directly to one battery.

 

4 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i fish from a kayak, so excuse my stupid question.

 

can you jump the starting battery with the bank of trolling batteries.?

Yep, done it a few times. Like @jhoffmansaid, don’t jump them with the bank of batteries, only jump with one 12v. (Disconnect the jumper wire between them so it’s no longer a “bank”)

 

you can also give your trolling batteries a charge with your outboard if you get creative. It’s probably not recommended but Ive never been known for following recommendations 

[Alex from GA]

When I was lots younger I could start my Merc 1000 6 cylinder with a rope.  I did this many times but couldn't start my Merc 85 4 cylinder with a rope.  I got a jump box for Christmas which went in the boat today.  I didn't need it.  I only have 2 graphs on my group 27 starting battery for my Merc 50 so I'll never run out of power.