Jet skis can provide hours of fun during the summer months. However, battery troubles may put a damper on your enjoyment. Here are three reasons why your jet ski battery may be struggling to remain charged.
You’re incorrectly storing the battery. Improperly storing a jet ski battery over winter can lead to premature deterioration. To prevent this from happening, fully charge the battery, remove it from your jet ski and store it in a cool, dry place like a basement or garage over the winter months. You may also want to use a trickle charger to prevent the battery from completing discharging. Doing this will help extend the lifespan of your battery and ensure it’s ready to use once the weather warms up.
You’re overcharging the battery. Overcharging your jet ski battery can lead to significant damage and thereby prevent it from holding a charge. As a rule of thumb, jet ski batteries should be charged at a slow, steady rate of about one amp. To avoid overcharging, don’t allow the battery charger to sit on the battery for longer than the charging period. As an additional fail-safe, you may want to invest in a smart charger that automatically turns off once the battery is fully charged.
You’re not using the battery enough. Jet ski batteries notoriously die due to inactivity. If you don’t use your jet ski often enough, the battery will begin to sulfate. Over time, excessive sulfate buildup can cause your battery to take longer to charge, become more susceptible to overheating and lead to complete failure. To prevent this from happening, regularly start your jet ski to keep the battery working or attach it to a trickle charger when it’s not in use.
Lastly, sometimes the problem isn’t the battery. For example, a loose electrical connection, broken gauge, dirty spark plug or even accidentally leaving the key in the ignition can all cause your jet ski to have starting issues. However, if your jet ski battery is consistently dying, you may want to look into purchasing a replacement.
Jet ski batteries typically last between three and five years. However, if the battery has been damaged, the lifespan may be significantly reduced.
Recreational batteries in Western Canada
At Prairie Battery, we carry a variety of power sports and marine batteries, as well as boost packs, solar panels and more. If you need help finding a specific product, a member of our staff can help. Contact us at our Winnipeg, Brandon, Regina, Greater Toronto area or Edmonton location.