Winterizing

[mattdd]

I was just reading the winterizing sticky in the engine faq forum. I never winterize my engine, but I use it more then 10 months of the year. I have a john boat that?s decked like a bass boat with a 90hp Yamaha. I fish all summer and hunt from it till about the middle of Jan. And start all over in March. And more then likely its out some time between those dates. Since it never sits more then 2 months, should I still be winterizing, or just do basic maintenance like change lower unit oil and change spark plugs? Anything else I need to do?

 

[bgbass.1]

Re: Winterizing

use stabilizer in gas and you should decarbon motor as well as change water pump impella at least once a year

 

[mattdd]

Re: Winterizing

what is decarbon?

i have been reading other winterizing threads and one of the common concerns is what to do with batteries. seems like the recommendation is to keep them on trickle charge, or charge them everyonce in awhile thru the winter. does this keep them from going bad? my starting bat. gets a charge everytime i go out, but when i'm out in fall and winter the only thing i really use on my accesory bats for is the nav lites for about 10 minutes each morning and evening. and i might not charge that battery inbetween trips. would this be a problem? i guess its not too much to just charge it every trip if that will work.

 

[bgbass.1]

Re: Winterizing

what you should do is buy a on board charger and leave it charging all the time when not in use.you can buy 1 to 4 banks depending on how many batteries you have.the advantage is always fully charged batteries and it conditions the batteries. they have them on i boats at a reasonable prices.ive used one for years i have 3 batteries hooked to it and it works great

 

[mattdd]

Re: Winterizing

will a 2 bank work with one bank on the starting and the other bank on the 2 acc. bats wired in parralell?

 

[bgbass.1]

Re: Winterizing

sure will