"Bill Durham" wrote in message
...
Guys,

I have learned a lesson...maintenance free batteries are not maintenance
free. I have been having a problem with my SX150 Yamaha being slow to
start. It would spin, but not fire. I have been scratching my head
about taking it into the shop, but I just had it tuned up this spring.

Anyway, I went to the lake the other morning and it didn't start. I
decided I needed a new crank battery, the Die Hards I bought 2 years ago
were not holding a charge very well. Where I launch is only about 2
miles away from a Walmart..so I pulled the boat out of the ramp and
headed for Wally World. I got there, and just for grins took my battery
inside and had them test my battery. To my surprise, it checked good.
I did buy a set of battery post connectors as I had been using the stud
and wing nuts that came with the battery. I put the motor start cables
on the new post connectors and the accessories on the stud. After about
15 minutes on jumper cables and my car battery, I put the battery back
in the boat and went to the lake. The motor started just fine!

Back to my starting premise..I popped the caps off of the batteries this
weekend and they were bone dry. Between the 3 batteries, I put about
1.5 gallons of distilled water in them. I have probably ruined them by
not checking the fluid level, but I thought that they were maintenance
free..and I have never had to put fluid in my car battery....

Anyway, I'll keep a closer watch on the fluid level of the batteries
from now on. Live and learn

Bill Durham