Hi friends,

I know this is a BWCA-focused forum, but thought I would see if any of you fantastic people might be able to help with a slight situation with a motor boat/marine battery. Long story short- I bought my first boat recently and have it covered with a boat cover, but when I took the cover off to work on the motor today I saw the battery box was filled to the brim with water. I took off the things that were hooked up to it (trolling motor, etc) and let it sit in the sun for a few hours. The outside of the battery and the box dried out quickly enough but when I moved it, I noticed that it sounded like there was water or something sloshing inside the battery.

I will work on not allowing rain water into the battery box but my question is- is that battery ruined or what should I do? Can I still try and charge it? Should I just let it sit for a few days? It has just been sitting in that standing water for at least a day, perhaps for as long as a few weeks. Any advice?? Thanks!!

WanderingWoodsmanMN: "...it sounded like there was water or something sloshing inside the battery.

"

Likely battery acid. Put it on a charger overnight and give it a try in the morning.

I'd say no big deal. Hearing a sloshing noise inside a battery is pretty normal. Depending what type of battery it is you are actually supposed to add distilled water to some of them.

If water got inside the battery it is most likely over filled. When you charge it may over flow spilling acid out. Have it on a surface that will not be damaged by a little acid.

MagicPaddler: "If water got inside the battery it is most likely over filled. When you charge it may over flow spilling acid out. Have it on a surface that will not be damaged by a little acid. "

Agree with the others, but also you can bring it into O’Reilly, Advance Auto, Fleet Farm, etc and have it tested for piece of mind.

Battery boxes are legally required on some boats in some states. In MN (at least on a smaller fishing boat) we can just use the trays that bolt to the floor, then the battery straps into the tray. I have this on both batteries in my boat and have never had an issue. No box to fill up with water.

Alrighty, based on the responses here I did put the charger on it and it seems to be okay. Did not leak acid or anything, the trickle battery charger gave me the green light so I will be putting it back in the boat tonight. Hopefully it is okay- thank you all!