Suzuki outboard motors 1988 2003 repair manual., Page 157Get this manual
IGNITION AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS 5-45 rated output, as the charger responds to the condition of the batteryAs the battery continues to charge, the sensing device monitors the state of charge and reduces the charging rateAs the rate of charge tapers to zero amps, the charger will continue to supply few rnilliamps of current-just enough to maintain charged conditionBefore you disconnect the cable(s), first turn the ignition to the OFFpositionThis will prevent draw on the battery which could cause arcingWhen the battery cable($ are reconnected (negative cable last), be sure to check all electrical accessories are all working correctlyBATTERY CABLES
Battery cables don't go bad very often, but like anything else, they can wear out If the cables on your boat are cracked, frayed or broken, they should be replaced When working on any electrical component, it is always good idea to disconnect the negative (-) battery cable This will prevent potential damage to many sensitive electrical components Always replace the battery cables with one of the same length, or you will increase resistance and possibly cause hard starting Smear the battery posts with light film of dielectric grease, or battery terminal protectant spray once you've installed the new cables If you replace the cables one at time, you won't mix them up
Any time you disconnect the battery cables, it is recommended that you disconnect the negative (-) battery cable firstThis will prevent you from accidentally grounding the positive (+) terminal when disconnecting it, thereby preventing damage to the electrical systemBATTERY STORAGE
If the boat is to be laid up for the winter or for more than few weeks, special attention must be given to the battery to prevent complete discharge or possible damage to the terminals and wiringBefore putting the boat in storage, disconnect and remove the batteriesClean them thoroughly of any dirt or corrosion, and then charge them to full specific gravity readingAfter they are fully charged, store them in clean cool dry place where they will not be damaged or knocked over, preferably on couple blocks of woodStoring the battery up off the deck, will permit air to circulate freely around and under the battery and will help to prevent condensationNever store the battery with anything on top of it or cover the battery in such manner as to prevent air from circulating around the filler capsAll batteries, both new and old, will discharge during periods of storage, more so if they are hot than if they remain coolTherefore, the electrolyte level and the specific gravity should be checked at regular intervalsA drop in the specific gravity reading is cause to charge them back to full readingIn cold climates, care should be exercised in selecting the battery storage areaA fully-charged battery will freeze at about 60 degrees below zeroA discharged battery, almost dead, will have ice forming at about 19 degrees above zeroISee Figure 48