Outboard motors require batteries to operate, similar to the way that your automobile does. If the battery does not have enough charge or power, your outboard motor, along with the rest of the boat's electrical components, will not operate. Generally, you hook up a marine battery to your outboard motor in the same fashion that you would in your car. With the right instruction, you can hook it up and get your outboard motor the power that is requires in less than five minutes.
Items you will need
Socket wrench
Protective gloves
Put on some protective gloves, then pick the battery up and place it in the boat's battery compartment. The location of the boat's battery compartment may vary based on make and model, but should generally be somewhere toward the back of the boat.
Connect the battery cables to the marine battery. Slide the positive (+) battery connector, located on the red (+) cable, over the battery's positive terminal post. Slide the negative (-) connector, on the black (-) cable, over the negative (-) post.
Use the socket wrench to tighten both of the connectors on the battery posts. Tighten both enough so that they cannot move freely while you operate your boat.
Warnings
- You can install an optional "Battery Brain" to the positive battery post, then connect the positive (red) battery cable to it in order to provide push-button power to the battery. This can help you avoid the possibility of draining the power from the battery when it is not being used.
Warnings
- You can install an optional "Battery Brain" to the positive battery post, then connect the positive (red) battery cable to it in order to provide push-button power to the battery. This can help you avoid the possibility of draining the power from the battery when it is not being used.
Writer Bio
Based in Florida, Robert Ceville has been writing electronics-based articles since 2009. He has experience as a professional electronic instrument technician and writes primarily online, focusing on topics in electronics, sound design and herbal alternatives to modern medicine. He is pursuing an Associate of Science in information technology from Florida State College of Jacksonville.
