Battery over the winter and old fuel???

Adamn · 29 September 2012, 16:48

Hi all just a couple of questions to throw out. If you are not using the rib over winter does anyone disconnect the battery or will it stay charged or will I have to connect the hose and run the engine periodically?
The second question is I have just bought a rib with half a tank of fuel it's only a 35l built in tank but I know it has not been used in a while. Should I just fill her up and add some redex for good measure or try and drain or siphon the tank?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mextli · 29 September 2012, 16:58

Concerning Batteries - I tend to use my Boat the whole year but over the worst of winter (December- February) i remove the battery from the boat, then charge it up at home and leave it sitting there till i use my boat again.

Old fuel is never good - Try and remove it, then filter it/dispose of it.

jambo · 29 September 2012, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mextli

Concerning Batteries - I tend to use my Boat the whole year but over the worst of winter (December- February) i remove the battery from the boat, then charge it up at home and leave it sitting there till i use my boat again.

Old fuel is never good - Try and remove it, then filter it/dispose of it.

Batteries out over winter and if fuel is really old drain

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Adamn · 29 September 2012, 17:32

I can't even siphon there is a gauze filter at the bottom of the feeder hose. Even disconnecting the jubilee grip would not help.
I might have to fill her up and run her connected to the hose.

jambo · 29 September 2012, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamn

I can't even siphon there is a gauze filter at the bottom of the feeder hose. Even disconnecting the jubilee grip would not help.
I might have to fill her up and run her connected to the hose.

You can't disconnect before primer and let it run out?

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yam man · 29 September 2012, 17:51

Put fuel stabiliser and conditioner in the fuel. Run engine so conditioner enters the carb and fog it down (fogging oil through carb trumpet) and the battery home and trickle charge it jobs a gooden

Adamn · 29 September 2012, 18:27

Thanks for all the advice, I will look to see if I can disconnect at the primer. I have not looked at that end yet. The engine is a 2008 yam 60 HP 4 stroke injection so I am not sure how the engine would respond?
The engine has 12 hrs on it and has only been used twice hence the worry how long the last time was? Fine if it was this summer.

jwalker · 30 September 2012, 00:06

I'd top the tank and use the fuel - no Redex. Keep the battery on an automatic charger when not in use; on or off the boat doesn't matter. IMHO of course.

Chris · 30 September 2012, 07:36

Don't worry about the fuel,just add half a tank of fresh next year and it will be fine. If the boat is stored indoors I would just run it on muffs for a few mins every other week(make sure you let any water drain out of the engine afterwards to avoid freezing). If the boat is stored outside then I would winterise the engine and remove the battery. You will need some fogging oil to do this which you spray into the cylinders after removing the sparkplugs.

We tend to use our boat a couple of times a month over the winter so dont bother winterising.

chewy · 30 September 2012, 08:10

I've never had trouble using last years fuel.

Adamn · 30 September 2012, 10:55

Thanks for all the advice. I will run it with plenty of fresh fuel in. It was serviced prior to pick up so it should be all but ready for winter. However as some of the best days of the year can be on a still sunny winters day I will hopefully be using it through out. Snow and ice are not too common in darkest west Cornwall.

PeterM · 02 October 2012, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

I've never had trouble using last years fuel.

+1

Mextli · 02 October 2012, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

I've never had trouble using last years fuel.

Well i had.

HUMBER P4VWL · 03 October 2012, 00:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

I've never had trouble using last years fuel.

Agreed. Done it for 20 yrs, often half full in Sept then left until May, fill them up with fresh at the start of the season, all is good.

Leapy · 03 October 2012, 06:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Agreed. Done it for 20 yrs, often half full in Sept then left until May, fill them up with fresh at the start of the season, all is good.

Yep, same here. But I regularly add Redex injector cleaner throughout the year

neil.mccrirrick · 03 October 2012, 12:01

Agree about fuel, add fresh and all is well, (or it has been for me). I run mine on the muffs once a month through winter, (unless its freezing cold, always had a concern there may be iced water near the impellor). Charge the battery once a month. You're always ready then, just in case there is a mild day and you can get out for a blast