Tag Archives: battery

Dr. Doo: Transition from Storage to the Water

11 Monday May 2015

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2015-SEA-DOO-GTR-215-ACTION-8

After a cold and extended winter, we cannot be more excited to reunite with some warm weather and get back to riding! If you winterized your watercraft with the basic maintenance, you’re in great shape to get back to the water with minimal prep. Here are a few quick tips to ensure the best performance of your Sea-Doo watercraft and maximum fun this summer.

2015-SEA-DOO-GTX-155_STUDIO-Storage-frontSPRING CLEANING
After bringing your Sea-Doo watercraft out of hibernation, it’s a good practice to Clean & Detail to prevent sun damage and remove contaminates from the water.

  • c0c824a40d95c98a5fef9ecf825b18aeGrab the hose and rinse off with the XPS Boat and PWC Wash and Wax. Made exclusively for Sea-Doo watercraft, this material-safe product will bring back that showroom shine.
  • The long winter months can take a toll on your vinyl seats creating mold and grime from the moisture. Use the XPS vinyl cleaner to help restore your vinyl seat and handlebar pad.
  • Once your Sea-Doo watercraft is looking new again, grab the XPS microfiber towel to avoid scratching and polish to perfection.

BASIC INSPECTION ROUTINE
A clean ride also needs to be a ‘healthy’ ride. Before starting the season, be sure to perform a thorough inspection to make sure that all your watercraft parts are functioning properly. A basic check-up includes the following:

  • Inspect all fuel and water lines for cracks or any other types of damage. Always replace any lines that you notice with damage before riding.
  • Check all electrical connections for damage or build up. If any damages are noticed be sure to have them repaired. For build-up, a good cleaning will help reset for riding season.
  • t329_cd4cdc58b4cabb59dde74ad985e31d0fIf you did not change the oil and oil filter before winterizing, spring-cleaning provides the best opportunity to do this. The XPS 4-stroke Maintenance and Oil Change Kit includes XPS oil, an oil filter, three NGK spark plugs and an instruction sheet.
  • Spark plugs can develop residue or collect moisture over the winter due to the cold. Check and change your spark plugs if necessary.
  • Make sure your battery has been properly charged and reinstall the battery into your Sea-Doo watercraft.
  • 2015-SEA-DOO-RXP-X-260---STUDIO-AES_SteeringThe controls should be checked for proper movement. This includes (steering, steering cable, throttle, throttle cable and iBR, lever). If they stick, use the XPS lUBE so that they move freely.
  • Double-check that your Sea-Doo watercraft is running correctly by connecting it to a hose. Start the engine and run for no longer than two minutes.
  • If you run into any questions during the Spring-cleaning process, always refer to your Sea-Doo owner’s manual or ask your authorized Sea-Doo dealer.

Following these simple steps will ensure that you have the best riding season that you can. Now, it’s time to have some fun! Do you have additional pre-riding rituals to share? Share them with us.

HOW-TO WITH DOCTOR DOO: SEA-DOO WINTERIZING TIPS – KEEP UP THE ENERGY

25 Tuesday Nov 2014

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drdoo Dr. Doo wants you to keep your energy up during the offseason so your Sea-Doo watercraft is in tip-top shape when spring arrives.

This monthly blog will include tips and insight on seasonal maintenance, systems care, and the products to help maximize your Sea-Doo Life. The winter cold is tough on batteries. It’s important to take the proper preventive maintenance steps to ensure your battery is healthy and ready-to-go when you take your watercraft out of hibernation.

The cold can cause troubles for your battery trauma in two ways;

  • Your Rotax engine requires much more current from your battery to turn over when it’s cold due to the thickening of the oil.
  • Colder temperatures slow the chemical reactions that generate electricity.

Although you may not be using your Sea-Doo watercraft in the cooler months as often, or at all, these tips from Dr. Doo will help ensure you keep the energy up with your electrical system. 

Give your battery a visual check-up.

Ensure your Sea-Doo battery terminals are corrosion free.

Ensure your Sea-Doo battery terminals are corrosion free.

Take a detailed look at the battery casing, looking for damage such as cracks or leaks. If you find any “flaws” in the battery, replace it immediately as a damaged battery can cause operational problems. The battery terminals (where the cables attach to the battery) should be clean, free of corrosion and the cable ends should be securely attached with no “wiggle.” Also, check the cables themselves for damage or wear. If there is any exposed metal of the wiring, replace that section.

Conduct a test.

A certified BRP Sea-Doo watercraft technician should check any battery three years old or older. The tech can conduct a cold cranking power test (CCA test) to measure the amount of power (amperage) the battery is able to produce for half a minute in cooler temperatures. A battery should produce a minimum voltage of 7.3 volts even at freezing. If the battery falls below these minimum standards, it’s time to purchase a new Yuasa° battery from an authorized BRP/Sea-Doo dealer.

Keep it warm if possible.

Providing a protected environment away from freezing temperatures and frigid winds can help keep the energy levels up. If possible, store your watercraft inside a garage or closed storage area. If storing your Sea-Doo watercraft inside isn’t possible you may want to consider removing your battery and storing it in your garage during the winter. When storing your battery, be sure to cover your terminals with a rubber cover or in a cardboard box to avoid possible arcing.

A "Smart" battery charger will maintain proper charge over extended times of non-use.

A “Smart” battery charger will maintain proper charge over extended times of non-use.

An IV for your battery.

To help ensure your battery maintains healthy energy levels Dr. Doo prescribes you utilize a smart battery charger. These tools are designed for this use and won’t overcharge your battery and ensure they are at maximum strength when it’s go time. These tools can also be used for your other motorized vehicles that utilize a 6-volt or 12-volt system.

Drdoo-levelKeeping up the energy during the long winter months is challenging but with Dr. Doo’s How-To tips to live the best Sea-Doo Life, your watercraft battery will receive a complete clean bill of health.

2016

DOCTOR DOO – Winter Storage, Old Man Winter Will Find Your Sea-Doo!!

04 Wednesday Jan 2012

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WHY WINTERIZE, WHY, WHY, WHY?

Should I winterize?

Do I NEED to winterize?

Well then, what IS winterizing?

Is a SNUGGIE, LL BEAN and a can of Sterno involved in any way?

If you live in the tropics as we do in sunny South Florida , you may think winterizing is just for our northern friends who make a snow shovel standard morning equipment. Nope, winterizing can easily apply to us all. Not necessarily for all of the same reasons though. This is why we like to call it winter “Storage” more than winterization.

Many of us hardcore riders will ride year round as long as our choice riding spot is still *liquid* and with the southern regions of North America feeling the first truly cold spell of the season, this is now very pertinent. So it’s really all about proper storage, and will vary depending on temperature exposure, weather, duration of storage, etc.

Many negative implications can result from improper storage, ranging from gummed-up fuel systems, prematurely failed batteries, rusted precious internal metals to actual broken engine cases, and other areas with cooling jackets. Instead of yet another article on “How to Winterize” this one is to warn you of the results of not taking storage seriously.

Take proper storage seriously and the cost of keeping your favorite Sea-Doo in top shape will be much lower. Going through the proper motions is also key to keeping our machines at peak performance. The kind of performance we have grown accustomed to from our friends at BRP! So to get down to the basics, if you are in an area that gets into the lower 30 degree range, full-on winterization is a must. Even down in the south we saw major problems last winter with expensive internal engine freezing issues that could have been avoided.

Some individuals are able to do this on their own, but if you are in any doubt get your watercraft or boat to an authorized BRP/Sea-Doo dealer ASAP! There you’ll find the right tools, technicians with knowledge and products that go into proper storage procedure and ensure it is performed correctly. Here you can be assured the right chemicals, the right tools and technicians armed with the latest tech updates from BRP engineering are utilized to ensure the best preventive maintenance is performed.

BRP offers premium storage lubricants in the XPS brand and additional maintenance items available at authorized BRP/Sea-Doo dealers

The owner’s manual touches on the big points of storage, but the large amount of batteries that we sell and the fuel systems that we clean show us that a little $$ spent now, on the right things, (Battery Tender or Fuel Stabilizer Stabilizer for example) sure can save you LOTS of the green stuff in your wallet, or maybe, just maybe, that next upgrade to your vessel that you’ve been wishing for!

Have a beautiful winter, and keep up with us at OnBoard

Long may you run, Dr. Doo

Glen Perry of Perry Performance Group provides this installment of Doctor Doo and is a fitting author as he has earned his PHD in Doo care as a 35+ year veteran of the powersports industry with the last 20 specializing in Sea-Doo product. Perry is also the creator of the popular Sea-Doo forum sea-doo.net