[ussrockford]

Since the "raised hatch" button is hard wired to one of the batteries, both batteries are dead, and the Perko switch is in the off position, how do I get access to the engine and batteries on my 1997 Z 255 Mariah?

[ttownmatt]

I don't know about your boat but on my Jubilee i can lift one coner and reach in and pull the pin out of the accuator.

[Oregondunes]

same with my Z

[jmeckles]

My actuator is in the center and I've been able to lift it in the center (veryyy difficult), wedge a short piece of wood to hold it up (I cut one just the right length) and then reached in and pulled the pin. You'll have to get a broomstick or something to hold it up while you replace the batteries. The hatch is really heavy!

After doing this a couple of times over the years I bought a marine trickle charger and installed it. You can pay as much as a couple of hundred or so, but I got one for about $60 at a boat shop that has worked great.

[Oregondunes]

my z302 has a pro charger and an extension cord connection on the swim step, so when not in use I can plug the boat in and keep the batteries in tip top shape

[Reed Hatch]

I have a 1996 Z252 with the double lift rams. I have tried to pull the seat forward with the hatch down and can't get it to go.The hatch doesn't want to lift by hand so I don't know how you get in. In Utah its a good idea to remove your batterys for winter so I took one out and wired a battery tender junior to keep the other battery charged. You can buy them off e-bay for $24.95 with free shipping. We use them on our snowmobile batteries off season and they work great.

[Reed Hatch]

I was just thinking, if you can get to the back of your duel battery switch you could jump it or charge the batteries from there. Just make sure you connect it correctly.

[jmeckles]

I couldn't reach it without pulling the pin to get more room to reach the battery. Once it's pulled and the hatch opened, it doesn't make much difference whether to try to charge it or pull the battery.

[Reed Hatch]

It can make a difference when its 30 below. I would rather remove the batterys and store them where its warmer, but leaving the one battery in(with the charge on it) gives me access to the engine area.Extream cold is tough on batteries. Like I said above with everything closed up you can power it up from the back side of the duel battery switch

[figaro]

maybe a little late here .. but how about trying a trickle charge through cigarette / accesory socket