If I install a bluesea "add a battery" switch and automatic charging relay with a starting battery and a deep cycle house battery will it void my new Mercury Warranty? I'm getting conflicting messages. What's been your experience with these switches??
There is a lot more to all engines today than there used to be. One of the biggies happens to be all that neat electrical stuff (e.g. those microprocessors and computers). You need to read the actual warranty documentation that came with the engine along with the Bluesea warranty to see what both do and do not cover! The reason you need to read the actual warranty is manufacturers change their warranties from time to time, to include what might VOID. Something might VOID today, might not last year. If nothing specifically says it will void the warranty, it still “may” limit or affect the warranty. If the part added or modified was found to be the cause of the damage/failure it will possibly VOID part or all the warranty. If you install a battery (or anything else) Mercury “specifically” states will void the warranty – they will not pay. All those “can,” “could”, “may” are exactly that if the part or modification was the reason for the damage/failure Mercury may decline warranty coverage. Even if the warranty coverage is declined, it doesn’t mean they won’t still pay part and/or all, under what is called “goodwill” program and policy!
Mercury warranty covers “Mercury” and authorized parts – only. Adding a battery stay within Mercury’s minimum requirements – that is way Mercury has those requirements, if not it the battery “could” limit part of the warranty coverage (e.g. starter burns out due using a battery below minimum voltage).
You will continue to get conflicting messages and until time the claim is submitted and then a determination of what “actually” caused the damage/failure will be established. If, the cause of damage/failure was found to be the “Bluesea” then Mercury will probably decline and you would have to use whatever warranty came from Bluesea. Simply put, and you will find this stated from Mercury, “The warranty does not apply to damage or failures caused by use of an accessory or part not manufactured or sold by us.”
Is it possible a Bluesea could fail creating damage/failure to you engine, resulting Mercury declining warranty coverage – yes. Probable that it would, IMHO – No. But it still is possible since it is dealing with voltages! A good example is if you where to hook your batteries up wrong shooting 24 volts into your 12 volt system, frying your 12 volt engine components or buring up your engine starter out – good luck on that, as you will find Mercury will NOT pay.
Another example not applying to boats that most don’t realize is if you buy and install a “lift kit” on your new truck. Might really look good; however, that structural modification comes with some ramifications. Most don’t realize there is some fine print that really needs read! If a “lifted truck” come in for any warranty claims, the first thing looked at is did the lift kit or any modification installing that kit create the damage/failure, if so warranty VOID. What many don’t realize is the liability associated with those lift kits. That fine print not only addresses the warranty, it removes ALL manufacturer liability. If someone goes out and is involved in an accident (or roll it over) the liability for that structural change goes directly to the company that installed the lift kit and “YOU” so no documentation from the lift company, get out you checkbook as you are personally responsible!