'08 36 PD. Recently had a battery die that isnt real old. Motor was being used off and on at high RPMs and the battery slowly lost juice with each start until it wouldnt turn over.

How do I establish if my engine is charging battery? Can I just test my battery leads with a voltmeter at high RPMs? If so, how should I set the voltmeter and what reading am I looking for?

Put a volt meter on the terminals. Put it on DC voltage. Have your friend rev the motor past 2500 rpms and see if the voltage goes up.

It should go to 14v or so.

Ok, so with a new battery it is reading 12.81V with the engine off. With it at 2800 RPMs it is reading 13.88V.

I guess that means I'm good and I just had a bad battery?

Is that enough charge to keep a battery up running nav lights and a Q-beam to and from hunting spot?

Yes if you keep your rpms up for the majority of the time.

If you do alot of ideling., use trim often, and engage /disengage clutch alot it will drain your battery. Like say a night of frogging. I would charge it before you go and when you get back. If you encounter the scenario above.

Thanks for the help MSM!