Battery booster question

7

79project

Cadet
Joined
Jul 25, 2011
Messages
6
I have a 1978 1400 I just bought, sn 5092xxx. The batteries are shot, when testing the boat, the seller used a portable booster. I bought one of these to start with figuring i d charge or replace batteries in near future. Using new booster I get nothing but dashboard lights, no cranks, no starter click, dead silence. The booster states 12 v 500 peak amps, 182 A at 5 seconds jump starting. My debate is that the booster is just too weak for the motor or I have to start from scratch on the figuring out ignition problem. I just don t want to start a wild goose chase if it s just a battery problem.
Thanks
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
15,025
Re: Battery booster question

Yes. That engine will ruin 200 amps starting. My 3 cyl 90 of later vintage is spec'd in the manual at 150 nominal. Boosters that non professional folks buy (are available for us to purchase normally) are just not up to that kind of current for any length of time. Also a shot/bad battery is sucking on the power source also so you are just shooting yourself in the foot.

HTH,

Mark
 
Alumarine

Alumarine

Captain
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
3,763
Re: Battery booster question

I have a small booster like yours that works very well as long as it's just a drained battery.
I've boosted v8's with no problem.

Like Mark says though, a bad battery or starter might be too much for a small booster.
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
15,025
Re: Battery booster question

marc c said:
I have a small booster like yours that works very well as long as it's just a drained battery.
I've boosted v8's with no problem.

Like Mark says though, a bad battery or starter might be too much for a small booster.
Click to expand...

I had the Schumacher 50 amp booster for starting. I know it's not 200, but it was for smaller engines and yea verily you got your 50 amps, but don't blink cause when you open your eyes your 50 amps was gone.

HTH,

Mark
 
C

Coloradolakeboy

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 21, 2010
Messages
197
Re: Battery booster question

Don't forget to clean your battery connections and make sure they are tight, don't use wing nuts! An O.K. battery sometimes won't start the motor with dirty/loose connections
 
Alumarine

Alumarine

Captain
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
3,763
Re: Battery booster question

I guess mines a bit bigger, 450a with 900 peak amps although it's not very big.
It cranked a V4 Johnson for 45 minutes (off and on) while we tried to get all the water out of it.
That included running the power tilt up and down about 20 times as well.
 
7

79project

Cadet
Joined
Jul 25, 2011
Messages
6
Re: Battery booster question

I'm still waiting on my new manual, feel like a kid waiting on the mailman. If i want to replace the battery, what size would be good for the 1400?
And thanks for all of the help!!
 
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