Need help with wiring

D

dstn1010

Recruit
Joined
Feb 22, 2012
Messages
4
So I bought a 1974 gator with a 74 johnson that runs absolutely great. I left the battery hooked up to the engine over night and it was completely dead the next morning. I've only owned one other boat and never had any issues with this. I turned the key all the way off and checked my wires with a tester. All the hot wires are lighting up and still pulling power including the starter. Wasn't sure if that is normal or if there is something im missing. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Philster

Philster

Captain
Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
3,344
Re: Need help with wiring

Key-start boat? :confused:

(Do you turn a key to start it)?
 
Philster

Philster

Captain
Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
3,344
Re: Need help with wiring

Well, when you turn the key off, you are interrupting the electricity, so the engine cuts off, right? You said the boat runs great, so I assume you've run it and turned off the engine via the key.

However, it sounds like everything else is on a hot circuit straight from the battery or from a hot connection that runs to the battery from some other point. I am stating something obvious now.

Are there accessories that should be off when the key is off, but are still operable?
 
H

HCMQA

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 30, 2010
Messages
107
Re: Need help with wiring

dstn1010 said:
So I bought a 1974 gator with a 74 johnson that runs absolutely great. I left the battery hooked up to the engine over night and it was completely dead the next morning. I've only owned one other boat and never had any issues with this. I turned the key all the way off and checked my wires with a tester. All the hot wires are lighting up and still pulling power including the starter. Wasn't sure if that is normal or if there is something im missing. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Is it possible your testing method may be incorrect?

The starter should be hot all the time. It is only the start side of the solenoid that should not be hot because it is not being told by the key to engage.

I am with Philister. Something else is drawing power. Just because a line is hot does not mean it is "drawing" power.
For instance when I bought my boat the radio was wired wrong and you could leave it on and not know it and it could drain the battery overnight.
 
D

dstn1010

Recruit
Joined
Feb 22, 2012
Messages
4
Re: Need help with wiring

Well the only thing I have hooked to the battery are the cables running from the motor. The circuit board that's mounted above the power pack (not sure if its called a circuit board there) are also drawing power. After typing this ouy maybe my key isn't turning all the way off. Could be something wrong in the ignition switch.
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Need help with wiring

dstn1010 said:
After typing this ouy maybe my key isn't turning all the way off. Could be something wrong in the ignition switch.
Click to expand...

If that's the case, it's your choke solenoid draining it.
 
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