Batteries not charging....where to start?

[nivram]

I have a '84 140hp Evinrude. Everytime i run the boat i have to use my charge to start the motor. I know my motor has a charging system however i am use to working on cars and not boats. Where do i start my trouble shooting?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Marvin<br /><br />www.speedjunkie.org/boat

 

[zj-jeepster]

Re: Batteries not charging....where to start?

nivram,<br />checked out your site, nice boat. if you had to clean it then it might have sat for a while. make sure the battery itself is good. for a while I had to always use a little jumper to help start my 85HP Rude. all that time I thought something was draining my battery. turns out to be an old starter motor that wasn't doing its job any more. do a search on "dragging starter motor" and check out the answers. I replaced the starter motor and all is well. 2 strokes need to spin up to a minimum of 300 rpm's to start. that's 5 rotations a SECOND. hope this help yyou get started.

 

[Sal G]

Re: Batteries not charging....where to start?

Check out all connections and make sure they are tight and corrosion free. See if you are getting a charge back to your battery when engine is running.<br />These readings won't bounce back at you like when you read it from a car engine, Therefore it is important to use a very sensitive voltmeter.<br />Your charging system is a alternator/rectifier<br />combo (I have a 140 85'VRO and replaced mine)<br />thats located under the flywheel (at least mine does). There should be just inough clearance to overhaul. One telltale sign that your charging system is on the fritz is if your tach is operating on an on/off basis. This part ran me under $100<br />Hope I was able to help.

 

[Sal G]

Re: Batteries not charging....where to start?

Check out all connections and make sure they are tight and corrosion free. See if you are getting a charge back to your battery when engine is running.<br />These readings won't bounce back at you like when you read it from a car engine, Therefore it is important to use a very sensitive voltmeter.<br />Your charging system is a alternator/rectifier<br />combo (I have a 140 85'VRO and replaced mine)<br />thats located under the flywheel (at least mine does). There should be just inough clearance to overhaul. One telltale sign that your charging system is on the fritz is if your tach is operating on an on/off basis. This part ran me under $100<br />Hope I was able to help.

 

[nivram]

Re: Batteries not charging....where to start?

Thanks for the tips. I will double check the connectors. The battery is/was brand new. I know its good b/c the boat would crank fine until a few weeks later. My tach is fine so i will check for voltage to the battery.<br /><br />I check for this charge at the gizmo under the fly wheel correct? Anyone have a picture? My manual sucks. I wonder if the OEM manuals are worth the extra $$$.<br /><br />BTW the boat sat for 5+ years.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Batteries not charging....where to start?

Hey nivram....<br /><br />Just a silly sounding question here, is the Tachometer working OK?

 

[nimmor]

Re: Batteries not charging....where to start?

Is the belt from the flywheel to the alternator still there? Just like on a car if you loose this belt it won't charge.

 

[nivram]

Re: Batteries not charging....where to start?

Yes the tach is working. It looks to be fairly accurate.<br /><br />I will have to check for a belt. I didnt think outboards had alternators with belts. I didn't see anything like this in my manual.<br /><br />BTW...something was wrong with my starter. I believe the binder went bad and maybe the bushings.<br /><br />Thanks for all your help and sugestions.

 

[DJ]

Re: Batteries not charging....where to start?

nivram,<br /><br />Did you get you bottom carb. issue fixed?<br /><br />I had a similar problem on my '82' 90 hp. The plastic fittings leaked.<br /><br />I drilled them out and threaded the hole with a tap. I then installed 90 degree brass elbows, I believe they were 3/8"<br /><br />Including the tap, the whole thing cost less than $10 bucks.

 

[nivram]

Re: Batteries not charging....where to start?

Yes, i did exactly what you just described. The only thing is that gas leaks out the carbs when i prime the engine or leave the gas line hooked up after running it. Can the floats be adjusted on these carbs?