battery keeps dying

[sbeausol]

After getting a new 5.0fi motor in my Four Winns, i've noticed that my cranking battery keeps dying if left switched on. I currently have my house and cranking batteries separate, and i find that if i keep my switch on overnight, the cranking battery dies, forcing me to use my house battery to start. Eventually the cranking battery recharges and is fine. Any ideas what could be drawing from the cranking battery if the starter is the only thing connected to it?

Thanks for any input

 

[tommays]

Re: battery keeps dying

If it is wired with a normal merc harness the cranking battery will power everything on the dash ,guages ect


You will need to use a meter between the pos cable and battery post with the motor OFF and see if your getting a 12 volt draw


If you are getting voltage you have to start removing wires to find the offender ,The alt can have a bad diode and drain the battery

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: battery keeps dying

Digital radios anything with a digital memory.The mercathode system might be drawing.Some depthfinders can do it too.Jerry

 

[Uraijit]

Re: battery keeps dying

Had a similar problem, and it turned out to be the voltage regulator on my alternator. Something to check.

 

[Bondo]

Re: battery keeps dying

You will need to use a meter between the pos cable and battery post with the motor OFF and see if your getting a 12 volt draw

Ayuh,....

You can do the same thing with a simple Testlight,...
If there's a draw,... There's Light....
No draw,.... No Light....

 

[sbeausol]

Re: battery keeps dying

I believe it shouldn't be anything like the radio or fishfinder since i have those items powered off of a separate house battery, which has yet to die. The only thing running off the cranking battery is the starter.... very confused

 

[Bondo]

Re: battery keeps dying

Ayuh,....

Tommays explained that More than Just the starter is powered by the connection,.....

You've been told how to see what the Problem is,....

If you can't, or Won't bother to Look,.....

Just How are any of Us supposed to Help you,..??..??..??

There's Nothing Confusing about it....

 

[Wotknot]

Re: battery keeps dying

As stated earlier, you may have a leaking diode in the alternator that's draining the battery. Easy way to check is charge your battery up, disconnect the plug from the back of the alternator for a day or so. If it stays charged.....you've found your problem.......and if it still drains then it's time to start chasing down wires with a test lite and/or a dvm.

 

[sbeausol]

Re: battery keeps dying

alright guys thanks for the input. I have a few good places to start which i appreciate!