Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

[imstillatwork]

1981 evinrude 70:<br />With the key out, and I go to hook up the battery up, it sparks a bit. This can only mean that the curcuit is closed somewhere. Any classic trouble spots that I should check first before I start testing every single line for voltage?<br /><br />thanks!!

 

[Boatist]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

It deepends on what you have on your boat but on most boat it is normal. Thing like radios, VHF, GPS are not normally wired thru the key switch. Some of these iteams will have a circuit that is always on even with the key off and unit off. An example would be a AM/FM radio, the radio will have a memory circuit to save your stations you have programed, It may also have a clock built in that needs some power to keep correct time. When you first touch the battery terminal you may get a small spark. Some unit will have some capacitor that charge when power is applied and this can make it spark. These types if you take the cable back off and then touch again will not spark as much or maybe not at all on the second touch. You can hook up a AMP meter is sieries if you want to meassure it. Should be in Low mili amps.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

Most motors with voltage regulators do that. It's just one small spark. Basically it's the VR setting itself.

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

I'll double check this weekend. <br /><br />There is NOTHING wired except the motor.<br /><br />The thing is, the boat sat for a YEAR and the battery cranked tha motor first time, no hesitation after i preped the motor.<br /><br />Then it died overnight last week. That, and the sparkig showed up, indicating that there is curent flowing somewhere, draining the battery. wondering what could have happend during the tune up...<br />odd.. thanks. I'lll keep checking it out.

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

forgot:<br /><br />the + side will heat up during cranking and smoke a bit... that could be sepereat issue of corrosion, as the wires look a little old. <br /><br />BUT: it did not do anything like this until the battery went dead, sparks, etc

 

[fireman57]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

I would suspect my ignition switch. I would also replace the wiring if it is brittle and looks "a little old".

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

thanks - I'm going to give it a full going over. Just had to check if there was anything obvious that a new boater would miss.<br /><br />thank!

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

Just bad connections and/or dirty/corroded connections can contribute to this too. I would check all ignition connections and battery connections, and take 'em loose and clean 'em. Good luck.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

I agree a bad connection can cause big problems. Could cause it to smoke during cranking but also can cause the alternator not to charge the battery. As Biloxi said check the ignition switch. I left mine on one time after starting the motor and warming up before the first trip of the spring. Drove about 1 hour and battery rundown so much I had to use the other battery to start motor. Make sure you have no curtesy light on or running lights. Also make sure the bilge pump float switch is down and does not have something under it turning on the bilge pump.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

You said nothing was connected but the motor, if that includes the tilt/trim don't forget about that circuit.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

When you touch the positive cable and get your spark, does the choke activate?

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

no tilt/trim<br /><br />I need to pull the control box and clean it up. I'll check the ignition switch then.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

When you touch the positive cable and get your spark, does the choke activate?

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

I am almost 100% sure NO. I will double check saturday though. I had the engine cover off last time , and did not here it. The chokes still work with the key too. I haven't had a chance to look at anything yet, the battery is disconnected now so its safe at least.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

You got sompin shorted, touching the battery posts with the proper cables difinately should not create a spark. You need to start unhooking wires one at a time till you isolate the short. I like to start with the other end of the battery cable and work thru the diferent systems, using the wiring diagram, till I have it isolated. Should be simple with just a motor hooked up. Short is either in the cable, key circuit, t/t, or under the hood. Chief

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

thanks!<br /><br />I haven't got a chance to check it all yet, but on a good note, the charging system puts out plenty of voltage above idle.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

Check the battery charger ckt. Disconnect the alternator leads from the black molded rectifier. see if that stops the sparking. Let us know.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

Check the battery charger ckt. Disconnect the alternator leads from the black molded rectifier. see if that stops the sparking. Let us know. A ha ha, did you leave any lights on? Check

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: Battery sparks with key off when I hook up cables.

Motor only, no lights or anything else. And I checked! Thanks, I'll add that to the list of checks.