Hot battery terminals....

patronman1

Recruit
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Messages
4
just hooked a new battery to a 69 Johnson. Turned the key an motor spins ok, but i noticed smoke coming from the battery terminals. i only tried 3 or 4 clicks of the key. the motor would not start, i was going to unhook the terminals before it caused any damage and it put blisters on my fingers, what would cause this?
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: Hot battery terminals....

Loose or tight but dirty connections, internally corroded cables, etc. Remove, clean thoroughly and tighten all connection using pliers or a wrench, not fingers if wing nuts are being used.
 

archcycle

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 21, 2009
Messages
647
Re: Hot battery terminals....

Could be a faulty component drawing current nonstop and heating up the poles. A few years ago I had battery a pole melt down through the battery housing after burning me (wing nut, no pliers, see Joe's comment on this :)) thanks to a bad key switch. After you remove, clean, and properly tighten all of those connections then keep an eye on it the next few times out and in varying circumstances if you have any doubt that it was caused by the quality of the connections.
 
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