motor "eats" marine batteries

[Kathiesboat]

Hello

This problem involves a 2006, 4-stroke, 90 Mercury outboard, on a 2006, 160BR Bayliner.

It has always run like a top.
Last July the battery was replaced. Afterwards, it did not start.

I accidentally "arcked" the battery - the cable are very short and not easily accessible when connecting the battery.
There was no obvious damage to the battery cables; only the battery was wrecked (obviously).
We checked all the fuses - at least the ones we could find in the motor.
We replaced the marine battery.

Overnight, hooked to the motor, the battery was tested and registered 9.5 volts - a significant drop overnight with nothing 'running' off it. Side note - the gas gauge no longer works.

We were advised to replace the voltage regulator (rectifier) which we did.

We took the boat/motor to a marina where they tested the alternator - the mechanic says the alternator and the rectifier are fine - the motor is delivering a charge to the battery.
The motor starts fine.
In addition to the gas gauge - the voltage gauge no longer works.
is it possible that there's a short somewhere in the electrical system?
The lights, horn and bilge pump work.

If anyone has any suggestions, we'd be happy to hear them
thanks so much,
Kathie

 

[Don S]

Re: motor "eats" marine batteries

You may very well have melted a couple wires together. Where is hard to say.
Turn everything on the boat off. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
Unplug the engine harness from the motor, then touch the negative cable back to battery terminal and see if it sparks.
If it doesn't, then the problem is in the wiring harness going to the help.
If it does spark, the problem is engine side.

It would be better to use an ammeter than the spark test. Do you know how to use one.

 

[Kathiesboat]

Re: motor "eats" marine batteries

Hello Don S.
thank you for your reply.
we can try the test you describe - not sure if my son has an ammeter. Might be able to borrow one.
thanks again! really hope to get this fixed before summer's over here in Ontario.
Kathie

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: motor "eats" marine batteries

http://forums.iboats.com/electrical...how-tos-other-helpful-information-583533.html

link showing how to use a amp meter to find whats drawing the battery down

also make a list of all the electical items that are no longer working and we will try to help you find the problem (the generic wiring diagram may help you also as it shows how the gauges are connected)

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: motor "eats" marine batteries

I don't mean to be funny; but the question was do you know how to USE an Amp meter.
Having one, and using one, are a world apart.

Messing up with a voltmeter is a harmless event 99.9% of the time.
Once you move the Red lead into the jack for the amp measurement, careful understanding is required.
Touching the leads to the battery terminals like you have done 100 time before, has the capability of doing major damage to the equipment and you.
If you are lucky you will only blow a fuse, if not the meter could turn into a smoking fireball before you could blink, worst case.

If the though of using an Amp Meter doesn't get you excited, you don't understand the operation.