positive side of battery gets hot when trying to start 85 hp force

[imported_fullforce]

hi guys , i have a 1987 force with an 85 hp outboard , it will start after a few tries (about 4 to 5 tries) im pressing the choke until my second try and not pressing choke after until it starts, after motor starts it runs great, im having trouble starting it cold or after running it for a while and turning it off. most of the time motor starts by pushing throttle wide open via remote box , as soon as it starts i let the throttle back to idle (neutral) position. i have noticed that positive side of battery post/cable gets unusually hot when im trying to start motor. battery and starter relay connections are clean and tight.
any help will be appreciated

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: positive side of battery gets hot when trying to start 85 hp force

I have seen this happen on batteries that have two small wingnuts on the posts. Most marine batteries have a small wingnut on the negative and a large wingnut on the positive. But a few battery manufacturers use small wingnuts on both.

The cable ends have a smaller eye for the negative than for the positive. This is to help prevent connecting the battery backwards. The problem results when the large end has far less contact area with the small wingnut. A lot of amps try to pass a small contact area and the connection gets hot. The easy solution is to put a washer under the wingnut of the appropriate size for the stud. Brass or copper would be best, but good luck finding one. Stainless is OK, regular galvanized will do in a pinch.

But the hard starting issue is probably separate. The choke solenoids on those are very touchy. They have to be adjusted just right or the plunger won't pull down. Sometimes they still don't even if the adjustment is just right. For those, I disengage the center carb's choke return spring to reduce the load. The other two springs will still pull all the choke butterflies open when the choke is released.

The choke butterflies all have to pull exactly the same. If one or two don't shut quite as far as the other(s), it's hard to start. They also have to come just shy of fully closing to keep them from sticking shut. A strip of paper must pull with a slight drag when placed between the choke butterflies and the throats of the carbs. You first set the carb that the choke rod is connected to by adjusting the choke solenoid depth. Then adjust the other two to match that one.

 

[noshelter]

Re: positive side of battery gets hot when trying to start 85 hp force

Damn, that's some great advice. I might take a look at that with mine. Similar issue with starting hot or cold. Takes longer than it should. I posted my problem on a separate post.




SSS

 

[imported_fullforce]

Re: positive side of battery gets hot when trying to start 85 hp force

thank you for the advice willybwright , sounds like i got me another project this wekend.