Power issues after new batteries installed

[Snaspen101]

1989 four winns vista 245 I just replaced both batteries and now I have no power outside of the engine bay. Wait gets better, in the berth power panel, multimeter shows 24v. I have a 12v system and batteries are not in series. I have a 2 way battery switch. Now please help me explain 1) why there is no power beyond the engine bay, 2) why there is 24v showing, 3) how on earth with the batteries disconnected and no shore power connected am I still showing 24v at the power panel? Where is the power coming from and how is it 24v?

 

[Bt Doctur]

gauge is stuck in that position?

 

[alldodge]

It was working fine and now its not, so something was not put back together the same way. We cannot see how its wired without pics, and even then it will be hard to do. Look for a hot or ground not reconnected

 

[Snaspen101]

gauge is stuck in that position?

No, no power to the gauge, that was off of a multimeter, from the control panel. 12v on batteries, but 24v at the panel. Yet no power anywhere but at the engine. No ignition power, cluster , or anything. I'm completely stumped

 

[Snaspen101]

It was working fine and now its not, so something was not put back together the same way. We cannot see how its wired without pics, and even then it will be hard to do. Look for a hot or ground not reconnected

I've check and have not found anything yet, still trying to figure out why I'm getting a 24v reading with absolutely no power connection?

 

[alldodge]

No, no power to the gauge, that was off of a multimeter, from the control panel. 12v on batteries, but 24v at the panel. Yet no power anywhere but at the engine. No ignition power, cluster , or anything. I'm completely stumped

Reading 24V at the panel means the Bats are wired in series, that's the only way you get 24V

 

[Snaspen101]

 

[Snaspen101]

The last picture with the meter, is with no power connection. Yet still getting power from something, and more then I should have

 

[alldodge]

The meter shows 19mV

 

[Snaspen101]

The meter shows 19mV

I had it on wrong settings, but regardless, where would the power be coming from?

 

[alldodge]

The meter was on auto range so it read millionths 0.00019V which can get that from a floating ground. With Bats disconnected a meter will do that

Now if your saying your getting actual volts with the Bats disconnected, then I'll ask does it have shore power connection, and is it turned on?

 

[Snaspen101]

Yes it has shore power but it's disconnected, and the a/c panel is off.

 

[alldodge]

Start from scratch
Connect Bats, turn Bat switch on 1 or 2

Measure at starter post
Measure at panel

If either does not have power, measure at Bat switch, then at end of each cable until you find where power is lost.

 

[Snaspen101]

That is what I'm going to do, I will get back with an update

 

[Snaspen101]

Still no luck yet, can't seem to figure out why I have no power past the engine bay. She cranked prior to changing the batteries. And that is all I did was put new ones in and now I have no power to the ignition or anything but the engine bay.

 

[alldodge]

Well We should have asked what motor are we working on?
And where do you stop seeing power?

This is how your motor should be wired:
Bat switch to starter post
Starter post Red to one side 50 Amp Breaker
Other side of 50 Amp breaker Red/Purple to Pin 6 of 10 pin motor connector
Other side pin 6 of 10 pin connector Red/Purple to 20 amp fuse under helm
Other side of 20 amp fuse Red/Purple to key switch
Key switch Ignition Purple to one side of kill switch
Other side of kill switch to all gauges and back to pin 5 of 10 pin connector
Other side of pin 5 of 10 pin connector to coil

 

[Snaspen101]

I found the problem. And feel like a moron, but it was the 50amp fuse in between the starting solenoid and the alternator, problem solved. I don't know why I never thought of that to begin with

 

[alldodge]

Good deal

 

[poconojoe]

Awesome!
Now go boating and enjoy yourself!