Reverse Polarity & Electrical Questions?

[kevtrane]

Hi All,<br /><br />Finally got to ride in my boat this weekend although my power tilt/trim still is not working, although I think I found a mechanic to work on it next week. Wife was thrilled just to putz around for an hour or two.<br /><br />My new question is this, the guy who worked on my boat this spring obviously was not as a good a mechanic as he made himself out to be (another whole story). When I picked up my boat on Saturday after a few minutes I realized that the gas gauge was not working although I know it worked when the boat came out. On closer in spection it appears that the needle deflects the wrong was when I turn the key, which makes me think it has reverse polarity.<br /><br />My question is this, since I don't think anyone touched the wiring on the gauge is it possible that Goober wired my batteries backwards? Would I be having other problems if that were the case, like the starter not working etc. Also I noticed that my big orange perko battery switch when in the OFF position still feeds power to my VHF radio and fishfinder is this normal?

 

[Ross J]

Re: Reverse Polarity & Electrical Questions?

An earth leak could cause those symptoms. If you're not to confident then have an aotu electrician take a quick check for you, it shouldn't cost much for a test.<br />If you feel confident then start with the battery and, with the switch you mention turned off, probe with a multi meter with the negative earthed. If you get a reading from the circuits then it would suggest theres either a short or a diode or some such thing has malfunctioned. I would suggest that if the battery were wired in reverse the machine wouldn't hav given you any power to start let alone run over the weekend.<br />Ross