Reversed Battery charger ?

[Mikevn1500]

I just picked up a nice 23' Celebrity 5.7l.Saturday I decided to swap in my batteries from my old boat. No problem,I sorted out all the differant wire connections and had everything except the horn working.Sunday I decided to hook up the onboard charger. The previous owner had all the wires marked with (Red +) (Green -) tape. Well they were wrong. Now all my gauges are pegging out,no blower,no pump, and no lights. The motor is a Mercruiser 260hp. Can someone point me in the right direction on what the cure for my dumb mistake may be?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Reversed Battery charger ?

First off disconnect the charger and leave it unhooked until you sort out the problems. You may have shorted the batteries out. I would put the old ones back in and see what happens. If that straightens things out, then have your other batteries tested. If there is still<br />problems post back and let us know.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Reversed Battery charger ?

The main +12V buss fuse is blown. That line feeds the fuse/breaker panel. Blow it and everything dies. The fuse should be located very close to the battery. The wire is typically red and 10 gauge or larger. So how many wires come off the on-board charger, what color are they and how many batteries are we talking about, and are you using a battery switch?

 

[rattana]

Re: Reversed Battery charger ?

Disconnect the batteries and totally discharge them with a 12V trouble light or something similar. Then charge them up with the right polarity. You might save them.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Reversed Battery charger ?

One last thing is the alternator on the engine.<br /><br />They contain 6 diodes, 3 to the load (battery + term) and 3 to ground (chassis). The ones to ground absolutely will not tolerate reverse voltage....no current limit, current goes to infinity (theoretically)and the junctions melt, thus shorting. Hook this to a good electrcal system and you will have the potential for hot wires and dead batteries for sure.<br /><br />So, before you connect your batteries in, take a few minutes and take your alternator to Auto Zone (I know of) and have it checked. That little bit of trouble could save you mucho trouble troubleshooting and more potential damage to your rig.<br /><br />Mark

 

[BillP]

Re: Reversed Battery charger ?

Reverse them on an outboard and it zaps the rectifier asap. I wish I didn't know that but I do. That's what I get for being red and green color blind. Old faded cables are a bitxh to tell + from - !

 

[Mikevn1500]

Re: Reversed Battery charger ?

First off thanks for your replies..I load tested the batteries today. They check out ok as far as volts and the load test+charged up. Could it still be a polarity issue? The charger has red& black,and white& black. I hooked red + on bat#1 black -,now on bat#2 white+ black -. The gauges,lights,blower all worked fine untill i turned on the charger. I do have a battery switch,had it set on #1. Now all the gauges peg out in the wrong direction when I hit the key! No blower,lights nothing. The trim however still works, and the motor will crank( I wont let it run early March in PA ya know). I will check for fuses and burnt/bad wires first chance i get.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Reversed Battery charger ?

What happens with the battery switch in the #2 or BOTH position?? Is everything working ok (charger off)?<br /><br />If so......<br /><br />Is it a 12 volt charger??<br /><br />If so......<br /><br />The battery charger may be over charging, or faulty. With the battery switch OFF, charger OFF, check battery voltage (at the batteries) with a hand held voltmeter. Now with battery switch OFF, and battery charger ON, check voltage at batteries again. Voltage should not be over 15 volts, 14 to 14.5 is actually more in range.

 

[Mikevn1500]

Re: Reversed Battery charger ?

I brought the load tester home with me tonight it has a voltmeter and I will check out the situation in AM. I doubt an overcharge problem,charger was on only about 2 mins. Faulty, it does look old. Thats what I'm leaning toward anyhow. I think the wires were right,but something out of wack inside the charger. But Im more worried about the gauges pegging out in the wrong direction.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Reversed Battery charger ?

Gauges pegging in the wrong direction indicates reversed polarity. While you may have smoked the rectifier/regulator that should not affect the gauges. Check the wiring to the battery switch. You can verify polarity by placing the POS test probe on the COM terminal on the battery switch and the NEG probe on ground. With the charger disconnected and switch OFF there should be no voltage at the COM terminal. If there is, you have a wiring problem or a bad switch. If ok at this point Switch to BAT #1. You should read battery #1 voltage. If the meter pegs backwards, that battery wiring is reversed. Repeat the process for BAT#2. Then while disconnected, turn on the charger and measure the output of each leg while observing polarity. This proves two things; 1) the charger is or is not operating and 2) polarity.

 

[Mikevn1500]

Re: Reversed Battery charger ?

Thanks for all your help and suggestions so far. I'm going to take off Alt. and have it tested. The weather has me jammed up right now 70deg on monday and 35deg today.

 

[Mikevn1500]

Re: Reversed Battery charger ?

Fixed (almost) Everything checked out ok. What I did was while taking off the Alt to have it checked, I got to fooling around with the circut breaker located on the motor. I was pushing it and noticed no movement. I pulled it out with my fingers about an 1/8", about the same time I noticed the main wire harness boot had a hose clamp wrapped around it I decided to pull it off to check condition of the contacts. I couldn't move it because of the clamp so I figured I would check it another time. I pushed it in just incase I had moved it a little, It pushed in a good 1/4". Checked gauges everything works as advertized. New circut breaker,a little housekeeping on my Harness should be ready. Learned alot about this boat in the last week or so..

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Reversed Battery charger ?

ahhhhhh another happy boater.