We've got a 20' ocean boat w/ a 130 HP Mercury Engine 1989. Both boat batteries keep dying, but we were able to still use the boat engine in the harbor for a while so I don't think it's the Alternator. Any ideas?
2007-03-24 12:49:49 · 7 answers · asked by Drews 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
Have you checked the alternator? Either it's not quite putting out enough because you can run for a short time on a charge or your feedback wiring to the battery relay is not working or the relay is bad. Both batteries have to be charged and they have to have a relay to do that so start there after you check your alternator.
I forgot to mention checking for a dead short. Take the battery positive off and put a test light on it with the ground clap to the battery positive terminal and the pointy end to the battery positive clamp and see if the light stays on. IF so, start pulling fuze's till you find the problematic system.
2007-03-24 12:53:23 · answer #1 · answered by Kill_Me_Now! 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Check to see if your batteries are fat.
When left out in the cold during winter if they are a few years old they actually try to freeze. The acid over time vapors away leaving more water than acid and they try to freeze.At that point they become short lived . Check both ends and sides with your hand and if they feel bulged out they are no good.
2007-03-28 07:48:04 · answer #2 · answered by paultech6 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
install a perko switch, and if their is a short some wear fiend it. the alternator may have a bad diode in it, it can drain a battery just like a dead short. the alt need`s to be load tested.you can have that done at a auto part`s store.
2007-03-28 16:10:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
put an ammeter on the negative side and start disconnecting things 'til you figure it out. the cranking battery can run down in 6-8 mos. due to the rectifier. it draws a microscopic amount for heating.
2007-03-24 20:52:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The batteries could be dieing of old age,or they could have cancer or kidney failure or any other chronic illness. Take them to the battery Doctor.
2007-03-27 23:49:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you may have a short in your system, ie resistive leakage (slow).
2007-03-24 19:54:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
something is drawing juice you need to check for a short somewhere
2007-03-24 19:56:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋