HELP Please! All Engine Electrical Gone

[Chris]

I've seen this happen with batteries- they'll get an internal short and you're done. And when yopu hook jumpers to them, you can smoke the cables and the other vehicle you're using to jump. That would apply to a second battery. Have each battery checked independently.

I would also question the switch. I always assume the worst when it comes to unknown workmanship. And I'd be very suspicious why the boat only had one battery.

 

[Chris]

Sounds like you reversed batt. that blows fuse instantly and would also melt post. Never trust color of cables in a used boat, alot of dumb people get in bilges over the years and dont understand color codes.

Another strong possibility.

 

[Chris]

Lastly, dump the deep cycle. They're not worth a $hit for starting. And there will definitely be lots of times you need the juice of two good batts.

If you need raft-up power for lights, stereo, etc, you need a third D/C on an isolator.

 

[rchevelle71]

I would replace the switch, and double check the wiring to the batteries, the switch wiring is so simple if it works off one, it will work off two, so long as the switch is good, and wired corectly.

 

[PARADOX]

Couple things from my painfull days.

If the starter is old or have some corrosion etc. it will draw a lot of amps and will heat/melt terminals and wires. I would take it off and have it tested. Then Like Sean said, GROUND wires.

 

[TMS1155]

Bad starter wouldnt blow that fuse. Switch being bad wouldnt cause this either because there is no ground cables to switch. Switch wireing is very simple. Pos from one batt to #1, Pos from other batt to #2 common to starter. Make sure all terminals are clean and tight and check both bats. before putting them back. Try them one at a time. If term on batt. is melted you should replace that batt. anyway.

 

[Geronimo36]

Bad starter wouldnt blow that fuse.

It can, i've seen it.

 

[TMS1155]

It can, i've seen it.

I stand corrected.

 

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

The only thing I will add is a easy first step in trouble shooting low voltage is to feel the connections from the battery to the starter. The hot spot is the first place to address. It can be tight and hot. Resistance makes heat as does a loose connection.

 

[Ratickle]

The only thing I will add is a easy first step in trouble shooting low voltage is to feel the connections from the battery to the starter. The hot spot is the first place to address. It can be tight and hot. Resistance makes heat as does a loose connection.

Burned the crap out of myself doing that before.....:ack2:

 

[RLJ676]

Hope it all works out for you pm me your number and I can walk you through the battery switch wiring

Thanks for the offer! I think that the switch works but I'm having the valve springs done so I'm gonna have them take a look to.

I've seen this happen with batteries- they'll get an internal short and you're done. And when yopu hook jumpers to them, you can smoke the cables and the other vehicle you're using to jump. That would apply to a second battery. Have each battery checked independently.

I would also question the switch. I always assume the worst when it comes to unknown workmanship. And I'd be very suspicious why the boat only had one battery.

It was a repo.....so I believe it had no prop or battery when the dealer I bought it from picked it up.

Couple things from my painfull days.

If the starter is old or have some corrosion etc. it will draw a lot of amps and will heat/melt terminals and wires. I would take it off and have it tested. Then Like Sean said, GROUND wires.

I lost power before trying to crank it.......so I think the starter wasn't the deal.


In retrospect, I'm just thinking more and more I screwed this up in my excitement to get out on the water. Despite having hooked up plenty of batteries and not being retarded (I think anyways, and hell I have a damn engr degree that taught me more electrical crap than I should have ever learned) I'm guessing I just did it wrong. I hope that's it anyways and there isn't an underlying issue. If there is, I have a good start here on advice to look through.:USA:

 

[showtime83]

i wonder why there is only one battery from when you bought the boat, something is wrong with the wiring, or it was just backwards?

 

[RLJ676]

i wonder why there is only one battery from when you bought the boat, something is wrong with the wiring, or it was just backwards?

As I mentioned above, it was a repo a dealer bought at auction. It had no prop, and I'd bet no battery at all. The dealer probably just added one.

I don't think it was wired backwards.....as the neg is just a jumper to the other battery. I'm pretty sure I just bone-jobbed it.:leaving: