don't be me and be this stupid

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Guys,
I think I know why my trim tabs were acting up. I wired battery 2 in series with battery 1. I typically run my battery 1 while boating. I was cleaning my boat after my Florida trip. I wanted to hear tunes so I decided to run my audio off battery 2 which is an AGM. I turned the switch to battery 2 from the off position and in like 2 seconds the battery cables were smoldering and melting the jacket. My trim tab hydraulic lines burst as they were touching the now super hot battery cables and they spilled ATF fluid onto the cables. They smoked badly but did not ignite. I tried to get the switch to off but it was gone. I disconnected the common lead to both batteries. I nearly burnt my boat down. This took place in a matter of a minute no more than 2.

I replaced the switch and cables. I need to clean the bilge of the ATF fluid and I need to disconnect the trim tabs from the electrical system until I replace the hydraulic lines. Since everything was off I am hoping no damage to electronics or motor. I investigated all fuses and they are good. No other wires are melted. By connecting the battery in series when I switched it to battery two I completed a circuit turning the battery cables into electric heat elements. I have changed batteries in this boat and others and my cars and lawn mowers and never have I made such a careless and stupid mistake. Don't be me. Double check to make sure when installing a new battery in your bank that the only common lead among your batteries is the ground. I got very lucky that I did not do more damage or lose the boat to fire.

 

[Doc Stressor]

Didn't your Daddy teach you not to do that? :roll:

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Doc, my dad was an electronics weapons officer in the Navy, a ham radio operator for over 60 years and worked in the civilian electronics world for 30 plus years. So, yes , he actually did teach me not to do this. I made a Tesla coil for high school physics project out of some wire and a glass 32 ounce ginger ale bottle. I was installing the new battery last Thursday at my brother's house in Titusville. We were talking and I was distracted or it was the crystal meth, I don't know, but I am damn lucky I did not switch this to both while 40 miles off Port Canaveral. Otherwise, I would have had to use my epirb and 5 watt hand held VHF to get help. I will post a follow up and hopefully I will report everything else is fine.

 

[journeyman]

and a glass 32 ounce ginger ale bottle.

Hey I remember those! I guess that makes us OLD!!! :lol:

Hope all turns out ok with your boat.

 

[Halfhitch]

Now we all know how to build the mother of all load testers. :<>< Just poking a little fun at ya. :sorry
Now me, myself of course, have never made a mistake.

 

[Ky Grady]

Hmmm, seems I've heard this story before. Hope all goes well on the rewire!! :hmm

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Hi Guys:
Some of your comments are darn funny. This has been one of my biggest bone headed mistakes ever.

So, with that being said, the motor is fine. I blew the 100 AMP main fuse. Replaced it and all seems normal. My GPS and radar are fine. All lights and pumps work as they should. I think I blew an inline fuse to my Icom 540 and my Alpine Marine audio system. The heat melted the hydraulic lines to the trim tabs.

I am thankful engineers protect their motor from idiots like me.

 

[Fishtales]

Thanks for being honest and sharing. That is crazy. Glad you figured it out.

 

[Meanwhile]

You are brave to tell the story online. Thanks for sharing so others can learn.

Randy

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Follow up. Ran the boat today . Motor is fine. Tracked down some other fuse issues. VHF is back on, my Alpine stereo is still MIA and my Garmin 4208 works but the GPS section is intermittent. The radar and sonar work fine. Been wanting a new MFD anyway..;-) .

I just put the inboard battery in the wrong way. It is sort of easy to do and I was talking with my brother. When it comes to boating , we have to pay attention to navigation, other boats around us and doing electrical work. I shared here because most folks are good people .

I can take ribbing that I clearly earned and got lucky , real lucky that I did not burn my boat up. My daughter said to me today she was thankful it did not happen offshore. I am too.