Starting/Battery Problems

DavidL

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I have a 1993 208 adventure with a 1993 150hp Yamaha. Purchased it last summer. Survey of boat and engine came back excellent. It has a two battery setup with a Guest switch. Put batteries in this spring and only used it to trim the engine down. Last week tried to get the motor started. I seemed to have power as the instruments came on but the motor did nothing when I tried to start it. I did have the kill switch in. Thought the batteries might be low so I charged them. Put them back in the boat and unfortunately crossed the poles and when I went to start it, it started a small fire and fried the battery and wire (I know, stupid me). So I bought a new battery and replaced the wire. Reinstalled the batteries and now I don't even get the instruments to come on.

My wiring goes from switch to starter motor positive, negative on starter has cable going to negative on aux. battery, the negative on starter also has another lug of two wires (assume its for the sump pump?), the aux. battery has another cable connected to the negative (where to I don't know, looks like to motor?) and the aux positive goes back to switch.

Trying to avoid having to take it in for service if it is something I am missing thats basic. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
 

HMBJack

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Yes, things like this have happened to me (not on my GW however).

But I would strongly suggest you take it to a professional and have them fix it right. The electrical system (wires, connections, gauges, engine components) must all be 100% perfect - especially on a single engine boat. This is further justified because you used the term "fried" in your post. Yikes...

Just my opinion. While it is being looked over and repaired, I would also suggest you have the pro's install a Blue Seas ACR and marine grade two battery, three stage, charger (Guest makes a good one) and keep iut plugged in 24x7 to keep your batteries 100%. Then buy a hydrometer and check the acid level and condition (w the hydrometer) every 90 days. This way, you should never have a surprise when you turn the key on your Grady. Good luck.
 

G8RDave

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Take it to the pros. It will be nearly impossible to trouble shoot that on a message board. There could be 100 things wrong. OK, maybe that's an exaggeration, but you get the idea.