Having a very strange problem with the batteries, at least it appears that is what is the cause is. 3-Deka 800 Amp batteries, one 2 yrs. old and two, three years old. Motors are the Yam OX66 225 . Started perfect three weeks ago but did not start yesterday. Batteries all read 12. 9 V. Saw a major voltage drop up under the console where the power came in, 6V. Cleaned all the terminals and went to 12.9V. Boat when turning the keys on acts like all is fine but when the the key is turned to start it, you only hear the starter on the engine being stared running, but very weakly and not engaging. Suspecting one of the battery switches may be bad, maybe the charger went bad and fried something. Any ideas. Never knew that so many weird noises could come from the Yam. control panel. Steve
Weird problem batteries 98 Sailfish
- Thread starter steveg
- Start date
If you had removed or disconnected the batteries recently, check that the large gauge battery cable(s) that connect the negative terminal of all the batteries are properly connected. I don't suspect a bad starter just a bad connection. You also may need to check the connection of the battery cables to the lug. To do so, you will probably have to cut the shrink wrap insulation. Look for looseness or corrosion.
And finally, check the battery cable connections on the motor. Corrosion is common on that end too.
And finally, check the battery cable connections on the motor. Corrosion is common on that end too.
Thanks for the reply. Did a quick job with a file on the connections but will use a dremel to really remove the corrosion. I do suspect it is the ground wire going to something. First have to remove all the batteries and check them disconnected, clean all terminals and reinstall. Total pain, but, long overdue maintenance.
Just an update, batteries all at 13V. Dremeled all of the battery cables, etc. No change. Other problems, the stereo and the VHF have noise coming out of them when not even turned on. I am somewhat confident the boat took a large voltage spike which has really messed up the boat's electronics. I have the GW dealer coming to fix it, I hope. My gut feeling is that a ground wire burned up somewhere on the boat but have not had time to follow up again on this. A real nightmare. Have had boats since 1975, second GW and never experienced this. Any other suggestions, no matter how crazy would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
PS. the battery charger was on the whole time and still works.
PS. the battery charger was on the whole time and still works.
Check the battery voltage when trimming the engine at the battery Terminal then again at the engine solenoid. This will give some clues.
An Update! All 3 batteries were bad. Had to pull them all out and take them to all battery store (Pasco in Salibury MD). All reading 12.7-12.9 volts and all reading less than 30 amps under load. Thanks again for the replies.
I hope that was it but I have some doubts. I don't see how three batteries, relatively new could go bad at the same time. I would still look towards a problem with the charger. It may have cooked the batteries.
SkunkBoat
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efx
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I have a 93 marlin and the first thing i did was replace the original battery charger. It was humming loudly and I knew something was happening. I went with a four bank Minn Kotta precision digital and it has been excellent. I no longer have alarms when using all my electronics and engine starts are instantaneous. It was well worth the money to keep my batteries topped of, but not cooked.