Boat dies while accelerating

BuffaloBFN wrote: Check me Pete(and expand if you like): As resistance increases, the current is reduced. In this case, resistance = corrosion. I=V/R

Greg,
You're close but I'll change the wording. As resistance increases from ether too small wiring to handle the current or corrosion, the voltage drops. Then with the voltage drop, the current (amps/watts) increases compounding the problem.

In Tom's case, the voltage readings will tell the story. He should get a reading at the battery and then under the dash. This will indicate the drop. Circuit breakers do go bad especially the cheap ones that the factory installed. Even cycling them a few times will weaken the bimetallic spring/contact inside. He needs to check the load on that ignition breaker. A decent VOM will have a 20 amp setting. It needs to be put in series in the circuit to get the reading. Both the coil and the electric choke are powered up off that breaker.

Thanks.....Would you run bigger wire from the Battery and Engine to the dash? Nautique parts sell the circut breakers so I will order one Monday. After ski season I plan to re do the dash.

Hopefully the replacement of the breaker will fix the problem of boat dying and the rewire will be just an overall improvement of the system.

Thanks Philip...So you pulled the in dash circit breaker for the ignition and cleaned it? I guess the ignition system is sending a electrical surge that trips the breaker. So with the breaker being 24 years old I guess it becomes easier to trip?
I have the same issue with my gages bouncing.....this winter I plan to re wire the dash.

My 88 BFN has stalled 4 times this summer for no reason! While pulling a skier up the boat will loose all electrical power and engine will die completely...... with no warning. (It always does this while accelerating with a skier.....under a load) This may be a coincidence.

To restart the boat I push the in dash circuit breaker off and again for on. Then the boat will start like normal, and it will not act up again for a few weeks. I am curious if anyone has had a similar problem and knows what is causing the problem or are there some things that I should check. For trouble shooting I thought I would start with replace the circuit breaker in the dash and the one behind the engine.