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Battery - or something else? |
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Slupe 
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Joined: February-26-2012 Location: Whitefish Bay Status: Offline Points: 40 |
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 Topic: Battery - or something else?Posted: May-29-2012 at 1:52am |
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So - the battery is fine. Thought it was the relay, but got it running by tapping the starter with my hammer at the suggestion of the parts guy at the local marina. Started fine using the bucket a few times on Sat. Decided to take it out for a maiden voyage on Sunday and had a great day on the lake with the family. So - is this something that can happen with lack of use or is the starter on it's way out and better get a new one before I am not so lucky???
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: May-23-2012 at 7:06pm |
Checking the voltage of a battery is a poor way to check it's condition. You need to have a load tester (the auto supply will do it for you) to really tell. The voltage to the starter and comparing that to the voltage at the battery will give you an idea of cables,connections and start relay condition. If you get more than a couple volts drop, then there's a problem. |
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Bri892001
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Joined: September-27-2008 Location: Boston MA Status: Offline Points: 4947 |
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Posted: May-23-2012 at 6:27pm |
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+1 on double checking and cleaning all connections.
Also, it's possible your starter solenoid, which is separate from the whole starter in this case luckily, got fried in the process of trying to start with the old, worn out, battery. |
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Slupe
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Joined: February-26-2012 Location: Whitefish Bay Status: Offline Points: 40 |
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Posted: May-23-2012 at 6:16pm |
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The boat is at the cottage. I will be there this weekend. I will plan on cleaning up the terminals, check all connections, etc. Pete - what should I see at the starter for volts if the battery is good vs dead? Thanks everyone.
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grim007
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Joined: January-09-2012 Location: portagelakes oh Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Posted: May-21-2012 at 11:43am |
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also check the connections down at the starter for looseness and corrosion, that has got me more than once!
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shaken not stirred
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: May-21-2012 at 8:57am |
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Yes on checking all you connections. Do the cables show any signs of corrosion? (green copper on the ends) Did you use a wire type post cleaner designed for battery lugs and cable terminals? Check the volts going to the starter when you turn the key to start.
BTW, my batteries sit all winter without a charge and they crank the engines come spring. |
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Slupe
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Joined: February-26-2012 Location: Whitefish Bay Status: Offline Points: 40 |
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Posted: May-21-2012 at 2:53am |
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Bought a Die Hard auto battery - same group size that was in the boat. I did not have time to do more trouble shooting.
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lakedog55
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Joined: November-11-2010 Location: Lake Weir Fl Status: Offline Points: 835 |
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Posted: May-21-2012 at 1:15am |
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I have had that problem before and went through the whole routine. When buying a new battery I do not leave until it is tested. Which battery did you buy? Did you try anything else?
Mike |
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Lakedog55
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ononewheel
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Joined: June-21-2011 Location: B Status: Offline Points: 776 |
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Posted: May-21-2012 at 1:08am |
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3 weeks for a battery is nothing really in my opinion. I know they sit for a long time before they are sold.
But I think you might have a connection problem. Check the cables closely and the connections. I had corrosion under the cable cover that was not noticeable until they were tested. The single click is usually associated with low amps or voltage, but it could also be so many other things too. Grab the ohmmeter. |
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If we let the professionals do everything it takes all the fun out of youtube
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Slupe
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Joined: February-26-2012 Location: Whitefish Bay Status: Offline Points: 40 |
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Posted: May-21-2012 at 12:51am |
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The battery that came with the new to me Martinique was old and not holding much charge. I was able to start the boat to warm it up and change the oil by jumping it (yes - I used the bucket method). So, I purchased a new battery about 3 weeks ago. I installed it today hoping to get the boat in the water, but got nothing but a click. I am thinking the battery wasn't fully charged when I got it and it sat for a few weeks and I just need to get it charged up - does that make sense? What does everyone use to keep the battery charged up?
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Slupe wrote: