Negative battery cable Hot!

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Quick question guys, my 81SN this weekend had some electrical issues. 

The negative battery cable is very hot. I know this because I burnt my fingers on it. Something seems to be shorting out. 

My battery is fully charged, all belts are tight, I clean the terminals usually before I start the first time so I always have a good connection.

But this weekend after running around the lake for about a hour and stopping then restarting the started stayed engaged, I then tried to turn off the ignition switch, which didn't work, then pulled off the positive batter cable because the negative one burned my fingers.

Any ideas what I might have going on? The starter and solenoid are new, ignition switch new. Everything has been working fine. I only have the problem of a hole in one of my exhaust manifolds which will be replaced this coming fall.

Please give me some ideas. Thanks!

SMAY-81SN

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
SMay81SN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: June-22-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote SMay81SN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Negative battery cable Hot! Posted: August-15-2005 at 2:54am
	Quick question guys, my 81SN this weekend had some electrical issues. The negative battery cable is very hot. I know this because I burnt my fingers on it. Something seems to be shorting out. My battery is fully charged, all belts are tight, I clean the terminals usually before I start the first time so I always have a good connection. But this weekend after running around the lake for about a hour and stopping then restarting the started stayed engaged, I then tried to turn off the ignition switch, which didn't work, then pulled off the positive batter cable because the negative one burned my fingers. Any ideas what I might have going on? The starter and solenoid are new, ignition switch new. Everything has been working fine. I only have the problem of a hole in one of my exhaust manifolds which will be replaced this coming fall. Please give me some ideas. Thanks! SMAY-81SN
	Scott Our 94 SN

79nautique Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: January-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7872	Post Options Post Reply Quote 79nautique Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-15-2005 at 2:41pm
	Do you have a deep cycle or cranking battery and what is the CCA rating? If it is a deep cycle replace it if it has less then 650 CCA replace it. Check your starter for worn brushes that need replaced causing more current draw from the battery. Do you have marrine grade cables? if they are automotive get rid of them, whats the wire gauge? 1/0, 2/0 if it's 4 or 6 gauge wire get rid of them and replace with heavier gauge wires.

SMay81SN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: June-22-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote SMay81SN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-15-2005 at 2:55pm
	I can't recall what the battery is but I had it put in by Southwest Correct Craft last year. (Boat is at the lakehouse an hour and half away) They also put a new starter in last summer. I replaced the battery cables about 6 years ago, they are 2 gauge wire that I bought from a marine store...I believe they are marine grade. The negative one though is corroding at the end where the connector is to connect to the battery.

79nautique Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: January-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7872	Post Options Post Reply Quote 79nautique Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-15-2005 at 3:54pm
	look into some new cables 2 gauge wire is small and the added corrosion isn't helping.

SMay81SN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: June-22-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote SMay81SN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-15-2005 at 8:25pm
	Well the 2 gauge wire is bigger than the orignal cables...its almost a 1/2 inche wide and the cable looks good except the very end. I still don't think this is what is causing the negative terminal to be so hot.

GottaSki Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: April-21-2005 Location: NE CT Status: Offline Points: 3363	Post Options Post Reply Quote GottaSki Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-15-2005 at 8:34pm
	Well, if one connection is hot, and the other isn't, the problem is most likely the hot connector, because what comes out has to go in, and if something else was causing it, both would be hot. Unless you have a 'tricity leak.
	"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing." River Rat to Mole

mrese Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: February-18-2004 Location: Al Status: Offline Points: 93	Post Options Post Reply Quote mrese Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-15-2005 at 11:20pm
	I may be wrong, but it sounds as though you have 2/0 size cables. That is a good size. Without knowing anything else, I GottaGO with GottaSki. The corrosion on the terminal more than likely has spread futher into the cables, even though it may Look Good. As more electicity passes through the restricted and corroded wires, it heats up.

Bhedbloom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December-01-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 116	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bhedbloom Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-16-2005 at 12:32am
	Just an FYI: I had a bad starter this year and it really heated up the wires. Burned my fingers hot! The starter was pulling way too much cuurent. Happy Boating!!!
	Barry, South Carolina

mrese Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: February-18-2004 Location: Al Status: Offline Points: 93	Post Options Post Reply Quote mrese Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-16-2005 at 3:53am
	Both pos and neg cables burned your fingers or just one?

Jim_In_Houston Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: September-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1120	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jim_In_Houston Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-16-2005 at 10:47am
	My vote is to replace the cable. I suspect corrosion exists within the cable near the terminal where it cannot be seen (reducing the effective wire diameter at that point). If the heating was caused by overcurrent both cables would be overheating. (Assuming the cables are the same size.)
	Happy owner of a '66 and a '68 Mustang

ty3724 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: August-16-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 15	Post Options Post Reply Quote ty3724 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-17-2005 at 9:00pm
	I second that same problem I cut the end off put on a new lug same thing hotter than SHi changed the cable and away we went the corrosion had crawled up the cable and couldnt see it

Negative battery cable Hot!

About CCF

Donate

Partners

Contact