Battery draw down

[phatdaddy]

I need some help from the gurus on the board. 150 merc(94) when the boat sits for a couple of days, the battery is drained. I am sure it is in the outboard & not the electronics or cabin. i can isolate them. My question is what would be drawing down that much on the motor that would not be obvious( starter, trim, key switch, etc.) If you guys can shed some light, i'll be grateful.

[charlie_the_tuna]

uuuuhhhhh. . . . . . . . .







battery switch.

[Airslot]

Clean the top of your battery and all connections. Dirt on the battery top can cause what you describe.

[msbhammer]

I was surprised yesyurday when replacing my cables. After a season of beating around in the bay, my terminals were found to be loose. :-/

[Airslot]

Locknuts my man, locknuts ;D

[msbhammer]

I agree with ya AIR, Boat buddy said the same thing. Get rid of the wing nuts !!

[Airslot]

Wingnuts have no place on a boat. ;)

[phatdaddy]

I will take a look at the connectors. I notice when i connect the + cable to the battery, there is spark. i know a small arc is normal, but this seems a little excessive. would this indicate a bad ground somewhere on the motor. I hate electrical problems. thanks

[spareparts]

disconnect the negative cable, put a test light in series between the negative cable and the negative terminal, if you have a drain, the light will come on, disconnect stuff till the light goes off, there's your drain, take a look at the rectifyer/ regulator,. Leave the battery disconnected and see if it still goes down, might be time for a new one

[phatdaddy]

good ideas, I'll put the light on it tomorrow. I only have one battery and no switch, so that is not a prob. i only have 4 wires going to the bat. electronics, cabin/dash, bilge pump, & motor. I'll check each one individually & go from there.

[Airslot]

Sounds like a plan. I'm still a one battery guy myself, but I do carry a portable Jump Box with me all the time, well, almost all the time ;D

[phatdaddy]

I want to add another battery & i know they will fit in the hatch openings on either side, but i am trying to figure out how to put a shelf in the bottom of the hull.


I was thinking of going from the stringer to the side of the hull . The single battery is now on a shelf between the stringers in the rear.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e203/ffatdaddy/freshwatertankport.jpg

[spareparts]

my v-20 had a shelf large enough for two batteries, i just didn't like where they were, see the topic battery location under modifications for pics

[randlemanboater]

Wingnuts have no place on a boat. ;)

Hey, I really like them. They look good and impress the ladies............Oh, you said wing nuts. I thought you said wingtips.

[phatdaddy]

I put the test light in series on the neg cable & the neg post. no light, i pulled all wires of & i will test voltage tomorrow & see if it holds voltage overnight. thanks for the help..

[reelapeelin]

phat...in your pic above...can you put a horizontal cleat front and back, then a shelf?... :D ...

[Airslot]

REEL, that would work as I have the same setup in my boat, less the plumbing. I've thought of doing that, my oil tank sits where the 2nd battery would be.

[reelapeelin]

REEL, that would work as I have the same setup in my boat, less the plumbing. I've thought of doing that, my oil tank sits where the 2nd battery would be.



Could make the shelf easily removable to access below?...need to?...

[phatdaddy]

I was planning that, but i didn't want to screw into the transom for the rear cleat. I talked to a friend of mine who does fiberglass repairs on boats and he suggested epoxying two strips of teak on there( one on the transom & one on the inside of the liner). I liked that. but then i wondered if the weight of the battery bouncing would shear them off? That's when i thought about laying across the stringer and on the hull. i think you are right you would need to have access below.

[reelapeelin]

I like the idea of epoxying cleats on, but done properly, screws will be just as effective and safe from water intrusion...again, done right, bouncing battery shouldn't shear cleats...if in bow, it'd be a concern ;) ...

[macojoe]

screwed on with SS screws and 5200 will never leak and be stronger then any glued cleat would ever be!!

[tsubaki]

If your not opposed to installing a battery shut off switch this might solve the problems however be sure to connect the bilge pump at the battery (fused) if the boats in the water. Voltage could be leaking most anywhere, solonoid, fuse panel, light switch or even main feeder wire with cracked insulation. Be sure to get the one you need (one or two battery) and don't buy the cheapest one.

[phatdaddy]

I need a switch anyway, i was just hoping to have a 2 battery set up. I've only owned the boat 16 years so you can see how fast i get things done. I've narrowed the drain down to one of the two sets of red wires that comes off of the hot side of the solenoid switch. They go under the plate on the back of the block. I don't know what they do, but one set is drawing constant juice. I'll try to do some more investigating

[spareparts]

voltage regulator

[phatdaddy]

might have found the culprit, bad float switch for the bilge pump. wire was corroded off at the base & laying in a puddle of water in the bilge. i hooked the battery to the two leads from the motor and will let it set overnight. hope this is it, cheaper than a volt reg.

[phatdaddy]

Battery held overnight, no voltage drop. switch replaced. loading drinks, coolers ,fishing poles, kids, etc. heading to the island, highs mid 80's & spanish are running. thanks for the help, all....

[msbhammer]

Mid 80's :'( its like 45 here in Delaware. :'(

[randlemanboater]

Its 82 and sunny here in central NC. ;D

[macojoe]

Current conditions as of 3:56 pm EDT

Fair
Feels Like: 37°
Barometer: 30.45 in and steady
Humidity: 60%
Visibility: 10 mi
Dewpoint: 30°
Wind: NNE 10 mph
Sunrise: 6:36 am

[phatdaddy]

hang in there hammer & mj. its coming your way. *I'll trade with you *i n august when its 95* and 110% humidity. *