All electronics out after battery changed

[Leo cardenas]

I have a 18 ft 2001 Sun Tracker Pontoon Boat. The fairly new battery went dead and it was replaced. The boat turns on and runs good, but the radio, lights, live well pump and other electronics are not working. I checked all fuses including the two inline fuses the are near the battery. They are all good. Is there another fuse hidden somewhere's else, or what could the problem be.

 

[John_S]

Re: All electronics out after battery changed

I don't know your particular boat, but is there a chance you might have left a second set of cables off? I have seen many boats have one set of cables for starting/running the outboard and a second set for running all the electronics. Probaly that would be too easy, though.

 

[Leo cardenas]

Re: All electronics out after battery changed

I checked all the cables, there are three sets that are connected to the battery. I was told to run a wire directly from the battery to the fuse box and I tried that, but since it made a sparked it scared me and it made me decide to ask for real help.

 

[John_S]

Re: All electronics out after battery changed

A spark at the fuse block may be just that something was left on and tried to draw current, or it could mean there is a short or hooked-up wrong. It might be why your battery died pre-maturely, too.

Do you have a multi-meter and know how to use it? If not, and don't have the patience, it might be better just to take the boat in for service.

 

[Leo cardenas]

Re: All electronics out after battery changed

I don't have a meter and I have never used one. Think that I neede to bring it in for service, that of course can get expensive. I also talked with a friend that suggested that the thing (I forgot the name) that charges the battery as it's running could be out. Would that have anything with the electronics coming on? I've tried turning everything on even with the engine running and well as off.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: All electronics out after battery changed

....I also talked with a friend that suggested that the thing (I forgot the name) that charges the battery as it's running could be out. Would that have anything with the electronics coming on? I've tried turning everything on even with the engine running and well as off.

Alternator...it charges the battery.

But whether it is charging or not isn't the issue here. Someone with a little electrical proficiency can probably locate the problem quickly. It sounds to me like a little professional help could be your least expensive option in the long run.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: All electronics out after battery changed

This whole deal could go south in a hurry if you continue to troubleshoot something you are not qualified for. It doesn't help that you are not proficient with a multi-meter.
For what you think you may save trying a few things with a friend could cost you dearly if you make a wiring error. Something is drawing down your battery and something else is wrong to prevent your accessories from working.

Seek qualified help......

 

[Splat]

Re: All electronics out after battery changed

Goin out on a limb here, but I'm guessing he's got the positive feed to the fuse panel, as well as the ground buss both attached to the negative side of the battery.

You need to trace the main wire leaving the fuse panel either by color of with the use of a ohm meter, all the way back to the battery and make sure the cables are attached correctly.

Also you could simply have a bad connection. Grab ahold of the cables at the battery and give them a little jiggle and see if the electronics flicker. Or better yet remove the cables completely and ensure the connectors are clean and shiny. This would be a good easy, cheap place to start.

Since the electronics worked before the battery change, lets assume for this moment the problem is at the battery, it's the most likely scenario.

Bill

 

[Splat]

Re: All electronics out after battery changed

This whole deal could go south in a hurry if you continue to troubleshoot something you are not qualified for. It doesn't help that you are not proficient with a multi-meter.
For what you think you may save trying a few things with a friend could cost you dearly if you make a wiring error. Something is drawing down your battery and something else is wrong to prevent your accessories from working.

Seek qualified help......

Just want to add to this. DON"T JUST START MOVING CABLES AROUND ON THE BATTERY WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE THEY GO JUST TO SEE IF IT WORKS.

DC equipment like your depth finder and VHF are all polarity sensitive, not only will they not work if hooked up backwards, you could let the magical smoke out. And nothing works without the magical smoke inside.

BIll

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: All electronics out after battery changed

Were you succesful in getting it fixed?

 

[Leo cardenas]

Re: All electronics out after battery changed

I have not made it out to the lake house yet, I'll go back next week.