Re: electrical help needed by all thumbs boater
It sounds like there used to be 2 batteries installed.
The negatives would be connected and go to the motor, and somewhere up front.
the positives were connected to your "A/B/Both" switch, and then the "Common" from that switch went to the Motor, and also to the fuse box.
Some reason, the A/b switch has been bypassed, and the feed line to the fuse box is not connected.
If you are a lucky man, it was because the guy wanted the batteries, and dumped an extra in the boat, bypassing all the stuff. Did you see the electronics working before you bought it? if so, he wanted the batteries.
If you are not so lucky, here are some things:
1. the A/B switch does not work / he took the heavy guage wires (approx 1/2 Inch diameter) which would allow you to use the switch.
2. The fuse box or the wiring beyond the fuse box has one or many shorts in it.
What I would do.
1. See if there is a wire that goes from the fuse box (normally a single bolt on the top or bottom (nearest the fuses) and makes its way back to the battery, just hanging there, or near the "common" on the A/B switch. if this is there, you can try connecting it and see if that solves your accessory problems.
If that wire is not there, you may have to pull a new one. If the wire goes to the common on the A/B switch, and will not reach the battery, find if the switch is usable.
Once you have figured this out, you may have to troubleshoot the fusebox circuitry.
2. See if there are 2 wires, big ones, 1/2", Red, hanging out near the A/B switch. these should be connected to the #1 and #2 connections.
if they are there, connect both to the Positive.
See if there is anything connected to the "common" if there is, turn the switch to the both, and see if anything works, see if you get 12v at the common lug.
if that works, switch the positive from the motor, to the common.
You can use this basis to start to re-assemble your system.
