1992 Evinrude V4 90 HP correct sized CCA battery?

[scmutiger]

rebuilt powerhead, new starter, and brand new Wal-Mart branded marine starting battery (guessing 500 CCA)...... The motor turns over OK after a full battery charge for the first couple of attempts, and then just doesn't seem to have the power to get the thing to spin fast enough to fire. I cleaned the connections at the battery with sand paper, and really tightened the wing nuts. I plan to next clean and tighten all the connections at the motor, and maybe even replace the cables.

Does anyone think I need a 1000 CCA battery to get this motor to turn for more than 1 or 2 attempts?

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1992 Evinrude V4 90 HP correct sized CCA battery?

on the V4 i like a sturdy battery, as when cold they can be a little finicky. i like a group 27 battery 1100 1200 CCA. they motor has to turn +-300 rpms to start, the extra comes in handy.

 

[fishinaddict]

Re: 1992 Evinrude V4 90 HP correct sized CCA battery?

It sounds to me that you should check your cables. That battery should be plenty to start that motor. I have a johnson 200 and it will start on 500 cca. My Erude 115 also has a 500cca battery. These batteries are fine but I would suggest having 2. I have one 500cca starting and one deep cycle 1000cca on each of my boats. Autozone carries the deep cycle for $74. It has 1000cca and 160 reserve amps. Great Buy

Fishinaddict
Trey

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1992 Evinrude V4 90 HP correct sized CCA battery?

I agree with Trey. That battery should be more than sufficient.

I had a starter that acted as you described. I found that my battery cable had rotted out under the gunwale to where only a few strands of wire remained. It would crank fast fro a few seconds and then start to slow down as the few strands of battery cable wire heated up. Check the cable for any bulges in the insulation. That will be the bad spot. Also feel for any heat after cranking the starter.

 

[fishinaddict]

Re: 1992 Evinrude V4 90 HP correct sized CCA battery?

FYI, If it turns out to be the cable, Stay away from the marine store unless you just like spending money. I took my cables off and took them to carquest. They have a repair shop in the back and can make custom cables for you. Not sure if you have a carquest, but I am sure you have a parts store with a similar repair center in it. Trust me it was about $50 difference for me.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1992 Evinrude V4 90 HP correct sized CCA battery?

There are a few areas that you will need to investigate, that battery should crank her fine, but as Tash stated, the bigger the better in most cases. You may want to get the battery load tested, most places will do this for free.

I would definately start by removing all connections at the battery, starter, solenoid, and most importantly, the engine ground. Polish them to a shine, then retighten. Inspect the wiring for nicks, cuts, abrasions, and replace as needed. If the wiring "crunches" when you flex it, that is another sure sign of corrosion.BTW, get rid of those wing nuts on the batteries, ther are a no no.

If you have access to a DVM, voltage drop testing will isolate a faulty section of wiring, or a poor connection.

First set your DVM to the 20 Volt scale

Put your POS voltmeter lead on the battery POS terminal and the voltmeter NEG lead on the large incoming solenoid/battery terminal post and give her juice. If the meter reads more than .3 volts, the battery cable is bad, corroded or you have a faulty connection (loose).

Next, connect the POS lead to the incoming large solenoid post and the NEG lead to the outgoing large solenoid post while giving her juice. If the voltmeter reads greater than .2 volts, the solenoid is bad, corroded or has a faulty connection.

Next, connect the POS lead to the outgoing large solenoid post and the negative voltmeter lead to the starter positive post and give her juice. A reading of over .2 volts indicates faulty wiring between the solenoid and the starter.

Finally, connect the NEG lead to the NEG battery post and the POS lead to the engine block and crank the engine. A reading greater than .3 volts indicates a faulty negative cable, corrosion or a faulty connection.

 

[scmutiger]

Re: 1992 Evinrude V4 90 HP correct sized CCA battery?

I just wanted to let everyone know what I found. The battery was plenty powerful. The battery cables were good. I did clean up the connections a little better. It turned out that the teeth on the starter were binding a little with the flywheel. The problem was that the front mounting bolt was not tight enough. Of course, I didn't use my torque wrench on the front bolt and stripped the threads on the block. I had everything lined up perfectly before stripping the threads, and the starter turned motor over great.

I have a new starter gear, starter mounting bolts, and will be getting a heli coil kit this afternoon.

Thanks,
SCMUTIGER


btw...the battery is 625 CCA

 

[scmutiger]

Re: 1992 Evinrude V4 90 HP correct sized CCA battery?

OK....just wanted to give yet another update. I didn't end up needing to use the Heli-Coil kit. I purchased a new bolt for the front mounting hole. It was longer than what I was using. It also seems as though the replacement starter that I purchase online via Ebay was to partially to blame (mounting flange not straight?). I had to put a washer behind the mounting flange on the starter (bottom bolt hole), and the block. I then torqued everything per spec, and in order per the book. Everything is working great now.....like new!

Thanks,
SCMUTIGER