Dead Battery???

[VIP 84]

Battery keeps going dead and pulled alternator and had it reworked. shop find nothing wrong. said it was more the likely the regulator. not sure what i'm looking for. have four little black solonid looking things. and a chrome looking box that has a few wires going to it. just what am i looking for and how will i know what i'm looking for?<br /><br />please help!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Dead Battery???

First of all, we have no idea what you are working on. Make, model, hp, and year of the engine would help.<br /><br />Type of boat? What else is hooked up to it? trolling motor? Fish finder? stereo? <br /><br />How long have you had the boat?<br />When was the last time it was able to maintain a charge, and for how long?<br />How are you charging it up now? For how long? <br />How old is the battery?<br />What type and size is the battery?

 

[VIP 84]

Re: Dead Battery???

ok...sorry.<br /><br />it is a 1984 VIP ocm 5.0L 200hp motor is a 1984 been rebuilt. 300 hours ago. lower unit as will. only have things that come on the boat hooked up. not stero or trolling motor. i have had the boat about 2 months. and i do not charge it after comming in from the lake. i thought the alternator was for that. this is the second new battery and it is a deep cycle marine battery with 725 cc. boat has tilt and trim,interior lights, bilg pump, blower on engine compartment,thing that is it..can you please help?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Dead Battery???

Ok, this is not my area of expertise, if I have one. But lets try to narrow it down a little.<br /><br />You should be using a "marine starting" battery, not a deep cycle. Deep cycle batteries are for long slow discharge, like you would when using a trolling motor. Starting batteries are for short, high bursts of power. This is probably not your problem, but remember it for the next time you buy a battery.<br /><br />Disconnect your battery, then connect a charger and charge it up.<br />Re-install battery and, with boat/motor in water, start engine. Now, using a handheld multimeter, measure the volts going into the battery. Volts should be 12.6 to 16. <br /><br />If you have power going back into the battery, then your charging system should be ok. Then it would be time to start looking for other items on the boat that could be draining off power when the boat is not in use.<br /><br />There could be a worn wire somewhere that is grounding out and causing it to drain the battery slowly. You can check the individual items or curcuits with that ever handy multimeter, looking for one that is allowing current flow even when it is turned off.<br /><br />As with all boat/motor repairs, a repair manual for your model is invaluable. It will help to identify all components and provide troubleshooting tips.<br /><br />I hope this helps a little. Don't be afraid to come back and ask for more help, lots of the expert are busy this holiday weekend.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Dead Battery???

VIP<br />725 cold cranking amps is plenty to start your motor. Normal lead acid battery is 12.6 volts unless it is discharged. With a 200 HP OMC I/O I am sure you will have at least a 35 amp alternator. If you have a voltage guage on the dash you can use that or any voltage meter.<br />Before you start your motor you should have about 12.6 volts, after you start you should have 13.8 to 14.8 volts. If your alternator has been check and found ok then you likely have a bad voltage regulator. My 1980 OMC regulator is a small square (about 2 inches) aluminum case and mounted to thermostat housing on the front of the engine. Of course wires run back to the alternator. <br /><br />If voltage is ok in the 13.8 to 14.8 range with the motor running then I would look for something draining your battery. In this case then the battery voltage is going to be less than 12.6 volts before you start your motor. With the key off usually still have power to lights both navigation, anchor and inteior. Also should still have power to bildge blower, winsheild wipers, tilt switch, trim switch, and bildge pump. If you have a automatic bildge then the float switch and be stuck or have junk holding it up. Also the start / run switch if left on will run down the battery fast. <br />Good luck and let us know what you find as it can help someone else.