First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

[sundowner205]

Hi guys,

So my boat was running fine...left the battery selector switch on for a few days by accident, I think it discharged the cranking battery because the starter wouldn't quite turn-over - just kinda clicked like when a car battery doesn't quite have enough juice to start it. The battery is only about 2 months old - took it home to charge it, my charger is only 1.5 amps and it took about 2 days to say it was "charged". Reconnected the battery and the only thing that worked was the auto bilge pump - no other electrical accessories worked, and it definitely wouldn't even click when i turned the key. Is it possible that my charger screwed up my battery? 2 days seems kinda long to charge even for 1.5 amps....

To make atters worse, after I disconnected the battery a few times, in all my haste, I managed to hook the battery cables up backwards - a little smoke from the battery, but surprisingly no burnt wires. All grounds and cables are tight - the boat is an '89 Four Winns Sundowner with an OMC 5.7 Cobra...I looked for blown fuses in the engine compartment - couldn't find any, I think the ones under the helm are OK....I'm hoping it's just the battery causing all the initial problems...HELP

 

[bruceb58]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

There is a fusible link down near the starter. You may have blown that one.

 

[sundowner205]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

I saw two yellow rubber fuse holders down along the lower block- opened them and they were fine...where by the starter is this fusible link, and what does it look like? Thanx in advance.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

It will be within inches of the starter solenoid on the cable that goes into the wiring harness.

Edit: It is possible that you have fuses rather than the fusible link. Were the fuses 50A?

 

[sundowner205]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

I don't think so - they were the small, glass bus type...they didn't look like they would hold that much amperage...

 

[sundowner205]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

I don't think so - thay were the s,mall, glass bus type...don't think they would hold that much amperage...

 

[sundowner205]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

they were the small, glass, Bus type...didn't look like they would hold that much amperage...they were more towards the front of the engine - not too close tothe solenoid but on the same side...

 

[jonsquatch]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

I managed to do that once with my 88 bayliner with 5.0 cobra. On mine there are 2 huge (well compared to regular automotive fuses) 50amp fused in a big round rubber fuse holder on top of the motor just underneath the large main wire harness. You have to take remove the large harness from the spring wire holder in order to remove the two fuse holders from the bracket. It is mounted on the intake manifold in front of and just to the left of the distributer. I burned out the 50 amp fuse in the holder on the left.

If its the same on your boat call around before you go looking most of the parts stores around here don't keep fuses that large in the older style. I lucked out that an autozone had some, most places asked if it was for a car stereo, seems they are just about the only use for that large of an old style fuse. They only had gold plated ones for the stereo scene, but they worked fine. I was working my way across town to one of the stereo shops to look there when I found a parts store that had one. Now I have a spare in case I do something stupid again.

 

[sundowner205]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

I managed to do that once with my 88 bayliner with 5.0 cobra. On mine there are 2 huge (well compared to regular automotive fuses) 50amp fused in a big round rubber fuse holder on top of the motor just underneath the large main wire harness. You have to take remove the large harness from the spring wire holder in order to remove the two fuse holders from the bracket. It is mounted on the intake manifold in front of and just to the left of the distributer. I burned out the 50 amp fuse in the holder on the left.

Sure enough - one of those fuses was blown - but it was a 60amp, the 50amp was fine. Also, had the battery tested and it was charged - but only at 1.5amps! That explains why nothing electrical was working, let alone the starter turning-over...went to Autozone but they only had 50amp fuses - will try an audio shop tomorrow....any other thoughts, guys?

 

[djvan]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

If pysically the same size you wouldn't hurt anything by repalceing with a 50 amp. It may blow out though. Just a thought to get you back on the water if you can't locate a 60 amp right away.

DougV>

 

[EarlyWood]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

were they the small glass bus type?

 

[sundowner205]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

were they the small glass bus type?

yes, they indeed are...

 

[EarlyWood]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

i'm yankn yur crank. it's a cadet thing

 

[jonsquatch]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

Well fingers crossed lets hope you get off easy as a fuse and a dead battery. I was lucky it was just the fuse and only a 2 hr. delay on starting the day. In a pinch you could try a 50 amp fuse but I would worry that it might go at an inconvenient time (further than I want to row away from civilization) They will surely have 60amp fuses at a car audio place that will work, and keeping a couple spares on hand for each seems prudent to me even though it probably never has been changes in it's long life.

 

[sundowner205]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

i know...the website was having trouble earlier that's why i posted 3 times...

it's cool man, i always respect another wiseass

 

[sundowner205]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

Well fingers crossed lets hope you get off easy as a fuse and a dead battery. I was lucky it was just the fuse and only a 2 hr. delay on starting the day. In a pinch you could try a 50 amp fuse but I would worry that it might go at an inconvenient time (further than I want to row away from civilization) They will surely have 60amp fuses at a car audio place that will work, and keeping a couple spares on hand for each seems prudent to me even though it probably never has been changes in it's long life.

Yeah it was definitely the original fuse..I picked up some of the 50 amps to keep onboard - you never know...I will get the 60 amps tomorrow and hopefully we'll be able to get underway here agian!

 

[sundowner205]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

Well fingers crossed lets hope you get off easy as a fuse and a dead battery. I was lucky it was just the fuse and only a 2 hr. delay on starting the day. In a pinch you could try a 50 amp fuse but I would worry that it might go at an inconvenient time (further than I want to row away from civilization) They will surely have 60amp fuses at a car audio place that will work, and keeping a couple spares on hand for each seems prudent to me even though it probably never has been changes in it's long life.

I have to say that i'm a little curious why both of your fuses were 50 amp and i have one 50 & one 60...there isn't that much difference between the 5.0 and the 5.7 and only a year difference in the model....just curious like i said.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

Let's hope you didn't fry your alternator. There is a chance you did.

 

[sundowner205]

Re: First the Battery, Now I'm Lost!

Let's hope you didn't fry your alternator. There is a chance you did.

Yeah I know...let's just hope that big 60 amp did it's job before any damage to the other components occurred...[fingers crossed]