gournding issue?

[schotzi]

I have a 2001 4 cyl Volvo Penta drive, and last year, I had a couple times not been able to start my engine while I was out on the water (no movement at all with turning the switch). I would wait 10-15 minutes and then it would start up. The last time it occurred, I had a volt meter with me. With the volt meter across the battery, it read more that 12 volts, even with the ignition turned on. I then read the voltage across the ignition switch in the dashboard. It read around 6 volts. As we waited, the voltage across the ignition switch increased, and it got to a level to where it could start.
Does this sound like a grounding issue?
Would sanding all electrical connection points help?
Is there a way to preserve a connection (some type of conductive grease) that could be used to preserve a good connection?
HELP

 

[jtexas]

Re: gournding issue?

Can you be more specific about the voltage readings? Fully charged battery is 12.65 volts, at 12.3 volts, it's 50% discharged and probably too weak to start your engine.

Could be corrosion around the battery terminals - cleaning 'em up with sandpaper is an excellent idea - make 'em shine. Could also be a battery with an internal short - might want to have the battery load tested and check the alternator.

welcome to iboats!

 

[schotzi]

Re: gournding issue?

thanks jtexas,
It has been too long since I measured it (September). I thought that it was strange that I could read 12.x volts at the battery, but only 6.x volts at the ignition switch, and then after a while the voltage at the ignition switch improved. I pulled the battery out in October, gave it a charge and put it in storage. The terminals and the connectors looked clean. I will be putting the battery back in shortly, to run through the wiring.
I bought the boat last spring, and it appeared that the boat was not covered for some time, some signs of corrosion (green in clear speaker wires, rusty cig-lighter, some residue on the terminals of electronic gauges...). Also, the outdrive has some of the paint flaking away. But the wiring in the battery area seemed to be in order. Possibly the ground through the outdrive is not effective??? (residue around grounding points)