Killing battery

[KingFloyd]

Hello all,
I have a 1979 Sea Ray with a 898 Mercruiser. After storing it for the winter I forgot the drain plug in and it filled with water. After draining it, I changed the battery and everything seemed fine. But after running it for a while the new battery started leaking fluid, indicating to me it was overcharged. I changed it again but now it dies very quicly with the ignition off. If I have the ignition on, without the motor running it dies within minutes. I put a test light in line from the pos post to the pos cable with the cable disconnected it shows a slight discharge, but not enough in my opinion to kill the battery so quickly. My question is it possible the alternator might be fried even though it charges while running, so it discharges the battery while the engine is off, and aldo is the alternator internally regulated so it might overcharge the battery even tough the gauge shows normal charging parameters. Or could there be another reason I'm having these issues. The ignition is a point ignition, but that shouldn't draw enough juice to kill the battery within min if ign is left on ( I think )

 

[Zackman]

Re: Killing battery

Just a few thoughts...

I've never heard of an over charge causing a battery to leak.​

Normally a draw is checked by disconnecting the negative cable and putting a test light inline with the negative cable and seeing if there is a draw as indicated by the test light illuminating. This needs to be corrected, since the worst thing for a lead acid battery is repeated large draining (slight drains over an extended period) followed by recharge.​

Get the battery tested at any local auto parts store, replace if needed.​

Find and correct the draw with the ignition switch off and with a battery of kown good condition.​

With a known good battery, check the output of the alternator with a voltmeter.​

Also, you would probably get better responses (including mine) if you posted your question in the Electric, Electronics and Trolling Motors section of the iboats forum ​

 

[KingFloyd]

Re: Killing battery

Thanks Zackman,
So you don't think my issue is caused by a fried alternator? I did change the battery twice with a new one. Is there an outside (from the alternator) diode or outside voltage regulator

 

[KingFloyd]

Re: Killing battery

Once again,
Thanks Zackman, I posted my inquiry on the electrical forum