Mercruiser 3.0 electrical problem?

[trooper1954]

Hi all,
I have a 1989 SeaRay 160 bow rider with a mercruiser 3.0. Today I was having trouble starting it, so checked the battery....11.22v. I used a battery pack to start the motor thinking that if I took it for a good run the battery would charge. Whilst underway the guages that were electric were bumping on a regular basis , and the engine seemed to miss slightly in time with this guage issue. At one point the motor quit and I had to use the booster pack to restart, but the other issues remained. When back on the bouy I checked the battery voltage and it now read 11.34v. after almost an hour.
Is this a problem caused by the low battery, or should I be looking further afield....alternator maybe? Battery now on land getting a full charge. Any help or troubleshooting tips would be most appreciated....would like a few more days out of the season!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Your alternator may not be charging


Your battery could be toast

Get alternator tested get battery tested

 

[airshot]

If you battery has an internal short between cells or your alternator has a short, either could cause these issues. Pull the alternator and battery, take them in for testing

 

[trooper1954]

Thanks airshot....will do that, but just going to let the battery charge fully and give it another try to see if it replicates....if so testing of both is what it will be!