no power

[cddetelich]

After sitting for an extended time (a week or more) my engine (1991 175 Johnson VRO) needs several attempts before it will start. If it does not start after 3-4 attempts, the next time I turn the key to start the system goes dead electrically- no starter spinning and all of the gauges on the dash go dead.
The first time this happened, I disconnected all of the accessory wires to the battery and just reattached the two cables, and the motor started. Then I reconnected the "little" wires, (bilge pump and some others) and everything seemed fine. Went out fishing several times, no problems, everything worked.
So, haven't been to boat in over a week, so I decide to go today to start motor for a while. 4 attempts to start, and then dash goes dead and no starter cranking whenever I turn key to start position. If I return key to off gauges work again, but as soon as I try to crank motor the gauges go dead and no starter cranking. Battery and cables are new this year.
Any ideas?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: no power

dead cell in battery. have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, usually free. also recommend a 1150 CCA Battery for that size engine. they have to turn+- 300 rpm to start.

 

[cddetelich]

Re: no power

So now I am confused. Sounds like you are telling me the dead cell will only show up after I have used the battery a little too much? I thought dead cells would affect a battery's ability all of thetime. I know it is spinning really fast, maybe not 300 rpm, but faster than last year with old battery. And i made sure I have a starting battery with 1200 CCA.
i appreciate any advice you can give me.
Maybe i shoudl hook up two batteries, one starting with only main cables, the other only for accessories???? If this sounds like a good idea how would I wire it? Or am I better off getting another identical starting battery and doing a conventional two battery wire hookup, but only use the one to start? If i do that, how can i safely switch to two batteries after motor is started so that both are recharged?

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: no power

battery load test after charging
check connections
2 batteries are the way to go

 

[bruceb58]

Re: no power

It almost sounds like there is an auto resetting circuit breaker somewhere. Best thing to do would be to get a meter ready to start measuring things when this happens again. Maybe have the meter connected up to the back of your ignition switch and see if power completely disappears. If it is just a bad connection, you will still see 12 volts without a load but you will see zero if there is some sort of circuit breaker that resets itself.