Put a new battery in, and now I lost all power.

[Shwinkyyy]

hello everyone, so today after cleaning out my engine I went for a test run. Found out the battery was trashed, so I go the store and swap a new battery in. Then after that no power to ANYTHING. No tilt, won't turn, no accessories. When this happened I was at the ramp so I wasn't equipped to mess with anything, so I haven't even started diagnosing yet. I hate electrical, and I'm still green with boats so I'd rather consult you all first before I dive into it. Its a 1978? Cobia bowrider with a side console. with a 1986 mercury 115hp "tower of power."

 

[alldodge]

Did ya hook it up backwards?

 

[Shwinkyyy]

Lol I was waiting for that question. No I didn't hook it up backwards.

 

[gm280]

Is there a "main" fuse or circuit breaker that is tripped or blown between the battery and everything else?

 

[alldodge]

What motor ?

 

[Scott Danforth]

did you clean the battery terminals and the cable terminals prior to bolting things up.

by clean, use 150 grit sand paper and make it all shiny enough for your mother to eat off of them.

 

[alldodge]

What motor ?

1986 mercury 115hp "tower of power."

Woops :facepalm: did it again

Should be posted in the OB section but GM280 is where I would start

 

[alldodge]

Also seeing a 20 amp fuse but this should be on the return leg

 

[Shwinkyyy]

So an update, I started tracing a bunch of wires I did get accessory power going again, but I still don't have tilt and it still won't turn. Since my hydraulic pump is on an external unit is it possible my issue could be in the throttle arm? Maybe there is a fuse inside or a shorted ground?

 

[Shwinkyyy]

Picture of the controls. I have no idea how old it is or if I should even attempt to dismantle it

 

[Shwinkyyy]

I believe I found the culprit... in line fuse ran right off of the cylinoid. I don't know if that will solve my tilt problem yet but I will know tommorow when I put a new one in for now its dinner and bed for me guys. Thank you all for the help

 

[Shwinkyyy]

So the fusible link brought back everything she is turning over and the tilt is working yay! Crazy how the smallest thing can cause so many issues. Thank you again for the help guys!