Totally dead 12 v?

[gstanton]

Was out fishing (trolling) the other day and noticed the voltmeter was jumping all around... then the Humminbird went dead. Re-powered the Hbird back up and it went dead again. Put the boat in neutral and revved it up and the voltmeter kept jumping (big time) and then the engine died. Turned the key to start and -- NOTHING! No oil pressure alert, no gauges, no starter, no 12v!
Crap.
Switched to battery # 2, started right up and everything worked fine for the rest of the trip. Today, went down to the boat to see what's up. Switched to battery 1 and everything works fine this day. LOOKED at the batt terminals and they appear clean.

Suggestions?

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Totally dead 12 v?

How about battery #1's ground?

 

[sdshort1979]

Re: Totally dead 12 v?

My guess that the plates inside the battery may be shorting out, or it may be low on water in the battery... I ain't a expert but I hope this helps

 

[JB]

Re: Totally dead 12 v?

Sounds like the dreaded corrosion in battery cables or connections to me.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Totally dead 12 v?

Sounds like the dreaded corrosion in battery cables or connections to me.

ya, i hear that idea..... or

LOOKED at the batt terminals and they appear clean.

lookin at em don't confirm that theyz makeing a connection. take em apart and clean them with some emery or something till theyz shiney..... reassemble and see if it makes a difference..... i just went thur many, not all, but many connections on my boat yesterday.... many of them had a glaze on them from sittin i assume.... cleaned them all up shiney with emery....... they look a lot different after a shineing.....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Totally dead 12 v?

And don't just clean the terminals at the battery. The other end of each cable is just as important as those at the battery.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Totally dead 12 v?

lookin at em don't confirm that theyz makeing a connection. take em apart and clean them with some emery or something till theyz shiney..... And don't just clean the terminals at the battery. The other end of each cable is just as important as those at the battery.

Ayuh,......

And,...... Don't forget the Grounds............

 

[thurps]

Re: Totally dead 12 v?

Don't you just love it when the cables have corroded up inside the insulation or connector where you can't see it.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Totally dead 12 v?

There is nothing like the sound of crunching in your wiring. Slice into the insulation just to find powder and one strand of black oxidized copper wire. Oh what fun.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Totally dead 12 v?

The problem can be many places, in the battery, the termials conections, the ground to the block, the connection to the back of your switch, ect.

Ok the fastest way to find the problem is with a cheap little volt meter.

Start by measuring the voltage from battery post to battery post. When I say post I mean post not the cable connect to the post.

If you do not have 12 volts there then could be a open between the cells of the battery. If it is then it time for a new battery. Remove battery cables and re check to be sure. Then take battery in to a auto store to have it tested.

If you have 12 volts on the battery post then move the metter leads to the battery cables. If have 12 volts there then move meter leads and messure from the block to the back of your battery switch.

If it is 12 volts there then move red lead to the common post on the back of your battery switch with the switch in postion 1 and leave the black lead on the block. If you have 12 volts there then it should be good since from that point on the wireing is the same for battery 2 which works.

By this point you should know where the problem is, Battery, Cable connection, the cable it self, connection on the back of the switch, the switch is bad for battery 1.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Totally dead 12 v?

all accurate statements.

 

[thurps]

Re: Totally dead 12 v?

It needs to be tested under load. To many times 12v but no current.