What did I fry ?

[TwoWatt]

Ok. I guess I'll swallow my pride & post my most recent incident.<br />I bought a boat in winter. Long story short the lake I go to only allows electric motors, so I haven't felt the urge to see if the big motor even works. <br />This weekend, I was home early from a fishing trip & thought "well lets hook it up & see if it will even crank over" <br />So I hook up the motor, turn the key at the ignition switch & nothing. No cranky no wankie.<br />So I think "well the battery cables aren't clearly marked as + or - maybe I have them backwards" <br />So I switch the ends, go back up to the ignition & again, nothing, BUT I look back & see smoke coming from the engine. DOH!!! <br />Quickly unhook the cables, make sure the motor isnt on fire, then re-cover the boat. And here I am. Since I don't even know how to pull the cover (mercury thunderbolt500 50hp outboard) I can't look inside & see what fried. <br />Can someone help? What was burning? How bad could of it got from the 10 seconds it was hooked up? <br />While I am here asking, how hard is it too pull a motor off a boat(time-wise) I was thinking of taking it too a mechanic & have him pull the motor & work on it, then when it's running & ready re-install it. <br /><br />Thanks Iboats.

 

[cuzner]

Re: What did I fry ?

Its been a while I had the engine on my first boat back in the 80's.First thing to do is pull off the cover.On the back of the cover in the middle on bottom there should be an oval lever.Rotate it so it points up-down and lift cover off.see what looks fried.Chances are you cooked your starter.You should have a pull start cord in there somewhere.wrap it around the gear on top of engine and see if the motor will turn.If it does with fresh gas and clean plugs you may be able start it this way(you will swear alot and get a sore back).As far as taking it off,I would'nt suggest trying.If possible take boat with engine to get checked out. Not only are they heavy,there is alot involved if your not farmiliar them.<br /><br /><br /> good luck<br /> Jim

 

[Solittle]

Re: What did I fry ?

If you decide to take it to a wrench take it mounted on the boat so that he can test it when he is through shakin your arm vigerously as you hold your wallet upside down.<br /><br />You will get a better response if this is moved to the Merc section.

 

[JB]

Re: What did I fry ?

Moving to Merc Outboard Troubles

 

[eurolarva]

Re: What did I fry ?

You did not mention the motor size and model number. My money is on a smoked rectifier. They hate to be hooked up backwards. I dont think reverse polarity will hurt the starter. Hopefully it is just the rectifier because they are not too expensive<br /><br />It does sound like you have either a bad battery, loose or corroded wires a bad solenoid or a defective starter. One of these would explain your inability to start the motor when the polarity was correct.

 

[bryanredfish]

Re: What did I fry ?

You sound a little new to the boating world. If not, forgive me. Top priority -- get a manual. Also, you didn't mention this, but you DID have the muffs on the engine didn't you? This is unrelated to your issue at hand, but had the engine fired up, you'd have more problems.<br /><br />I agree with Eurolarva: check the rectifier and solenoid. Get a manual.

 

[highaltitude]

Re: What did I fry ?

my money is on the smoked rectifier-some motors also have a fuse

 

[Trent]

Re: What did I fry ?

Rectifier for shure!

 

[BF]

Re: What did I fry ?

wrecked a frier