Is it the battery??

[BassBuggyBob]

I got ready to take the wife out weekend before last. Got to the marina, turned the key...buzzing sound. Not the good ol' Force 40 firing up like it should. Tried it a few more times, finally even the buzzing stopped. Sure sounded like a dead battery. I put the charger on it and waited a few minutes. With the charger still connected, it fired right up. So, I left the charger on and went back two days later. Unplugged the charger...turn the key...buzz. Now, this particular battery came with the boat when I bought it used last year. And, it was not fresh out of the box then. However, I do have a new deep cycle battery for the trolling motor. I switched batteries...turned the key...buzz.<br />Is it the battery or should I be looking for something else?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Is it the battery??

Not all deep cycle batteries are made to deliver the amps required by a starter. Most are dual purpose these days, but not all. If there's a CCA or MCA rating, then yes. Amp Hours, no. So there's a "maybe / maybe not fer ya. <br /><br />Regarding the starting battery, they tend to last 2, 3, 4 years if you're lucky. Hard to say how old it is. If you have a voltmeter, see what it says with no load on the battery. Then try starting and see if it drops a bunch. You need at least 9 1/2 volts. If it drops further and the battery is charged, it's junk (or the armature is shot).

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Is it the battery??

Also check all the connections to the battery and starter. Use a file or sand paper and clean all corosion off the leads and make sure they are tight. Most starters use a body ground instead of a wire for ground. My guess is your starter is going bad. If battery checks out and wires are clean and tight you might want to think about taking the starter apart and cleaning it out. Could be carbon stuck in one of the brush springs and a simple cleaning may be all it needs.

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: Is it the battery??

fully charge batt.take to auto parts store have them load test the batt.wal mart can do the same thing. i would say batt.is shot dead cell.

 

[monkeyboi]

Re: Is it the battery??

BBB,<br /><br />check wire connections at battery posts. if they are okay, most likely battery is gone.<br /><br />nice to see another poster on iboats from mid-tenn

 

[BassBuggyBob]

Re: Is it the battery??

Thanks everyone! I have to play a couple of shows this weekend and hopefully Sunday (rain or no rain) I can get back out there and nail down the problem. Great advice from all! It is much appreciated!

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Is it the battery??

Starters can develop flat spots on them. Usually caused by crap build up on the brush springs. When this happens that particular brush is not coming in contact with the comutator. A lot of times when a starter will not engage you can hit it with a hammer to help the spring put the brush back in contact with the comutator. If your cranking battery and your deep cell trolling battery can not start the starter and all contacts are tight and clean chances are your starter is the problem. Deep Cell batteries have plenty of power to start a motor however the high current demand for the starters is bad on the batteries. On a 40 HP with only 2 cylinders you only have half the compression to overcome of say a 4 cylinder so your deep cell battery should have enough juice to spin the starter.<br /><br />If you do decide it is the starter they are pretty easy to take apart. Just make sure when you do that you can find the springs if they fly off when your scparate the commutator from the starter housing. Get a can of contact cleaner or WD40 with a bunch of Qtips and clean the crap out of the starter. When you reassemble the starter use mono filiment fishing line to tie and hold the brushes in place. Once you have cleared the commutator cut and remove the mono filiment.

 

[BassBuggyBob]

Re: Is it the battery??

I wanted to follow up with you all...It was indeed the battery. Bought a new one, put it in and it fired right up. I also found out just how cold that air on the lake can feel when you get the boat moving down that open channel.<br />Thanks to all for your replies!

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: Is it the battery??

good that fixed your boat.now your good for next boat season.maybe you can find bill dance with your new battery.looks like your from tenn.