Electrical failure

[jtr648]

A big hello to you all.

This is my first post and I am totally new to the boating world, so please excuse my lack of knowledge and the limited use of technical/boating terminology.

I have recently bought a 2002 stacer 475 bay master fitted with a 2002 mercury 60hp 2 stroke outboard. The battery that came with the package was a car battery and while it worked it needed some charging. After the battery was charged I refitted it and connected it up and I then used the power tilt to raise the motor. All was fine until I stopped to see if it was high enough to engage the manual support. It wasn't so I tried to tilt it a little higher. The power tilt did not function. I all got was a clicking sound from the two relays located within the motor.

Prior to all this the engine would start and all the clocks on the dash would function but now there is no power to the engine (cannot turn it over) and all the dash clocks are dead.

I have checked the battery connections and they are good: fitted a brand new fully charged marine battery but again all I get is a clicking nosie from the relays. The depth sounder and the marine radio still works but nothing else.

Any advice on what next I could check/change would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance for any replies/solutions.

John

 

[seabob4]

Re: Electrical failure

First thing you want to do is make sure your engine harness plug at the motor is securely plugged in. It will be located on the starboard side of the powerhead. Your VHF and depth finder are independent of the engine, hence they still operate. Second, make sure all your grounds are tight, even on the gauges. 95% of all 12V electrical issues on boats are a result of a bad/improper/missing ground.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Electrical failure

Just because the connections are clean and tight at the battery does not mean they are clean and tight on the other end and that there is no corrosion under the insulation at the terminals at either end. Here again, a voltmeter is your friend. If you own a boat, you are advised to buy one and learn to use it. Follow the electricity from the battery moving along until you lose it. That's where the problem is.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Electrical failure

There is a main fuse or circuit breaker somewhere on the engine. My money is that it is blown.

 

[jtr648]

Re: Electrical failure

Thank you for your quick replies.

All is working well now. It was simply a case of a poor contact at a switch box (next along from the battery) where the battery is earthed and where the live supply is switched. Thank you for the advice of using my volt meter, it was spot on.

Cheers guys

John