Battery issues & Float switch

[davev]

People,

The motor is a 25HP electric start 1988. I had been having problems with the battery not holding a charge. Seems like there were multiple problems but the last has me stumped.

I installed a fully charged old battery, and measured the amp flow with a meter with all systems off. It should be 0, but the reading held at 28 milli amps.

I pulled various fuses but there was no change. Any ideas ??

I had also had to change the automatic bilge pump. The new pump sits higher than the old pump and thus leaves more water in the bilge - just enough to leave the float switch on with no water being pumped. The float switch is self contained and bolted to the bilge floor. Any suggestions about how to adjust the level when the switch trips ?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[j_martin]

Re: Battery issues & Float switch

People,

The motor is a 25HP electric start 1988. I had been having problems with the battery not holding a charge. Seems like there were multiple problems but the last has me stumped.

I installed a fully charged old battery, and measured the amp flow with a meter with all systems off. It should be 0, but the reading held at 28 milli amps.

I pulled various fuses but there was no change. Any ideas ??

I had also had to change the automatic bilge pump. The new pump sits higher than the old pump and thus leaves more water in the bilge - just enough to leave the float switch on with no water being pumped. The float switch is self contained and bolted to the bilge floor. Any suggestions about how to adjust the level when the switch trips ?

Thanks,

Dave

There could be a little leakage in the rectifier, if that's what you have. A regulator normally has a little leakage. 28 ma will kill a battery in a thousand hours or so, but the battery will self discharge in that amount of time anyway, so that leakage in itself is insignificant.

What is the battery voltage, engine off and engine running? If it doesn't go up, the rectifier or regulator likely is bad.

Unbolt the bilge switch and build up a pad under it.

hope it helps
John