Battery won’t hold charge after trim motor relays replacement

[Debber]

Hello! We have a Monterey bow rider with a Mercruiser 3.0 engine. The trim stopped working so we replaced the two relays/solenoids. Trim is working now but the battery won’t stay charged. Could we have wired the trim motor incorrectly when we put it back in, or do you think it’s a separate issue? Maybe alternator? Will a voltmeter tell us what’s going on?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Key on, engine off ,volt gauge reads? lets say 12 Start engine,go to 1000 rpms ,gauge reads? Must be greater than 12 or your not charging

 

[Jcris]

Or check voltage at starting battery with a meter. Motor not running = about 12.5
motor running = about 14.

 

[Debber]

Well we found the orange wire had come off the bolt of the alternator. Seems to be the problem.