Crusaders 454XL electric gremlins ?

[Valv]

I have a weird electrical problem.

I mostly troll Lake Superior, Silverton 34c 1992 with Crusaders 454XL.

The PORT motor starts and will run all day with no issue, 1 battery is connected to it and powers some electronics.
But every hours or so (of trolling at idle) the STARBOARD motor battery will go dead, and the downriggers attached to it also will not move, or they will move very little. I start the STARBOARD motor using parallel starting switch, and everything is back to normal until I run STARBOARD motor only, which will discharge slowly the battery and kill after few hours.

To have everything work fine I have to troll with BOTH motors at idle.

My "experience" suggests I replace the Starboard alternator and battery, but I'd like to hear other opinions.

Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Crusaders 454XL electric gremlins ?

I have a weird electrical problem.

I mostly troll Lake Superior, Silverton 34c 1992 with Crusaders 454XL.

The PORT motor starts and will run all day with no issue, 1 battery is connected to it and powers some electronics.
But every hours or so (of trolling at idle) the STARBOARD motor battery will go dead, and the downriggers attached to it also will not move, or they will move very little. I start the STARBOARD motor using parallel starting switch, and everything is back to normal until I run STARBOARD motor only, which will discharge slowly the battery and kill after few hours.

To have everything work fine I have to troll with BOTH motors at idle.

My "experience" suggests I replace the Starboard alternator and battery, but I'd like to hear other opinions.

Thanks.

Ayuh,.... I'd think alittle Time, 'n a Multimeter will tell ya, Exactly what's wrong...

Could be bad wirin' from the start, or corrosion on good wirin', makin' it go bad...

Has it just started doin' this,..??

 

[Valv]

Re: Crusaders 454XL electric gremlins ?

Ayuh,....
Has it just started doin' this,..??

I really don't know. Boat is new to us this year, we haven't used it much so far. We cannot get over the 2 hours outing due to this issue.

Multimeter on port motor cables (disconnected from battery) marks 14.2 volts, stbd motor 13.4. Definitely a sign alternators are not same.

To make things more "interesting", I added a lower control station in the salon, so we don't have to drive boat from flybridge only.

I have an alternator and 2 batteries on order. We'll see what happens.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Crusaders 454XL electric gremlins ?

I really don't know. Boat is new to us this year, we haven't used it much so far. We cannot get over the 2 hours outing due to this issue.

Multimeter on port motor cables (disconnected from battery) marks 14.2 volts, stbd motor 13.4. Definitely a sign alternators are not same.

To make things more "interesting", I added a lower control station in the salon, so we don't have to drive boat from flybridge only.

I have an alternator and 2 batteries on order. We'll see what happens.

Ayuh,.... Ok, but it's awhole lot Cheaper to Test, 'n Diagnose it....

Wirin', batteries, 'n alternators are easily tested,....

If ya want, I can move this to the Electrical forum,...
I'm sure Silvertip, or Bruce, or any others of the boys could explain it to ya...

 

[Valv]

Re: Crusaders 454XL electric gremlins ?

Ayuh,.... Ok, but it's awhole lot Cheaper to Test, 'n Diagnose it....

If ya want, I can move this to the Electrical forum,...
I'm sure Silvertip, or Bruce, or any others of the boys could explain it to ya...

Yes, please.... and thank you !!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Crusaders 454XL electric gremlins ?

Yes, please.... and thank you !!

Ayuh,... Done....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Crusaders 454XL electric gremlins ?

Heres the process that you SHOULD have used.

1) Remove the alternator.
2) Remove the battery.
3) Charge the battery with a known good charger.
4) Take the battery and the alternator to your local auto store and have them tested. Normally this is done for free.

I seriously doubt both the battery and alternator are bad. One or the other maybe -- but not both.

If one or the other checks bad, replace it and now do some testing.

1) Your boat probably has a voltmeter at the helm(s).
2) Turn the key to RUN (not START) and see what the voltmeter reads. Should be 12.6 or so.
3) Start the engine and again note the voltmeter. If the voltage does not rise to 13.6 - 14.2 (give or take a few tenths) at about 2000 RPM then there is a wiring issue. You know the alternator and battery are now ok so it has to be wiring.
4) You have a dual battery switch so check its wiring.

 

[Valv]

Re: Crusaders 454XL electric gremlins ?

Thank you Silvertip, I will follow your precedure.

The only objection I have is my gauges are not the most precise, the tip of the needle covers a lot of area, but I am positive I will be able to see a little over 12v then between 13v and 14v.