Jacket4life
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2010
- Messages
- 382
Re: How bad did I screw up?
Hi!
I understand some of your issues, and I know you want help or you wouldn't be here. I'm sure everyone is doing their best to help, but if you don't know, I'd take their advice!
Starting with the battery is logical, easy, and best of all, CHEAP! That's something you are about to find out is NOT common when dealing with a boat! If you look around here much, you'll find out that boat is an acronym for Busted Out Another Thousand!
Really, you need to know what the deal is with the battery before you do anything else. Boats do not use regular automotive batteries, they use 'Deep Cycle' 12V batteries. One of the differences is the way they need to be charged. They require slow, steady, 'trickle' charges. You need a charger that puts out 2 amps or so, and leave it on the battery for 12 hrs. minimum. Then you need to be able to check the voltage like ajgraz reccommended, AND I wouldn't take the boat away from shore/trailer until I knew whether or not the battery was being charged when the motor is running. You can do this by checking the battery with a volt meter while the engine is running, or by checking the charging system while it's running. On my Mercury, the voltage at the battery while the motor is running and charging is around 16.5 volts.
After you ascertain where you are with the battery, you can proceed with trouble shooting everything else.
Funny story so you don't feel so bad. When I was a lot younger and got MY first boat, I had a similar issue. I charged the batt. for a whole day, nothing. Had no volt meter, so I pulled it off and took it to the store to buy a new one. They tested it and said it was good. I take it back, clicking and CLunk from the choke, but won't turn over. Take the cover off, starter engages but won't turn the motor over. Getting pissed, take the top cover off thinking I have to pull the starter and replace it (which, if you don't know, starters for boat motors are RIDICULOUSLY high!) When I get the top cover of: HUGE dirt dobber nests ALL OVER the fywheel and nosecone of the starter. Clean it all up, motor fires right up! LOL.
Welcome to the world of boating, hope you have as much fun as I have!
Best of luck.
Hi!
I understand some of your issues, and I know you want help or you wouldn't be here. I'm sure everyone is doing their best to help, but if you don't know, I'd take their advice!
Starting with the battery is logical, easy, and best of all, CHEAP! That's something you are about to find out is NOT common when dealing with a boat! If you look around here much, you'll find out that boat is an acronym for Busted Out Another Thousand!
Really, you need to know what the deal is with the battery before you do anything else. Boats do not use regular automotive batteries, they use 'Deep Cycle' 12V batteries. One of the differences is the way they need to be charged. They require slow, steady, 'trickle' charges. You need a charger that puts out 2 amps or so, and leave it on the battery for 12 hrs. minimum. Then you need to be able to check the voltage like ajgraz reccommended, AND I wouldn't take the boat away from shore/trailer until I knew whether or not the battery was being charged when the motor is running. You can do this by checking the battery with a volt meter while the engine is running, or by checking the charging system while it's running. On my Mercury, the voltage at the battery while the motor is running and charging is around 16.5 volts.
After you ascertain where you are with the battery, you can proceed with trouble shooting everything else.
Funny story so you don't feel so bad. When I was a lot younger and got MY first boat, I had a similar issue. I charged the batt. for a whole day, nothing. Had no volt meter, so I pulled it off and took it to the store to buy a new one. They tested it and said it was good. I take it back, clicking and CLunk from the choke, but won't turn over. Take the cover off, starter engages but won't turn the motor over. Getting pissed, take the top cover off thinking I have to pull the starter and replace it (which, if you don't know, starters for boat motors are RIDICULOUSLY high!) When I get the top cover of: HUGE dirt dobber nests ALL OVER the fywheel and nosecone of the starter. Clean it all up, motor fires right up! LOL.
Welcome to the world of boating, hope you have as much fun as I have!
Best of luck.
