No Power to Anything

[caken]

I bought two new batteries for the boat and after putting them in tried to start it with one of the batteries. I had power to all instruments until I turned the ignition key. Everything lost power. I then switched over to battery 2 and all instruments started working again. Turned the key and lost power again. What could be causing this?

I tested the battery and both are still good. Checked all fuses that I could find and none were blown. Is there a relay by the starter that could be blown? And if it was could that cause all the instruments to go out?

 

[NYBo]

Re: No Power to Anything

You've got a bad connection somewhere. Enough juice is getting through until you throw the load of the starter into the equation. Take apart all the connections and shine them up with emery cloth and tighten them snugly. ARe there any connections that feel warm? That would indicate a point of high resistance.

 

[caken]

Re: No Power to Anything

Yes the battery terminals are very rusty. I was going to clean them tomorrow and try again. But if the dash instruments worked before I turned the ignition wouldn't they still be getting enough juice to continue working even if the boat wouldn't start?

That's why I was thinking maybe it was a fuse or relay somewhere I couldn't find.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: No Power to Anything

you have a lot to learn about electricity.poor connection my handle 5 amps, but 15 or 20 may be to much. poor connection some place. could be ign switch, bad battery connection, bad wire.fuse is either good or bad. could be poor connection at fuse or any other connection

 

[Don S]

Re: No Power to Anything

What engine and drive or outboard, year ???