Stupid Dead Batteries . . . No, Stupid Dead Starter

[tpenfield]

We went out in the boat today and anchored for while. Played the stereo for a while when anchored . . . I go to start the engine after a couple of hours anchored and the engine won't turn over. Batteries were run down. . . still enough power to run the electrical stuff . . . just not enough to get the starter going.

Of course I had both batteries on at the time, so they were both pretty well drained :facepalm: (note to self, switch to one battery while anchored )

Well, I have both batteries now hooked up to chargers and they are sucking down the juice like bad boys.

So, I'm trying to figure out what drained the batteries. The engine started fine this morning . . . cranked it for a good 15 seconds. . . and everything seemed fine until we had anchored for a couple of hours. Maybe something is going on with the stereo that is drawing lots of current.

Ay ideas or similar experiences?

Thanks In Advance

 

[dwparker99]

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . .

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . .

If you know you have two good batteries and they were fully charged prior to the trip, check for a parasitic draw with everything off. If none, turn on the stereo and measure its draw. Unless you have a mega amp, a stereo should not drain two batteries in two hours.

 

[wingless]

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . .

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . .

My 2,500 watt stereo can flatten many of my batteries in short order when operated at obscene volume levels.

How many watts was your stereo blasting and for how long?

There are several ways to determine if your batteries are good or bad. I like two methods. First charge the batteries for 24 hours w/ an appropriate charger. One way is to remove the charger, then load the battery w/ a load that would discharge a good battery in 20 hours(good = nameplate Ah rating). A battery is past end-of-life when the measured Ah is under 50% of the nameplate Ah rating (less than 10 hours run time). The other way I like is to bring the battery to a store w/ a battery meter.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . .

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . .

The device auto stores use to test batteries is called a "load tester". Make sure the batteries are charged when you take them in for testing. Obviously a dead battery will check bad

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . .

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . .

You can pick up one of the cheese graters style battery testers on the cheep.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . .

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . .

Thanks for the responses . . .

No mega stereo, just your basic $150 marine stereo thingy at moderate volume levels. We did have the Admiral's sister's family avec 2 year old niece . . . playing with the controls and switches for a while . . . so maybe she figured out something that we have yet to find :facepalm:

Anyway, I actually had the batteries tested last year and they were both fine and dandy (one was fine, the other dandy). So, they have been charging all night and are looking much happier this morning.

I had to leave the boat tied up at the town dock overnight. So, if it is still there this morning, I will put the freshly charged batteries in and try to get the thing started.

Another theory that I have been considering is if the alternator has not been charging the batteries . . . like for a while . . . but the volt meter has been reading in the 13.5 volt range.

I hate electrical problems

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . .

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . .

Because a battery is charged does not mean it can "hold" a charge or "deliver" the current required. Either case causes the symptoms you describe. Install the batteries. turn the key on (don't start the engine) and note the reading on the voltmeter. It shoud be 12.6 volts if the batteries are fully charged. Then watch the voltmeter has you engage the starter. If the voltage drops below 10.5 volts while cranking you have battery/cable issues. Once the engine starts, turn on everything on the boat and note the voltmeter. It should be reading 13.5 volts or higher with rpm at 1500 - 2000. If it is still at 12.6 or below, then the charging system needs attention. Lastly, if you have one good battery and one so-so battery the weaker one will such the life out of the good one until the two are equal. Sinice you apparently have a dual battery switch, make sure the start battery is the good one (BAT #1) and switch to BAT #2 (the house battery) when anchored.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . . No, Stupid Dead Starter

Well, I went to the boat this morning . . . . . . The bad news is that it was stilll at the town dock and had not been stolen or anything like that . . . . . Good news is that the batteries seem OK . . .

Stupid dead/dying starter !!! So, it looks like I'll be getting a new starter.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . . No, Stupid Dead Starter

And just how did you prove that the starter was dead/dying? Your batteries went dead while you were at anchor. The starter wasn't running then so it cannot run down the batteries. A bad starter can make the batteries appear dead when they are not. Did you do the tests I suggested.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . . No, Stupid Dead Starter

The batteries check out good . . they never went dead, just drained a bit; everything else would run except for the starter motor.

So I have another starter motor for this engine sitting on my workbench, which I can put in there to verify things. That will be next weekend's project.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . . No, Hydro-locked . . .

Re: Stupid Dead Batteries . . . No, Hydro-locked . . .

Just a quick update to my engine starting saga . . .

not the batteries . . . not the starter . . . the engine was hydro-locked. :facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

So, since I am really interested in getting a new(er) boat . . . I decided to sell my boat as a 'fixer-upper'.

I listed it on CraigsList this evening. . . . :redface:

It is with mixed emotions that I am selling it . . . if I had the extra $$$$ to fix it as well as get a new boat, then I would do it.