Re: tach & Depthfinder
You triggered my memory with your last post. It sounds like you used the other guys battery to start your engine, then disconnected it and hookud up your battery, while the engine was running. <br /><br />OK, brace yourself, you cannot disconnect the battery from a running outboard. The engine must remain connected to a battery whenever it is running, or ... damage may be done to your electronics. The rectifier I believe. This was posted here recently. <br /><br />This is also why if you are running a 2 battery system with a 1-2-both-off battery switch, that you only move the switch with the engine off.<br /><br />Hopefully someone will get back to you with the specifics.<br /><br />You may want to post a new topic, " battery disconnect while running-ooops", may get someones attention and a quicker response.<br /><br />I will look for the post that gives this info and copy it here if I find it.<br /><br />I found several posts like this:<br /><br />
You can't run your engine without a battery attached, even for a moment, without doing damage to the charging system. You can jump start from another battery through your current battery.
And:
you will damage the diodes in the alternator and rectifier.
The alternator produces AC current, which the rectifier converts to DC for use in charging the battery. The main cables of the wiring harness (the large red[+] and black[-]leads) are the conduits -- no additional connections. Don't run the motor without the battery connected or you will damage the charging system.
"Could a bum rectifer drain a perfectly good battery in say 2 weeks without running?"<br /><br />"yes its possible and easy to prove. just take the neg. batt. cable off and install a dc ammeter between the post and cable to check for drain. if you see some drain, disconnect the rectifier unit and see if drain goes away."
