voltage drain

[gator919]

i have a 1993 115 hp merc and it seams that there is a phantom voltage dr?ain, i had some one who knows a little more than me (and htat is not a lot at all) that the problem could be the alarm chipfor the oil level. any ideas

 

[Chris1956]

Re: voltage drain

Put an ammeter between the battery + post and teh boat pos battery cable. The Ammeter should read some amperage. Now disconnect the wiring harness at the motor plug. If the amperage drops to zero, the short is in the boat harness. If it stays, the short is in the motor harness. If it is the motor harness, suspect the voltage regulator. Disconnect the red wire and see if that is it. If so, replace the VR

 

[j_martin]

Re: voltage drain

If you don't have an ammeter handy, a small 12V light bulb will work. If it lights at all, some current if flowing.

hope it helps
John

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: voltage drain

I have one of those "phantoms" on my pontoon boat. Bought a HF disconnect switch and installed it on the ground side of batt. Batt stays charged up now.
Mike

 

[gator919]

Re: voltage drain

thanks for all of the great feedback