voltage/power lose when adjust outdrive trim

[john cole]

on my 1985 4.3L with point system ignition, i lose power when adjusting the motor trim, regain it after i let off of the trim button. I also noticed last night my lights pulsing abit at idle or just above it (not at speed). i will also say i'm on both batteries right now, one is a regular starter battery and the other is a deep cycle. the battery and wire connections all appear ok. is this normal for a point ignition setup or do i have gremlin at work somewhere?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: voltage/power lose when adjust outdrive trim

despite appearances, you probably have a bad/corroded connection at your battery, cables or block ground.

Your alternator probably puts out 50 or 60 amps, but your trim motor can draw 100+ amps, so it needs juice from the battery. If it doesn't get it, the whole electrical system goes flat, cutting ignition.

that pulsing light also indicates the capacitance effect of your batteries is not there. If you theoretically were to run without batteries, you would see a lot of pulsing from most alternators, as they don't rectify to perfect DC, it is smoothed DC ripple.

 

[john cole]

Re: voltage/power lose when adjust outdrive trim

hmmm, figures, god i hate chasing electrical gremlins:facepalm:, thanks for the tip

 

[bruceb58]

Re: voltage/power lose when adjust outdrive trim

Check the connection down at the starter. Actually need to take them off and inspect/clean. I had same symptoms and that is where mine ended up being.