Wire ID

[woody619]

My boat has 2 batteries. One just has the regular battery connections. The other has this extra wire. Any idea what it might go to?

I've got a 26' Sea Ray, 350 Chevy Engine, Inboard w/ Pre Alpha Outdrive

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Wire ID

Possibly to the float switch on the bilge pump so it will still work if the battery cutoff switch (Perko) is in the off position. Just a guess without trying to trace the actual wiring.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Wire ID

My boat has 2 batteries. One just has the regular battery connections. The other has this extra wire. Any idea what it might go to?

I've got a 26' Sea Ray, 350 Chevy Engine, Inboard w/ Pre Alpha Outdrive

Was it connected to the positive terminal of the battery or the negative?

There is a fuse holder so the assumption is that it was connected to the positive terminal (even though it is colored black), but that leaves what is an apparently unprotected conductor leading into the split loom. You should be able to find the other end of the fuse holder and trace the wire. That still leaves you wondering what size fuse belongs in the fuse holder. The unprotected wire should concern you. Without a circuit breaker of fuse protecting the wire, it ould short out and melt or burn.

It's pretty obvious that someone has been "messing" with the wiring because those are not typical marine (waterproof) terminals on the cables and both seem to be black, not one red and one black or one red and one yellow.

I would suggest getting someone qualified in marine wiring to go over the boat and fix anything that wasn't done correctly.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Wire ID

I have to agree with Ron. That setup looks a little goofy. Not necessarily unsafe, just goofy. What is the color of the large wire inside the wire loom? You'd better trace that extra wire back to where it connects to something before hooking it up to either terminal. Who knows what the previous owner was thinking? Is there the mating side of that half of a fuse holder floating around somewhere? If so, where does THAT lead?

Another note: That's a standard automotive battery. It may not hold up in your boat. It certainly won't if you deeply discharge it.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Wire ID

might save time by checking to see if the small black wire goes to your breaker or switch for the blige pump and the fused part goes to your float switch. ( yes I know the color is wrong)

 

[woody619]

Re: Wire ID

Thanks guys! I'm gonna take it to a marine mechanic at the end of the week (payday)

Yes we, put the auto battery in there temporarily, we needed to make sure the engine started before we gave the guy our money . Too bad the outdrive doesn't lower. We have 2 batteries. The mechanic (auto) was there and was blaming our new marine battery. We rushed over to autozone real quick to make him happy. But we will be replacing that with a marine as well.

Gonna take it to a marine mechanic to hopefully get it working. Learned that the hard way. I'll get to the water one day...