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Posts: 69
| Everything was functioning perfectly in my boat this spring, but now the last couple times out I've been having some issues. I had my batteries fully charged, but when I took the boat out and started it up the motor barely turned over and the low voltage alarm sounded. The motor still turned over enough to start, but just barely. From then on every time I would fire up the motor it would do the same thing. I did some searching on other forums and almost everyone said check all the connections. I did so, and now when I turn the key over about 3 out of 4 times it is fine, but the other 1 out of 4 times the voltage drops from 12-13V to 7-8V while starting and the voltage alarm goes off. I took my batteries into Autozone and tested them and they are fine, they are both less than a year old. I also had the onboard charger tested and that is working fine also (it is only about 6 months old.) Does anybody have any ideas? I am horrible with any electrical or wiring issues, so forgive my ignorance. The only other idea I had based on what I've read is that maybe the starter on the outboard is going bad? Although the motor still starts fine and hasn't shown any other symptoms of the starter failing. Thanks in advance for any help. |
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I would have your charging system checked on the engine itself. If the charging system on the engine is going bad, I could see the potential of the battery running down a bit quicker than you might normally see...whether it is drawing power when not in use for some reason, or you have enough electronics in use that after some time on the water, the battery is just running low.
This could be a potential issue, especially if it is a starting battery and not a dual purpose or deep cycle, as the starter battery is designed to have quicker discharge and quicker recharge cycles.
Something more to check at least...
Steve |
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Posts: 29
| I second the starter being the culprit |
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Posts: 90
| I sometimes forget and leave my key in the ignition in the "on" position. That kills the battery. |
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Posts: 5874
| is it OK the first 3 times, and then the 4th time it doesn't start? How far apart are these attempts? It's possible the starter is getting hot, and then finally won't turn over. Or it could be the battery. I'd load check the battery. If that's OK. I'd have the starter checked out. |
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Posts: 1096
Location: Hayward, WI | I would check the motor battery cables and ends. |
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Outboard drawing battery down