Engine dies....on time

[northshore]

Would this be the right time to mention as a kid, I put one of my dads steel shafted golf clubs directly across the terminals of the batery my brother was storing in the basment from his 68 Firebird?

 

[mrsrobinson]

Right, but some, like a bilge pump, do not have a breaker.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Would this be the right time to mention as a kid, I put one of my dads steel shafted golf clubs directly across the terminals of the batery my brother was storing in the basment from his 68 Firebird?

Did it, spark? Did it burn down the basement/house?

 

[northshore]

Did it, spark? Did it burn down the basement/house?

It kinda behaved like a momentary plasma torch.
I ended up holding two separate pieces of golf club at the end of it - lucky I didn't blind myself via arc flash...

 

[Scott215]

I'm not perfect I just say I turn off my battery switch and try my best not to hit anything metal with the wrench if it's in close proximity I will put a rag around the end of the wrench but I'm not perfect by any means

 

[Rivertender]

Hoping you all have a thought or 2 on my what appears to me to be.......an altetnator issue:

2 inboards
Both start nicely

20 mins run time or so and the port motor dies...dependably time wise. No gasping or choking- just shuts down.

Using emergency start, the port engine will then turn over nicely- even start for a moment- then shuts down as soon as the emergency start is released

Immediately after engine shut down, in the slip, charger shows putting 40 plus amps out to charge up the system....she's working hard using shore power.

My guess, I am thinking the alternator is not putting out-- the shore power is however topping the battery off- port engine starts beautifully next time - runs 25 mins or so and then dies.

Port engine battery not gettng any charge from the alternator and is just using up whatever it has stored to run the motor for 25 min ?

Starboard engine....no such issues.

Do you agree about the alternator? Is there a simple test to see if the alternator is working?

Appreciate your thoughts.



Big block Mercruiser
1997
Sea Ray aft cabin.

Alternator is not old at all, BUT it is FL and all mechanical gear takes a beating.

I would like to thank everyone for thier thoughts. Here's my story:

- installed a new alternator

- installed a new battery

No solution.

Called the marine mechanic.........who pretty quickly diagnosed - bad isolator - no juice coming out of it. New isiolator installed and all is good again.

Again, thanks to everyone for their help.

 

[Scott215]

Can you put a digital voltmeter from ground to the alternator to see what the alternator's putting out

 

[spikedaddy99]

To continue our education, what is an isolator?

 

[Scott215]

They allow you to control current in your electrical system. That's basically what they do