PlayDate
Well-Known Member
Sounds like he is on the right track. The crimper looks like a bolt cutter because it takes a lot of pressure to compress the battery cable connectors.
One Side Electrical Problem
- Thread starter Flytrade
- Start date
Sounds like he is on the right track. The crimper looks like a bolt cutter because it takes a lot of pressure to compress the battery cable connectors.
Seapig
Active Member
- Dec 25, 2018
- 138
- Boat Info
- 12 Sundancer 310 w Axius
- Engines
- Twin 350 Mags w Bravo drives
If the battery connections on the starboard (bad) side are of the replacement style where the cable is clamped into the terminal end with a plate and bolts, your problem is likely corrosion on the cable inside the clamp.
You can use a voltmeter to find a poor connection this way. Hook the red lead to battery +. then while having an assistant attempt to crank the engine, follow the positive circuit toward the battery switch and starter probing along the way with the negative probe. You should see almost zero voltage till you get beyond the poor connection when you’ll see a voltage approaching 12. You can test the ground the same way but swap the probes.
Good luck
You can use a voltmeter to find a poor connection this way. Hook the red lead to battery +. then while having an assistant attempt to crank the engine, follow the positive circuit toward the battery switch and starter probing along the way with the negative probe. You should see almost zero voltage till you get beyond the poor connection when you’ll see a voltage approaching 12. You can test the ground the same way but swap the probes.
Good luck
Korkie
Active Member
- Feb 2, 2016
- 1,331
- Boat Info
- 2006 340 Sundancer, Garmin 7610, xHD 24 Radar, VV703, SeaStar Hydraulic Steer, Shadow Drive AP
- Engines
- Mercruiser 496 Mags
Bravo III Drives
The local West Marine has a set up for crimping new ends on battery cables. It is a "do-it-yourself" station. Just have to either make new ones or take the current ones off and go there to do it. My store did not charge for the use, just ends or cable.
Flytrade
Active Member
This relatively simple issue has taken some time to get resolved.
On day one, the mobile marine mechanic found the battery cables loose on the connectors. However, he failed to further diagnose the problem.
On day two he replaced all battery cable connections. That did not fix the problem, but was probably a good long term preventative maintenance. However, when using a jumper cable between the battery and the on-off switch, that solved the problem.
On day three he came with enough cable to rewire the battery directly to the switch. However, I looked at the wiring schematic and noted there is a connection between the battery and the switch, and suggested we check that first. Sure enough, it was corroded. A few minutes cleaning and the system worked like new.
So, for the 3 months I have had this boat I have had the "pleasure" of having two incompetent
mechanics work on the boat.
Thanks again for all your advise, which is exactly what I needed to look at the wiring schematic to find the problem.
On day one, the mobile marine mechanic found the battery cables loose on the connectors. However, he failed to further diagnose the problem.
On day two he replaced all battery cable connections. That did not fix the problem, but was probably a good long term preventative maintenance. However, when using a jumper cable between the battery and the on-off switch, that solved the problem.
On day three he came with enough cable to rewire the battery directly to the switch. However, I looked at the wiring schematic and noted there is a connection between the battery and the switch, and suggested we check that first. Sure enough, it was corroded. A few minutes cleaning and the system worked like new.
So, for the 3 months I have had this boat I have had the "pleasure" of having two incompetent
mechanics work on the boat.
Thanks again for all your advise, which is exactly what I needed to look at the wiring schematic to find the problem.
Korkie
Active Member
- Feb 2, 2016
- 1,331
- Boat Info
- 2006 340 Sundancer, Garmin 7610, xHD 24 Radar, VV703, SeaStar Hydraulic Steer, Shadow Drive AP
- Engines
- Mercruiser 496 Mags
Bravo III Drives
Glad to see you found it. In the off season, go over everything, every connection you can see and repair - clean them as needed. It will save you a ton of troubles and money. Just be sure what you are working on doesn't have any power to it, or isolate it so it doesn't short out.
liv2ryde100
Active Member
Nice work. It’s been said on here a lot but usually it’s a simple answer u just have to look for it