sk16
New Member
It's a long story so here it goes...
OK, last week I decided to go down to the Eastbourne Airshow. Over recent months I've had problems with my batteries but never been a problem after charging.
Onto the boat, do the checks, ready to go, turn the key, success, she's started as usual (battery charged was on since last weekend). I noticed the red light on the charger which means that the batteries are on fast charge (green = maintain) but she started never the less. Get to the fuel pontoon, fill her up, pay (don't forget this), back on the boat and turn the key .... dead (not even turning over). Did a few checks, topped up the battery water but unable to charge on the fuel pontton so head off to the Marina office where they kindly leant me their jump starter, attach if to the first battery, turn the key and she starts first time. Return the jump start kit and head on out for a couple of hours (but don't turn the engine off). Anyway back at the Marina the next day to purchase 2 new batteries. Pay for 2 batteries but then only one in stock. Fine, take one battery back to the boat and replace the battery that was most empty when I topped up the previous day (it was also the harder one to get at so I thought I'd do the difficult one first).
Battery successfully replaced, turn on charger and go home. Back 2 days later, collect 2nd new battery but had no time to install as we wanted to get out to the Airshow and I'd do it later. Besides when I checked the charger the green light was on (e.g. batteries fully charged and charger on 'maintain'). She starts beautifully (probably better than anytime in the last few months), we leave our berth and head for the lock. It's packed and we're in the middle at the front. I'm confident we'll start when needed but.....turn the key and dead, nothing. Successfully manage to let all other boats out the lock and I change the second old battery for the new one, battery clamp nut and bolt rusted and broke off. Back to the very helpful marina staff to get a new bolt and nut. Successfully installed, stand clear, turn the key and...nothing / dead.
The previous day I went out and purchased one of those magic jump start kits in anticipation of this so get the jump start kit, attach to the battery, turn it on, turn the key and ... nothing / dead. I can't believe it! This is a heavy duty jump starter with 900amp boost.
Eventually get up the courage to go to the Marina office and ask for a tow back to the berth. They said have you tried a jump start and I said no (because I know of their magic battery). A kind staff member brings the jump starter, attach it, stand cleat, turn the key and perfect, starts first time (puzzled!). Anyway we went out to the airshow and again didn't turn off the engine for a few hours.
After getting back to our berth turned off, had a drink, fitted all the canvasses back on again and about 1 hour later though I'd try and start and see what happens (I did not plug the electricity in so charger not on). She starts perfectly no problems. I also noticed my GPS reporting the bettery voltage at 14.2 - 14.3 while we were out which is about normal for my boat).
SO now Ihave left the battery charger off for the week and when I'm down next weekend willl try and start and see what happens.
So after my long story does anyone have any ideas / suggestions on what the problem might me / have been (hopefully) and why my new jump starter did not work. I can only assume I did not connect the metal parts to the batter but that's hard to believe as the clamps are quite stiff.
Any advise is greatfully received.
OK, last week I decided to go down to the Eastbourne Airshow. Over recent months I've had problems with my batteries but never been a problem after charging.
Onto the boat, do the checks, ready to go, turn the key, success, she's started as usual (battery charged was on since last weekend). I noticed the red light on the charger which means that the batteries are on fast charge (green = maintain) but she started never the less. Get to the fuel pontoon, fill her up, pay (don't forget this), back on the boat and turn the key .... dead (not even turning over). Did a few checks, topped up the battery water but unable to charge on the fuel pontton so head off to the Marina office where they kindly leant me their jump starter, attach if to the first battery, turn the key and she starts first time. Return the jump start kit and head on out for a couple of hours (but don't turn the engine off). Anyway back at the Marina the next day to purchase 2 new batteries. Pay for 2 batteries but then only one in stock. Fine, take one battery back to the boat and replace the battery that was most empty when I topped up the previous day (it was also the harder one to get at so I thought I'd do the difficult one first).
Battery successfully replaced, turn on charger and go home. Back 2 days later, collect 2nd new battery but had no time to install as we wanted to get out to the Airshow and I'd do it later. Besides when I checked the charger the green light was on (e.g. batteries fully charged and charger on 'maintain'). She starts beautifully (probably better than anytime in the last few months), we leave our berth and head for the lock. It's packed and we're in the middle at the front. I'm confident we'll start when needed but.....turn the key and dead, nothing. Successfully manage to let all other boats out the lock and I change the second old battery for the new one, battery clamp nut and bolt rusted and broke off. Back to the very helpful marina staff to get a new bolt and nut. Successfully installed, stand clear, turn the key and...nothing / dead.
The previous day I went out and purchased one of those magic jump start kits in anticipation of this so get the jump start kit, attach to the battery, turn it on, turn the key and ... nothing / dead. I can't believe it! This is a heavy duty jump starter with 900amp boost.
Eventually get up the courage to go to the Marina office and ask for a tow back to the berth. They said have you tried a jump start and I said no (because I know of their magic battery). A kind staff member brings the jump starter, attach it, stand cleat, turn the key and perfect, starts first time (puzzled!). Anyway we went out to the airshow and again didn't turn off the engine for a few hours.
After getting back to our berth turned off, had a drink, fitted all the canvasses back on again and about 1 hour later though I'd try and start and see what happens (I did not plug the electricity in so charger not on). She starts perfectly no problems. I also noticed my GPS reporting the bettery voltage at 14.2 - 14.3 while we were out which is about normal for my boat).
SO now Ihave left the battery charger off for the week and when I'm down next weekend willl try and start and see what happens.
So after my long story does anyone have any ideas / suggestions on what the problem might me / have been (hopefully) and why my new jump starter did not work. I can only assume I did not connect the metal parts to the batter but that's hard to believe as the clamps are quite stiff.
Any advise is greatfully received.
