julians
Well-Known Member
Thanks all, ill report back on the solution
Battery question
- Thread starter julians
- Start date
Sailorsam101
Well-Known Member
Just had this on my targa 33.
I have three batteries...1 to start the stb engine only and two to start the port and service all electrics. The port engine would start fine and fun for hours..then stop overnight and run lights..tv..fridge etc and in the morning the port engine could not turn over.
After lots of messing about i found out that one of the port batteries had lost a cell..the fact it is linked to another would hide any voltage issue.
But two new batteries and its all good now.
I have three batteries...1 to start the stb engine only and two to start the port and service all electrics. The port engine would start fine and fun for hours..then stop overnight and run lights..tv..fridge etc and in the morning the port engine could not turn over.
After lots of messing about i found out that one of the port batteries had lost a cell..the fact it is linked to another would hide any voltage issue.
But two new batteries and its all good now.
simonfraser
Well-Known Member
The battery with a lost cell, what was the voltage vs the good one ?
Sailorsam101
Well-Known Member
Once i split the batteries apart one had 10.5v on it and the other 12.5..but i changed both as they were both 4 years old.
The other thing i noticed after the event was that while running with the old batteries they were charging at just under 13v..then change them and now when at speed they charge at about 13.5v ish
The other thing i noticed after the event was that while running with the old batteries they were charging at just under 13v..then change them and now when at speed they charge at about 13.5v ish
CLB
Well-Known Member
My diesel van does this occasionally. Park it up and turn engine off, come back as little as a couple of hours later and the battery is flat. Charge it up and it is fine for a few months, and will then do it again without any warning. I suspect it is a problem with the starter or alternator taking a huge current. I'd probably find one of them quite hot if I touched them, which I really should try next time.
Try charging the battery and seeing what happens. If it is genuinely dead it either wont take a charge, or it will go flat again very quickly. If you can check for current flow during and after the charge by using a clamp meter on the battery lead, that will tell you if something is dragging the battery down.
Try charging the battery and seeing what happens. If it is genuinely dead it either wont take a charge, or it will go flat again very quickly. If you can check for current flow during and after the charge by using a clamp meter on the battery lead, that will tell you if something is dragging the battery down.
julians
Well-Known Member
I ran the boat for a few hours and immediately attempted to restart using the 'dead' battery,but the engine wouldnt turn over, so assuming my charging circuit is working the battery wouldnt even take a charge.
Im assuming its a dead battery, but will feedback for completeness when i know for sure.
simonfraser
Well-Known Member
Tnx, will make a note.
Dabhand
Well-Known Member
Batteries can fail quicker than overnight, it has happened to me twice many years ago, once in a car (it was a Morris Marina, so not too surprising!) the other time in a boat. The first time I stopped outside a friend's house for less than five minutes and despite the engine starting perfectly at home and driving for a few minutes, on attempting to restart, the battery was completely dead. Luckily he lived on a long steepish hill so a bump start worked fine. I tried charging the battery at home with no luck.
The second time I was drifting off Berry Head during an after work session trying to catch a few mackerel. Had three or four short drifts and the engine (50hp Merc.) started cleanly each time, at the end of another drift it was dead. I wiggled the throttle because if it is left in gear the engine will not start, no luck. Switched on the nav. lights and they lit like a dead glowworm in a jam jar, the power tilt wouldn't even click let alone move the engine. A charge at home proved the battery was no more.
The second time I was drifting off Berry Head during an after work session trying to catch a few mackerel. Had three or four short drifts and the engine (50hp Merc.) started cleanly each time, at the end of another drift it was dead. I wiggled the throttle because if it is left in gear the engine will not start, no luck. Switched on the nav. lights and they lit like a dead glowworm in a jam jar, the power tilt wouldn't even click let alone move the engine. A charge at home proved the battery was no more.
julians
Well-Known Member
Just to close this one off, it was indeed a failed battery, no issues with alternator/charging etc.
New battery fitted and all is well.
New battery fitted and all is well.
mil1194
Well-Known Member
Exactly the same here - but it was a case of stopping for fuel in the services, 10mins later it was as dead as a dodo. It does happen.
