Engine Starting Problem - what clicking mean?

[snowleopard]

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When fully charged my batteries show between 14 and 15 volts.

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If you check the voltage of a battery immediately after charging it will show up to 14 v temporarily but that will soon drop as the battery returns to its normal state. A fully charged battery will give 12.8v and 12.2 is half charged. Batteries deteriorate if allowed to regularly go below half charge, i.e. a 100AH battery can only give 50AH regularly.

If a battery gets more than 14.4v during charging it can be damaged and will probably give off explosive hydrogen gas.

As far as the starter is concerned, I'll bet it's a Yanmar as both of mine have done that since they were a few months old. I have cleaned terminals and checked solenoid movement but the only thing that really does the job is to add a bit more voltage from another battery.

 

[KREW2]

I had exactly the same problem last year. I am prepared to wager you have a faulty earth connection. I have a large butterfly nut next to the battery boxes which is a common earth, it looked ok but, I was able to give it a turn by hand. It was duly tightened with a pair of grips and a spanner, all has been ok since.

 

[Chris_Robb]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
When fully charged my batteries show between 14 and 15 volts.

[/ QUOTE ]
If you check the voltage of a battery immediately after charging it will show up to 14 v temporarily but that will soon drop as the battery returns to its normal state. A fully charged battery will give 12.8v and 12.2 is half charged. Batteries deteriorate if allowed to regularly go below half charge, i.e. a 100AH battery can only give 50AH regularly.

If a battery gets more than 14.4v during charging it can be damaged and will probably give off explosive hydrogen gas.

As far as the starter is concerned, I'll bet it's a Yanmar as both of mine have done that since they were a few months old. I have cleaned terminals and checked solenoid movement but the only thing that really does the job is to add a bit more voltage from another battery.

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I regularly charge to 14.8V, - yes there will be hydrogen, but I think that you will not get a fully charged battery at only 14.4V. I have to replace water quite often.

Luckily hydrogen, being lighter than air tends to go upwards, so provided you vent the top of the battery boxes, explosion should not be a problem............. One hopes!

 

[fuss]

It could be the starter motor or the solenoid or loose connections. However if it is not these and the engine is a few years old it could be voltage drop due to old wiring. To cure this you need to find the source of the voltage drop, this is possibly the wire from the start relay to the solenoid. Please let us know what turned out to be the problem.

 

[DaveParry]

That's a fantastic load of suggestions everyone, thanks. I will certainly check the connections first, and the voltages at the other end of the cables. It sounds like the batteries are a bit below fully charged, so I either need a new battery which holds charge better or a small solar panel to keep it topped up.

If all else fails, I'll get the solenoid and/or started motor off and invest in a service for them or a replacement if necessary. It's funny how something seems a lot less expensive from the perspective of being out at sea with a young family, becalmed and miles from home!

Thanks again everyone for all your help.

 

[mcframe]

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Clicking indicates a pre-engaged type starter

Clicking indicates soleniod has activated but have not closed the main internal contacts which carry the current to the brushes
or brushes have stuck

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Yes - it's a normal 1970s Moto-Guzzi problem.
(Gotta be the bike equivalent of a 1GM10 - it will run forever - once you know it's folibles... Are C90s related to seagulls?)

Answer is to dismantle and clean the starter-motor brushes every 5.25 years or *before* you think the battery needs replacement.