UPDATE: Battery/Starting Problems

rangerdog · Aug 24, 2009

Since breaking my shoulder a year ago I have let my batteries go so they won't charge up and won't hold a charge so I got two new batteries on Saturday. Optima Blue Tops the same that were in the boat. So I hooked them up and the electronics work but the Motor wont crank. Its the old starter motor clicking or spinning with out engaging. I have two guesses

1) that I need to clean the cable terminals and make them all shiny and reconnect them

or

2) Perhaps the batteries came with out a full charge.

I haven't put my Smart Charger on them yet as I am still brain storming. The boat it spit polished, oiled, and raring to go to the CBBT area for Labor Day.

Any of you smart, good looking guys or gals got any further battery advice?

John[/b]

BradV · Aug 24, 2009

Sounds like you have the two main options already. You would think that with two of them that they would be able to make enough power to at least turn the motor over. I would venture to say that your terminals need a good scrub and make sure that they are making good contact and nice and snug.

BradV · Aug 24, 2009

After rereading your post have you let your motor sit for that entire year as well? I would imagine thats going to need some TLC as well depending on what kind and year of motor.

rangerdog · Aug 24, 2009

Yeah, I know. :roll: It is a 2003 F225. Freshly tuned and oiled and stabilized when I put her to bed.

Bryan 2530 · Aug 24, 2009

The old optimas are probably fine, I would check the main engine ground.

rangerdog · Sep 3, 2009

I took a brass wire wheel on a small drill and cleaned/buffed all the battery connections and the 1-both-2 selector connections. (After fighting a wasp's nest, man do they make those things fast!) Reconnected everything and wham! Everything works like new.

I am headed down the Fort Monroe on Saturday for a weekend fishing the Bridge Tunnels.

John