Totally Dead Boat!

[Ufatz]

Younger brother has 18' with Yamaha, twin batts up forward to power a 75lb.Minnkota and of course and on-board charger. The boat supposedly has been plugged in all winter but as of today, just unwrapped, it is DEAD as the proverbial DoDo. Before everybody over there goes nutz, is there a fuse someplace they are overlooking? Dead charger? Any quick ideas for them. The batts are only two seasons old and probably better quality if I know him.

When I say dead I mean DEAD...I guess they can't tilt motor up, cannot get a light of any kind on dash etc.

[jentz]

Have you checked the voltage of the batteries with a voltmeter?You say 2 batts up front are there any more batts for starting? What brand onboard charger? I know the ProMariners have had problems for some time.As far as fuses check the Batteries first.If they show as good,Clean any and all connections.Different boats have different fuses and systems.

[highlife4me]

Have you tested the batteries?

[Ufatz]

Okay gang. Age and experience wins again. All is fixed and well. Partial operator error (but I didn't tell 'em that) and a new starting battery. They'll be out there doing thier thing in the morning.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[jentz]

So who screwed up and where? Fess up,You asked the questions.

[Ufatz]

Actually it was the sons of the fathers. You know: those smart punked young whippersnappers who won't listen to old guys because old people are just funny looking and don't know anything anyway.

Ho Ho Ho.

So soon they learn how much old guys might know.

[tacklejunkie]

This thread is a reminder to have extra fuses on board. I blew a fuse while on LOTW and thankfully, the motor came with one spare. Now I carry at least three extras.

You never know

[h8go4s]

Would you mind explaining what the problem was and what the solution was? Someone else might learn something.

[jentz]

Silly foolish pride???

[Ufatz]

When I suggested a total check of ALL connections....and I meant really check and clean them, the problem went away. Just one of those little "boating" things I guess. But we all know how a little shabby connection can stop things.

So far as I know they be back in business. But I'd say the take-away lesson is clean connections with a little grease over them in some cases and go there FIRST when something just STOPS.

I do not know how the boat wired so can't provide any more detail than that.

[Tom7227]

the grease thing is a good idea but you should use the special grease made for electric connections, not the grease you use on the trailer bearings.

[Huskie]

Reminded me of myself....er a friend and the kill switch fiasco a few years back!!!!

[CaptainMusky]

Kill switch, throttle in a forward position, its amazing what kinds of things you forget over the winter. :-)

[jentz]

Di-Electric grease