“Battery” error on smart craft. Need help diagnosing.

[Pecos23]

Smart Craft “Battery” error.
What does this typically indicate?


I have twin 2004, 150 Optimaxs.
Two batteries, one for each motor.


Reconnected wires and charged batteries yesterday, both port and starboard. Splashed it for the summer, ran no problem for about 15 minutes.

Today, take off and once over about 2,000 rpm’s I get a “Battery” error on smart craft and a steady beep on the Port motor.


Gauges show volts dropping into 10’s range for port motor when gaining RPM’s, 11.4 volts at idle.


Starboard motor shows 14.1 volts.


When I get back at dock, put the port battery on the charger and it’s low, starts taking a charge.
Didn’t have multimeter, but gauges showed 11.4 volts.


I’m going to clean terminals and see if that helps.


If not, what’s the next step to diagnose alternator to see if it’s charging?
Has anyone had similar issues with “Battery” error?

I’m wondering if I blew a fuse when changing the charger from batteries, it sparked a bit when I connected charger to terminals, didn’t have battery switches to “off” position.

Tks

[leonreno]

I would have the battery load tested. Most likely causes is a bad battery, bad charger or the motor is not charging the battery. Switch leads on charger to see if the charger is the problem.

[JOE54]

or swap batteries see if resolves problem very likely bad battery check all fuses also

[Pecos23]

How can I use a multimeter to check to see if the alternator is putting out proper voltage? Also, how can I check if the fusible link is bad?

[leonreno]

The voltage should be mid 13 volts to mid 14 volts on the alternator, but that might not be correct if the battery is bad.

[Pecos23]

What are the steps for diagnosing a bad alternator and or fusible link?
Please walk me through the details of the steps.
Engine running or off?
Key in the on position, or off.
Which leads are being tested?
What are the in-spec values i am looking for?
All of the comments are useful, just incomplete for a guy that that only does this when his stuff is broken!