Battery Problem

[Muz]

I posted this on the wiring electrical post, but was hoping someone here might be able to help


Bought a new cranking battery about 3 weeks ago. Last weekend in a big tournament, I had to jump it to start the motor. Running 2 graphs, and aerators on the one battery. Nothing extraordinary. Only problem is, it comes and goes.


Boat sat for the last week, went out today and it started fine.
Ran two LCx -37's for an hour and went to move and the motor started fine.
Gauge was reading approx 11.9volts before I started it and runs up around 12.7 at idle


Moved 1/3 mile down the lake and started to fish again
Fished one hour andwent to start the motor and nothing
Was showing 9.4 volts

Is this as simple as the battery is defective? Or is it something else?
Can't put a finger on it because it's intermittent?
Even once it was idling, it barely had the power at first to trim the motor down


Thanks

[Tx Champ]

Were you having the same issue with your old starting battery?

What does your battery voltage get to running at cruise or up on plane? If it's not up at 13.6 or so, you may have a charging system problem. In that case, I would post this in the forum for your engine.

Check the water level in the battery. It should be just below the neck on the fill holes and covering the plates. if you need to add water, use only distilled water. Then charge it with a good charger. After charging, let the battery return to ambient temperature then check the specific gravity of each cell.

Here is a good article on battery maintenance, care and testing. You have to scroll way down the page.

Good Luck!!

[Muz]

It is going up to around 13.6 and the old battery wasnt doind this, it was just done.


I will check the water


Thanks

[Muz]

The water is good

Covering the plates

?????

[ChampioNman]

Motor type? Wing nuts on the battery?

[Muz]

250 HPDI


Yes wing nuts


I used a mutimeter as well and the 9.5 volts was right on the posts of the battery

[ChampioNman]

You may want to post up on the Hammer forum but your best bet is to loose the wing nuts and replace them with either SS hex nuts and lock washers or SS nylon insert hex nuts. This will avoid connection problems on the battery. You can also get a specific battery tester at your local auto parts shop that will let you test the amount of charge the battery has. Pop the lids off and draw some H20 into the tester the chart will tell you how the battery is doing. If it was a John/Rude I'd say the VR is going out but I'm not a Hammer tech. Good luck!

[DEdwards]

I had the same problem...mine was a bad battery.