Battery connected backwards and now no power anywhere

[Rdavis914]

I have a 95 Sport Nautique with a carburated 351 and today when I got the boat in the water the battery was not strong enough to turn the engine over. I think something was accidently left on but I borrowed a battery from someone at the ramp to try and start the boat but accidently connected the leads backwards. I know not the best or smartest thing I could have done but now i'm not reading anything up front. Where could my problem be? What might I have damaged by doing this?

I checked the breaker in the engine compartment and it appeared to be in. Is there another breaker or fuse box that i'm not aware of the could have tripped?

Thanks in advance.

[jward]

RE: Battery connected backwards and now no power anywhere

There is a large bus fuse on the red battery cable next to the starter on most boats not sure about yours. Should be though. I popped one before after doing the same thing.

[Rdavis914]

RE: Battery connected backwards and now no power anywhere

I traced the battery cable back and it went from the battery to the 60 amp breaker on the back of the engine through the starting relay and then ends at the starter. I didn't see any additional fuses.

[bchesley]

RE: Battery connected backwards and now no power anywhere

Jward his is a carb boat. I will not have the big fuse. You are going to have to start at square one. Get your voltmeter out and start tracing the wires to find where your current stops. If you have 12 volts at your battery, go to the end of the cable and see if you have it there. If you have 12 volts at the relay then move forward and so on. Something got fried you are just going to have to find it. Happy hunting!!

[Rdavis914]

RE: Battery connected backwards and now no power anywhere

That's what I was affraid the answer was. I was hoping someone had gone through this before and could point me to the path of least resistance.

[Hollywood]

Re: RE: Battery connected backwards and now no power anywher

If you have 12 volts at your battery

Start here.


Are you sure the breaker is in? Did you push it or just look at it?

So, after you installed the cables wrong, then what did you do? What batter is in it now and where did it come from?

[ffmedic74]

RE: Re: RE: Battery connected backwards and now no power any

Once you find your issue, sounds like it might be a good time to put in a 60amp breaker after the battery so it doesnt happen again in the future.

[Hollywood]

Re: RE: Battery connected backwards and now no power anywher

I traced the battery cable back and it went from the battery to the 60 amp breaker on the back of the engine through the starting relay and then ends at the starter. I didn't see any additional fuses.

[Rdavis914]

RE: Re: RE: Battery connected backwards and now no power any

I pushed on the 60 amp breaker and it didn't move so I assumed that it was not popped. Is there any way to pop it and reset it manually?

After I connected it backwards I tried connected it correctly and I get no battery indication at the on the instrument panel. There is no battery in it now but I have trickle charged it overnight and I am going to put the original battery back in.

[Rdavis914]

RE: Re: RE: Battery connected backwards and now no power any

I reconnected the battery and read out the power and followed it until I didn't have power. I have power going into the 60 amp breaker but not out of the other side. I jumpered that contact out from the starter solenoid and I then had power to the dash and starter.

I have tried pushing the breaker and it won't move at all. I'm thinking it's probably old and won't actually pop but is probably disconnected internally. I'm probably better off replacing it anyway.

Anyone have a part number for this breaker? Can I get it at any marine supply or should I go through White Lake or the local Nautique dealer for a new one?

[jward]

RE: Re: RE: Battery connected backwards and now no power any

Glad you found your problem. Bet you won't do that again.