[SCW920]

Just picked up a 24' Wellcraft with a 225 OX66. Here's my problem. It is equipped with a Perko switch and runs 2 12v batteries in series. The motor and washdown pump are the only two things "hard wired" but they still only work when the perko is on. I can't get anything else to come on besides those two things. Everything worked fine when I was looking at the boat. I know the batteries are not in the best shape though. We switched all kinds of used batteries around while I was looking at it. Checked them individually last night and one read 11.8v and the other 11.5v under no load. So like I said motor trim works along with washdown pump but thats it. I did get the radio/vhf to come on randomly for a couple minutes but it cut out every time I touched the motor trim and came back as soon as I let off. I checked the voltage of all the grounds on the inside of the console and everything was getting power (~11.5v). My guess is that the batteries are shot but only thing about that is the trim and washdown still work. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[lobsterman]

It could be in the switch itself. I had one fail. It could also be corrosion on some of the connections too.

 

[SCW920]

The fuses have corrosion build up in the box that feeds the perko also. I dont get it, it worked fine the other day.

 

[TheCaptKen]

11.8 is a dead battery. 12.8 is charged, 12.4 is 50%

 

[SCW920]

But the trim works and so does the wash down. Maybe going through the perko it takes some power. I just hooked up a jump box to the batteries and within a minute they started smelling like they were burning.

 

[CootCommander]

Sounds like you have a loose/bad connection somewhere.

 

[Ocean Master]

The back of the battery switches could also be corroded like the fuse box. It sounds like it needs a full check up of the boats wiring system. Even though a battery reads voltage it can still have dead cells and not put out enough amps to power the systems. It could read 13 volts and still be no good.

 

[cbigcarl]

Also check the condition of your battery cables. If they are crunchy when you bend them they are bad. I had this problem with a jumper wire on the neg side of the battery.

 

[sealark]

If you checked the batteries at the battery and get 11.8 they are bad or need a charge badly or best to replace them. Or just put a single battery into the system that is good and test with that first.

 

[SCW920]

Just replaced the batteries and still nothing. I'm getting good voltage at the wiring boards inside the console. Im stumped.

 

[X-Shark]

I've seen this before. Still have the scrap battery cables laying in my shop.

Bring it to me if you want it fixed and or upgraded also.


Upgrade:

http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/f21/perko-switch-questions-85302/

 

[SCW920]

What would you charge to fix/upgrade? It's something simple I'm just not an electrician