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I have hung out here for awhile, posted a few things and made some comments that past year or so. Had trouble logging in, so had to change my name. I purchased new 170 in May of 2020 and haven’t had any issues. Had the boat out last Sunday, and all was fine, and then Friday afternoon, battery was nearly dead. Boat wouldn’t turn over, and couldn’t raise the engine (170hp Merc 4 stroke). I put the charger on it for about two hours, and took it out Friday night and it was fine.
I am electrically and electronically challenged (stupid) but I disconnected the negative cable, and put my volt meter on, and something is drawing power. I have a friend who is an electrical engineer with vast experience in electronics help me out here. But was wondering a few things.
So the two bilge pumps are always “live” so would they be drawing some power? My friend should be able to determine how much current is being drawn? But how much is typical?
I am charging the battery overnight, and will have it tested to see if it is the problem.
Also, when I turn the ignition to on, just prior to starting, there is about buzz that from the engine for about 5 seconds. Not sure if that is typical, as generally I turn it to on, and then to start right away. I don’t have a radio or anything that has to have the ignition in order to operate, such as a sound system or special lights.
Sorry if this isn’t much to go on, I don’t even have enough experience to ask the right questions. Give me a set of blue prints, and a piles of lumber and materials, and I could build a house easier than diagnosing electronics.
I did talk with my local dealer, in Hamilton Ohio, back in late April, about a few little warranty details, but didn’t want to schedule it for service at that time. I wouldn’t want to take up the mechanics time for the little things, when some other poor guy’s boat is working or safe. I always leave the main power switch on, as I store my boat in my garage and the engine down gives me a little more room to maneuver around it. I will just start turning it off.
Please let us know what your problem was for not knowing your prior username or password.
I have deleted Monty170 and combined it with your original username of " Adam Zengel".
Any member cannot have 2 accounts as is obviously disastrous.
Not sure about your password at this time because of our security software.
If you have problems changing your password, please let us know. https://www.whalercentral.com/lostpas...ssword.php
So, last night with my friends help, we learned that the two bilge pumps, the fuel sender and switch indicator are drawing power even though the ignition is turned off. (The wires are all labeled).
I have also noticed that the Raymarine MFD draws some power, even when it is “turned off”. I say “turned off” as it is powered down, but the light in the lower RH corner is still red. I don’t recall that always being the case, so I am wondering if it is somehow in some sort of “Stand By” mode?
I am wondering if I may have left the MFD on between my two outings, which was about 5 days, and that is what caused the drain? I’ve had the boat for over a year, and this is the first issue. I have not turned off the main switch when I am not using the boat, and there were times when it sat in the garage for weeks on end.
I have no problem turning the switch off, if that is what I have to do, but I am perplexed that it just started.
I will start to use the master power switch going forward. Thanks for your help! Heading down to the Gulf Coast on Sunday. Hopefully Fred won’t join us.
