Starboard battery issue

[brian_from_boston]

"Was finishing up the final co

"Was finishing up the final coat of Sikkens on the teak today and decided to take the 1988 29' Blackfin with Twin 454's to the fuel dock(my marina has a $.10 discount on Thursdays, today I would have paid $3.45 a gallon). The Port motor fired right up. The Starboard engine alarm did not sound with the key turned, starter would turn or engage either like there was no power. I went down to the breaker panel and found the starboard breaker when in the on position the indicator light was not lit. I tried the battery test and found the port to read 14 volts and the starboard 0. I just ran the boat a week prior (12 mile run) and had no trouble. It has been plugged in to shore power for the past 2 weeks with battery charger on. I did remove the negative from the starboard battery this week when trouble shooting another problem and noticed a blue/green crystalization on the exposed copper wire and female connector. In removing the negative, could the ground been on its last legs and I finished it off?

I didn't have the volt meter with me to check the battery posts for voltage however I did slice into the sheath and exposed about 3 inches of wire and the crystalization continued through, almost like cancer. I was able to break off the battery connection on the end, it was very brittle. I am going to replace the ground wire regardless.

Would this crystalization impede the battery from presenting a charge?

I never thought of this but the starboard motor can't start off the port battery?

Is there anything special for marine use or should I just use the automotive batter connection protective coating?

Once I straighten this issue out, I will be installing the floscans I asked you guys about earlier."

 

[fastjeff]

"It happens--though not usuall

"It happens--though not usually that bad! I'd check the rest of my cables thoroughly.

Good luck with the FloScan--great devices. If you have problems with the installation, let me know.

Jeff"

 

[brian_from_boston]

"I replaced that ground. I ho

"I replaced that ground. I however used automotive 2 wire not marine, is there a large difference between them?

A few hours with a test light and I discovered that the fuse for the starboard power had some minor corrosion that impeded contact. Felt pretty good finding that dilemma it would have been one expensive fuse if I hadn't found that. after making sure I had power at all points around the motor, I then opened up the breaker box and found I didn't have power at the starboard main breaker. I don't know if all boats do it, but blackfin numbered all the wires at each end so you can atleast find which wire is for which circuits. I figured out which wire was supposed to have power at all times and followed it to the fuse under the rear deck. This was the source of the problem. All better now, she runs again."

 

[bondo]

"[b]" I however used autom

"" I however used automotive 2 wire not marine, is there a large difference between them?"

Nope,.... Not really,..... I use Welding Cable..."