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Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Discussion of batteries, chargers, wiring, generators, distribution panels, battery switches, etc.

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Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Postby Viper » March 1st, 2018, 8:43 pm

It's likely you have bad batteries or a poor battery cable connection somewhere, either at the batteries or starter, or grounds on the blocks. Check all the connections, make sure they are clean, free from corrosion, and tight.

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Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Postby bud37 » March 1st, 2018, 8:45 pm

Just saw your post Viper as was writing, I agree.....

After rereading all this ,it appears you have one good new battery...if so, can you just put that battery in where one of the others is and try to start with that known good battery.....just put the battery switch in the position for that good battery.....if those others were submerged at any point they are scrap.....batteries are fairly cheap in the scheme of things.....you most definitely need known good ones to see what is going on for sure.
The above is strictly my opinion always based on years of doing...remember to support local business , it pays back.

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Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Postby tomschauer » March 1st, 2018, 11:09 pm

If the volt meter drops and they are trying to turn or clicking the solenoids then your neutral safety circuit is ok. As Bud and Viper mention, it is most likely either bad connections or bad batteries.
Disconnect all of the cables, grounds first, take a bit of sandpaper to the battery posts and the cable connectors until they are clean and shiny. Reconnect positive first and firmly tighten all connections.
Poor or dirty connections can pass voltage but fail to pass the amperage required to turn a motor over.
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Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Postby mjk1040 » March 2nd, 2018, 12:54 am

Batteries Junk! Or ur cables "R"!
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Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Postby RGrew176 » March 2nd, 2018, 2:02 am

Just to add another possibility. I once had a car that started up as it should. Noticed it getting harder to start and finally one day it would not start, nothing. Looked at all the connections. All were clean and clear of any corrosion. Finally I took my pocket knife and sliced a bit of the cable covering off. The positive cable was full of corrosion about 1/2" from the connector and about 2" of cable was green with corrosion.

I replaced the cable and all was fine after that. Apparently the corrosion was blocking any electrical current. May not be your problem but worth a look if nothing else is found.
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Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Postby km1125 » March 2nd, 2018, 2:31 pm

Definitely sounds like either the batteries are toast or they have corroded connections.

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Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Postby PJHoffnet » March 2nd, 2018, 4:28 pm

I'll just toss this out ... my FireBoy system had a short in it that prevented (wouldn't allow) the engines from starting. They would 'crank' which may be 'further' than you're getting right now, but they wouldn't turn over and run. Just a thought, maybe the batteries are ok, but some other 'safety' feature is preventing the starting?
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Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Postby km1125 » March 2nd, 2018, 8:23 pm

RGrew176 wrote:Source of the post
I replaced the cable and all was fine after that. Apparently the corrosion was blocking any electrical current. May not be your problem but worth a look if nothing else is found.

Also, when checking connections, don't forget the battery ground connections on the engine(s)
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Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Postby RickieT » March 3rd, 2018, 12:22 pm

Will do...thanks everyone!!!
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Re: Engines won't start!!! Batteries?

Postby RickieT » March 9th, 2018, 4:01 pm

Bought a new starter battery and a new 1000 deep cycle for the low low low price of $350 all in. Plopped them in and this baby started right up!!! Problem solved...

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