Welcome to Carver Yachts Owners Forum

We are a boating forum for owners of Carver Yachts to enthusiastically discuss all aspects of Carver Boat ownership. Whether you are looking for your first Carver or currently own one, you are sure to feel at home on CarverYachtOwners.com

You are currently viewing our board as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and access our other FREE features. By joining our free community you will have access to searching the forum topics, post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload your own photos and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

99 MerCruiser 454 L29 in Carver 406 - Failed to stay running then OK

GAS engine, transmission and generator repair and maintenance discussion forum.
User avatar

Topic author United States of America
kgarguilo
First Mate
First Mate
Posts: 165
Joined: December 5th, 2022, 2:41 pm
Vessel Info: 1999 Carver 406
Location: Mobile, AL.
Has thanked: 188 times
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: 99 MerCruiser 454 L29 in Carver 406 - Failed to stay running then OK

Postby kgarguilo » July 9th, 2023, 10:20 am

by Viper » July 9th, 2023, 9:21 am
I assume you have fresh fuel? Have you checked the filters to see if they have any water or a lot of sediment? Have you looked to see whether you have spark at a plug when the engines won't start?

Fresh Fuel
On 6/16 Took on 135 gallons of fuel between all three tanks
Aft 53 gallons of 145 gallons
Port 39 gallons of 99 gallons
Starboard 43 gallons of 99 gallons

Fuel Filters
Only about 20 hours old

No, I have not looked yet. But, they start and then drift back down to 0 RPM's. Then they run all the way back to the dock,
Kevin G.
Mobile AL - Dauphin Island Marina
1999 Carver 406

User avatar

Topic author United States of America
kgarguilo
First Mate
First Mate
Posts: 165
Joined: December 5th, 2022, 2:41 pm
Vessel Info: 1999 Carver 406
Location: Mobile, AL.
Has thanked: 188 times
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: 99 MerCruiser 454 L29 in Carver 406 - Failed to stay running then OK

Postby kgarguilo » July 9th, 2023, 10:32 am

by Midnightsun » July 9th, 2023, 9:25 am
My gut is telling me your batteries are done and engine electrical is insufficient to run them correctly. Your voltage at 12.4 if correct and taken while engines are running, is way too low, should be around 14 or better with healthy batteries and good alternators.

You pulled anchor and lost engines? The juice required to pull anchor is rather large so I assume it took everything away from the engine requirements and further drained the battery/s resulting in a no start after anchor was up.


I agree with the anchor draw and the thought. I am guessing the codes from the engines will uncover that but, the batteries are new (installed 1/30/23) and levels are full. Qty 2 Interstate Model SRM-31 Dual purpose battery & Gen Battery Interstate 24M-RD (Installed 12/28/22)
Kevin G.
Mobile AL - Dauphin Island Marina
1999 Carver 406
User avatar

Canada
bud37
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 5101
Joined: April 23rd, 2015, 10:22 pm
Has thanked: 597 times
Been thanked: 1275 times

Re: 99 MerCruiser 454 L29 in Carver 406 - Failed to stay running then OK

Postby bud37 » July 9th, 2023, 10:51 am

I can tell you that the draw from the windlass on a low battery system or one with not enough capacity will drive the engine ecms nuts. Good practice is to have the engines running while running the windlass at slightly over idle for that reason unless you have a large battery bank with lots of reserve capacity.

I agree with the others and as I mentioned earlier that the 12.4 volts is a serious concern....also only 13.8 approx with engines running needs to be investigated, new batteries or not, something is amiss or not connected properly.
FWIW.....The above is just my opinion.
User avatar

United States of America
km1125
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 3607
Joined: February 28th, 2017, 6:04 pm
Has thanked: 75 times
Been thanked: 1084 times

Re: 99 MerCruiser 454 L29 in Carver 406 - Failed to stay running then OK

Postby km1125 » July 9th, 2023, 10:56 am

kgarguilo wrote:Source of the post
[b]NOTE: Voltage again was at 12.4 at Helm Garmin on the way back was up to 13.8


To me, this is a pretty key piece of data. That the Garmin was showing 13.8 while you were cruising means it's reading the battery voltage pretty good. might be off a little, but it's close. That means the reading at 12.4 was pretty accurate and does mean the batteries were pretty discharged.

On the batteries... Where they EVER discharged till dead? When was the last time they were tested? You might go through all the connections (both positive and NEGATIVE) and make sure they are all clean and tight.

If, while cruising, you were still reading 12.x something then I'd just think there was some extra voltage drop to the Garmin, and not anything unusual, OR that you had a charging problem, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
User avatar

Canada
bud37
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 5101
Joined: April 23rd, 2015, 10:22 pm
Has thanked: 597 times
Been thanked: 1275 times

Re: 99 MerCruiser 454 L29 in Carver 406 - Failed to stay running then OK

Postby bud37 » July 9th, 2023, 11:03 am

Perhaps the alts are not functioning or check those circuits for isolators/ charge management devices.......should see well over 14.5 volts charging from engine alts, even higher on low batteries.
FWIW.....The above is just my opinion.
User avatar

United States of America
km1125
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 3607
Joined: February 28th, 2017, 6:04 pm
Has thanked: 75 times
Been thanked: 1084 times

Re: 99 MerCruiser 454 L29 in Carver 406 - Failed to stay running then OK

Postby km1125 » July 9th, 2023, 11:42 am

bud37 wrote:Source of the post Perhaps the alts are not functioning or check those circuits for isolators/ charge management devices.......should see well over 14.5 volts charging from engine alts, even higher on low batteries.

Not sure I 100% agree with this. I've don't think I've ever seen much over 14.2 VDC on any of the boat's I've had.

But, the OP should verify that BOTH engines are charging when running. Start each engine alone and see if the battery voltage gets above 13V. It's possible only ONE of the engines is supplying charging while both are running but you won't know it unless you test them individually.
User avatar

Topic author United States of America
kgarguilo
First Mate
First Mate
Posts: 165
Joined: December 5th, 2022, 2:41 pm
Vessel Info: 1999 Carver 406
Location: Mobile, AL.
Has thanked: 188 times
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: 99 MerCruiser 454 L29 in Carver 406 - Failed to stay running then OK

Postby kgarguilo » July 9th, 2023, 12:48 pm

I will answer all in the order to avoid many entries:
by bud37 » July 9th, 2023, 10:51 am
I can tell you that the draw from the windlass on a low battery system or one with not enough capacity will drive the
engine ecms nuts. Good practice is to have the engines running while running the windlass at slightly over idle for that
reason unless you have a large battery bank with lots of reserve capacity.

I typically motor forward as I raise the anchor and neutral as I get closer to above anchor to raise it the rest of the way typically 30-40 of water. I understand what you are saying here through.
I agree with the others and as I mentioned earlier that the 12.4 volts is a serious concern....also only 13.8
approx with engines running needs to be investigated, new batteries or not, something is amiss or not
connected properly.

Guessing the Computer will say for sure what is going on.

by km1125 » July 9th, 2023, 10:56 am
To me, this is a pretty key piece of data. That the Garmin was showing 13.8 while you were cruising means it's reading
the battery voltage pretty good. might be off a little, but it's close. That means the reading at 12.4 was pretty
accurate and does mean the batteries were pretty discharged.


Agreed that is why I posted it seems like it should have been higher like 13.8

On the batteries... Where they EVER discharged till dead? When was the last time they were tested? You might go through all the connections (both positive and NEGATIVE) and make sure they are all clean and tight.


These batteries have always performed great and never even close to full discharge. I can test them on Monday as I have a tester. Last week I went through and looked and connections on all three batteries positive and negative, all are very clean and tight. No corrosion anywhere.

If, while cruising, you were still reading 12.x something then I'd just think there was some extra voltage drop to
the Garmin, and not anything unusual, OR that you had a charging problem, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Agreed

by bud37 » July 9th, 2023, 11:03 am

Perhaps the alts are not functioning or check those circuits for isolators/ charge management devices.......should see well over 14.5 volts charging from engine alts, even higher on low batteries.


This task may be over my head. If it comes to this I think I will let an expert handle this one.

by km1125 » July 9th, 2023, 11:42 am

bud37 wrote:
Source of the post Perhaps the alts are not functioning or check those circuits for isolators/ charge management devices.......should see well over 14.5 volts charging from engine alts, even higher on low batteries.

Not sure I 100% agree with this. I've don't think I've ever seen much over 14.2 VDC on any of the boat's I've had.


But, the OP should verify that BOTH engines are charging when running. Start each engine alone and see if the battery voltage gets above 13V. It's possible only ONE of the engines is supplying charging while both are running but you won't know it unless you test them individually.


I can do this on Monday as well and report back. I am guessing it would not matter what battery I am on as long as I start and run one engine and monitor the Helm gauges for over 13 volts, correct?

Thank you all, this is such a great group. Have a great afternoon
Kevin G.
Mobile AL - Dauphin Island Marina
1999 Carver 406
User avatar

Canada
bud37
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 5101
Joined: April 23rd, 2015, 10:22 pm
Has thanked: 597 times
Been thanked: 1275 times

Re: 99 MerCruiser 454 L29 in Carver 406 - Failed to stay running then OK

Postby bud37 » July 9th, 2023, 2:08 pm

km1125 wrote:Source of the post Not sure I 100% agree with this. I've don't think I've ever seen much over 14.2 VDC on any of the boat's I've had.

You probably did see just that , Knowing you from here I am guessing you always had a properly charged good condition bank and system, then that is what you would see approximately. Charge voltage will always fluctuate with battery state of charge and system integrity.....no debate, he needs to cross some things off the list then we will all see after his guy checks things out.....at this point it is all assumptions and speculation.
FWIW.....The above is just my opinion.
User avatar

Topic author United States of America
kgarguilo
First Mate
First Mate
Posts: 165
Joined: December 5th, 2022, 2:41 pm
Vessel Info: 1999 Carver 406
Location: Mobile, AL.
Has thanked: 188 times
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: 99 MerCruiser 454 L29 in Carver 406 - Failed to stay running then OK

Postby kgarguilo » July 9th, 2023, 6:23 pm

I was able to make it up to the boat today. I think I see what is going on but would love the input of the folks on this thread to offer input.

One Drive Folder - https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsUXzq27eR2fgrtFI3Thi5fdYVyFOA?e=Q9RSkF

My Pics form today, I hope they make sense in the order I took them and the story it tells is as follows:
• Checked Battery 1 = In the green zone GOOD
• Checked Battery 2 = In the green zone GOOD
• Checked Battery 3 GEN = In the green zone GOOD But lower than the other 2 batteries

Before starting the first (Starboard) engine, I noticed after being on the house charger for well over 24 hours, the voltage at the Garmin (Direct connect to Battery 1) the voltage was at 12.7V. After starting it went up to 13.6 on the way to 14.0 V being charged by the Alternator. The voltmeter indicates over 14V. Of course, the house charger (60 Amp Charles Charger) while the engine was running is at “0” as expected. I then turned off the starboard engine.

Next, I moved to the Port Engine, the voltmeter also indicates over 14V. The Garmin reflects 13.8 V and then up to 14V.

Next, I started both Engines looks like the helm gauge is higher closer to Port 14.6 / Starboard 14.4ish? The Garmin is solid on 14V.

Two videos on the folder also watch the Garmin.
:19 second video After engines off – Watch voltage go down to 13.2 V and stop there.
1:19 Video while engines running watch Voltage go up

I also learned and is visible on pics a #6 cable runs off of battery 1 to the helm that powers directly Stereo, Amps, Garmin, etc.

I am guessing, the charger is not fulfilling its obligation to keep the batteries up to a higher voltage of 13.8 or higher.
Kevin G.
Mobile AL - Dauphin Island Marina
1999 Carver 406

United States of America
tomschauer
CYO Supporter
CYO Supporter
Posts: 2323
Joined: March 28th, 2016, 10:52 pm
Vessel Info: 1998 Carver 355
Suspicious Fishes !
2022 Kawasaki 310X
Location: upper chesapeake bay
Has thanked: 326 times
Been thanked: 601 times

Re: 99 MerCruiser 454 L29 in Carver 406 - Failed to stay running then OK

Postby tomschauer » July 9th, 2023, 8:11 pm

If that Charles Charger is original, keep an eye on it. They usually tend to overcharge and cook your batteries when they are on the way out.

Return to “Gas Engines/Transmissions”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google Adsense [Bot] and 64 guests