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Spark when hooking up Negative Terminal

Discussion of batteries, chargers, wiring, generators, distribution panels, battery switches, etc.
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Topic author United States of America
bbagin1969
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Spark when hooking up Negative Terminal

Postby bbagin1969 » April 19th, 2025, 11:14 am

Hello (Again)! lol

Boat was sitting all winter, and rainwater got into the engine area and filled up my bilges pretty high.

After replacing all three batteries with brand new ones, I was hooking the wires up the same way as I took them off.

The last battery, which had a predominantly black wire with a little orange line in it, started sparking.

It may have been one of the bilges kicking on, but the batteries were turned off. I tried leaving it on to see if I could hear water pumping out.

I hear a click near the battery switches, and am thinking it blew the fuse there. Does anyone know why this would happen?

Thank you in advance.
Brian
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Re: Spark when hooking up Negative Terminal

Postby bud37 » April 19th, 2025, 12:21 pm

Sounds like you completed a circuit.....bilge pumps are generally wired direct to the batteries around the switch so that you cant isolate them while away......the pumps need to be available all the time. Check the line for a fuse.

By the looks of things there in that pic some terminal cleaning is in order... ;-)
FWIW.....The above is just my opinion.
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g36
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Re: Spark when hooking up Negative Terminal

Postby g36 » April 20th, 2025, 8:56 am

That 2 wire twin wire is a add on for something. Carver or any other boat manufacturer wouldn't have used that type originally with that red and red,/black pair to the battery. can you trace it to somewhere, through a wall or helm?. It could connect to multiple things. taking this into account what about your battery charger? Do you have a multi bank charger? Owner installed Fume detector? Nmea backbone , co monitor, radio or amp? Post what you find . I'll second the need for some cleaning.
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Crusader xli
The Black Pearl
Soddy Daisy Tn.
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Topic author United States of America
bbagin1969
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Vessel Info: Carver 1989 34' Santego
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Re: Spark when hooking up Negative Terminal

Postby bbagin1969 » April 21st, 2025, 10:00 am

Thanks, This is my battery charger. I will be cleaning and posting updated pics. I am also ordering a new battery bank charger. Any suggestions?
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