Battery and fuses

[John F]

I need a 12v battery to power the radio and running and cabin lights. The Johnson 6hp has an alternator also. The guy at the local West Marine said I should use a 12v starter battery. I hooked it up today and the cabin lights worked for about 5 minutes. Nothing else worked. My accessory fuse is blown (it actually broke off in the fuse thingy when I tried to unscrew it). The guy said the battery was fully charged. Do I have the wrong battery? All of the other fuses looked fine. Any ideas would be appreciated on what's wrong or how to fix.

 

[Robert Seastream]

Deep Cycle battery needed

You should have a deep cycle battery for your application. Starter batteries are called such because they're meant to deliver a large current for a short time (seconds), then they 'float' while the alternator runs everything else. Typically rated in CCA (cold cranking amps), since their primary use is for starting, not supply.Deep cycles will also start engines, but are designed with heavier lead plates and interconnecting grids, along with heavier duty cases to reduce vibration. These are meant to withstand repeated heavy discharge/charge cycles. Typically rated in Ah (ampere hours) rather than CCA, since their primary use is for supply, not starting.Replace your broken fuse and see what works. You may have some defective wiring to replace, along with a short to find, if fuses continue to blow.Bob

 

[Ted]

Charge the battery first . . .

The guy at West Marine is an idiot.Charge the battery first. Then play with your electronics.Deep cycle is better, but any battery will be OK.Regards,Ted

 

[john renfro]

zaaap!

hello,will each item operate when it is the only item turned on? if so you have the wrong wires as the ground. they all have to have the same side grounded john