My 1989 O'Day 322's 2GMF Yanmar engine starter has an electrical problem. When pushing the starter button electricity seems to be draining off rather than going to the starter. The starter will eventually begin to turn the engine over and fire up. I can smell burning, like wire insulation, and there is some grey smoke in the battery compartment. The 10g negative wire (which is grounded to a heavy metal drain pipe) is warm to the touch but I can't identify the source of the smoke or smell. I have two new heavy starting batteries as #1 and #2. They in turn are connected to a third large deep cycle battery so there is more than enough current to easily turn over the engine. I have owned my boat since 1989 when it was new and the battery arrangement has remained the same. This problem began about two years ago. I remove a previous lighter ground wire last year which got so hot that it burned off the insulation. That's when I replaced it with a heavier wire. I know enough to realize that the problem is related to the heated wire (duh) but that's about as far as my electrical knowlege gets me. Any ideas or suggestions? Al
Electrical starter problem
- Thread starter alberts322
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try tightening all the connections on the starter
and tighten the connections on the starter and the starter mounting bolts. Tighten the connections on the start button? Does the starter get hot? Does the engine crank with the compression release leavers open? Is this problem consistant? Are the connections tight on the battery switch? If everything is tight and the batterys are good, you most likely need a starter.
and tighten the connections on the starter and the starter mounting bolts. Tighten the connections on the start button? Does the starter get hot? Does the engine crank with the compression release leavers open? Is this problem consistant? Are the connections tight on the battery switch? If everything is tight and the batterys are good, you most likely need a starter.
The Bigger the better
Always use the largest cable possible for 12 volt starter and charging, Be absolutly positive all connections are shinny clean and secure,then use some type of protectant to seal the air off it and it will last a long time. If you think your starter is drawing to many amps just use an amp gauge and check it. Shouldn't draw much over 250- 300 amps, but get them cable clean and bigger first, also ground engine to battery direct.
Always use the largest cable possible for 12 volt starter and charging, Be absolutly positive all connections are shinny clean and secure,then use some type of protectant to seal the air off it and it will last a long time. If you think your starter is drawing to many amps just use an amp gauge and check it. Shouldn't draw much over 250- 300 amps, but get them cable clean and bigger first, also ground engine to battery direct.
Starter Dragging
Have you thought about the starter may be dragging? Or loose as the other sailor mentioned, that would cause the teeth on the starter to not mesh with the fly wheel and put the starter in a bind, and thus will not turn over easily. This will cause heat to build up in the battery cable because the armature is trying to engage the starter gear. I would pull the starter and take it to a reputable electric shop. Then go from there.
Have you thought about the starter may be dragging? Or loose as the other sailor mentioned, that would cause the teeth on the starter to not mesh with the fly wheel and put the starter in a bind, and thus will not turn over easily. This will cause heat to build up in the battery cable because the armature is trying to engage the starter gear. I would pull the starter and take it to a reputable electric shop. Then go from there.
I think that wire sizes are meant to be
large gauge not higher. The large the number the smaller the wire. Most battery cables will be from 1/0 to 6/0. Cheap jumper cables for cars are 6-8 gauge wire and can get very hot cranking a difficult engine.
large gauge not higher. The large the number the smaller the wire. Most battery cables will be from 1/0 to 6/0. Cheap jumper cables for cars are 6-8 gauge wire and can get very hot cranking a difficult engine.
definitely needs heavier ground
You definitely need a heavier ground wire direct to the engine block, if that doesn't fix the problem it's still a good idea, if not maybe your starter is just tired.
You definitely need a heavier ground wire direct to the engine block, if that doesn't fix the problem it's still a good idea, if not maybe your starter is just tired.
Beating this horse a little more
If your starter draws 250 amps(posible) and the ground wire was #10 and ten feet long the voltage drop in the wire would be 2.5 volts. Leaving only ten volts to turn the starter. Ten volts is considered a dead battery.
If your starter draws 250 amps(posible) and the ground wire was #10 and ten feet long the voltage drop in the wire would be 2.5 volts. Leaving only ten volts to turn the starter. Ten volts is considered a dead battery.
Your wire is not the problem
It is a symptom. If it is carrying enough current to heat up then all the connections are plenty tight. Most starters for big V-8 engines only draw about 150 amps. Your little diesel will be drawing 50-70 max IF IT IS WORKING RIGHT! Technically, a 14 gage wire can handle 45 amps (and yes it would get pretty warm). A 10 gage getting warm is a sign that there is a short (smoke!!!!) somewhere. I would suspect that your starter is fried or the cable from the solenoid to the starter has a short to ground. On another note, you say that your battery ground is to a "large metal drain pipe"???? It should be to the engine. One cable directly from the negative terminals of the battery banks to a big bolt on the engine block. Its not my boat and it is not my place to tell you how to run your life but this is the kind of stuff that gets people talking on channel 22. Please get this fixed. I'd hate to read about you in the news. Good luck.
It is a symptom. If it is carrying enough current to heat up then all the connections are plenty tight. Most starters for big V-8 engines only draw about 150 amps. Your little diesel will be drawing 50-70 max IF IT IS WORKING RIGHT! Technically, a 14 gage wire can handle 45 amps (and yes it would get pretty warm). A 10 gage getting warm is a sign that there is a short (smoke!!!!) somewhere. I would suspect that your starter is fried or the cable from the solenoid to the starter has a short to ground. On another note, you say that your battery ground is to a "large metal drain pipe"???? It should be to the engine. One cable directly from the negative terminals of the battery banks to a big bolt on the engine block. Its not my boat and it is not my place to tell you how to run your life but this is the kind of stuff that gets people talking on channel 22. Please get this fixed. I'd hate to read about you in the news. Good luck.
been there done this
I had encountered a similar problem on my bayfield. At the end of the day replacing my starter is what was needed. I have had no further problems since. I would take it in and have it tested.
I had encountered a similar problem on my bayfield. At the end of the day replacing my starter is what was needed. I have had no further problems since. I would take it in and have it tested.
Beating this dead horse will do no good.
Only beating live horses gets their attention. (but only with open palms.
) That said, you still have a live horse. That smoke is telling you that you WILL soon have a dead horse. Your boat is about to burn down. Follow the advice you have been given here. In fact, your problem is so dangerous that it is a two person job. One to crank the engine and one to look for the overload/short WITH fire extinguisher in hand. And did you say that the engine ground is 10 gage?! That engine should have #2 cable or bigger. It's a diesel. That equals high starter loads on each compression stroke. It doesn't matter how many cylinders it has. Whew, I just checked your location. My boat is safe from your upcoming FIRE!
Only beating live horses gets their attention. (but only with open palms.
) That said, you still have a live horse. That smoke is telling you that you WILL soon have a dead horse. Your boat is about to burn down. Follow the advice you have been given here. In fact, your problem is so dangerous that it is a two person job. One to crank the engine and one to look for the overload/short WITH fire extinguisher in hand. And did you say that the engine ground is 10 gage?! That engine should have #2 cable or bigger. It's a diesel. That equals high starter loads on each compression stroke. It doesn't matter how many cylinders it has. Whew, I just checked your location. My boat is safe from your upcoming FIRE!- Status