Instruments on panel not working.

[thwilson]

Yesterday I installed two new batteries as one of the old one had become hot and blackish water was escaping three of the holes.
Now when I turn on the ignition key ,the instruments make a very small movement , but are not fully working. I hit the starter button and nothing happens.
Where do I start checking? I thought I'd ask first before I did something stupid.
Thanks,
Tom Wilson
Bainbridge island, WA

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Time to pull out the voltmeter and start tracing where the voltage issue is. Guessing isn't productive

 

[Justin_NSA]

Could be just a bad ground somewhere.

Polarity is correct I assume.

 

[jssailem]

I would start by retracing my steps of yesterday. Back when everything worked before the problem started.

1. What did I do, disconnect, change before I decided to install new batteries?
2. What did I disconnect/switch off to get the old batteries out?
3. Did I bump any wires pulling the batteries out?
4. Did I reconnect the new batteries properly to get 12V parallel back to the DC panel.
5. Or did I connect them in series and am pumping 24volts through the lines?
6. Did I turn all the switches back on?

Once through the check list of my previous actions, I’d start with the ground wires and the Digital Volt Meter.

Fixing the things I break in the process of improving my boat is always a nightmare.

 

[Tally Ho]

Yesterday I installed two new batteries as one of the old one had become hot and blackish water was escaping three of the holes.
Now when I turn on the ignition key ,the instruments make a very small movement , but are not fully working. I hit the starter button and nothing happens.
Where do I start checking? I thought I'd ask first before I did something stupid.
Thanks,
Tom Wilson
Bainbridge island, WA

Post a photo of the battery hookup…

Greg

 

[Admiral]

Did you charge the batteries before or after install?