I have a 1986 Catalina 30 - Universal 25 - Since I have owned it takes the two batteries on to start the engine. Batteries seem to be strong. Is this common? A fellow sailor is surprised that I use two to start.
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Possibly
If they are deep cycle batteries on the smaller side, it may be possible that a single one can not supply amps at a high enough rate to crank the motor, yet function just fine for the use which they were intended. Using 2 batteries would over come the problem. Another option would be to install a cranking battery (gives up amps quickly) which should be able to turn over the engine.
If they are deep cycle batteries on the smaller side, it may be possible that a single one can not supply amps at a high enough rate to crank the motor, yet function just fine for the use which they were intended. Using 2 batteries would over come the problem. Another option would be to install a cranking battery (gives up amps quickly) which should be able to turn over the engine.
engine start
The engine should start easily on one battery. Some manuals have the starting procedure written incorrectly. When starting, heat the glow plugs for 10-15 seconds, release the key to the on postion and then hit the starter. The glow plugs are a huge draw, keeping them on and trying to start the engine will certainly take 2 batteries. Once they are hot, power to them is not necessary, the engine will start easily. If you are releasing the glow plugs first, then there are other things to consider. Length of run from the batteries to the starter. Size of the starter wiring. Condition of the starter. etc. Check all the connections. Make sure they are tight and corrosion free. Both the hot side and the ground. Batteries may seem strong, but testing is the only way to be sure. Battery Hydrometers are cheap, about $5 at discount auto chains. Check all the cells to ensure consistent charge. A dead cell will quickly rob a battery of power. Another option is to take your batteries to Sears or a chain auto parts store. They will generally check them for free in hopes of you replacing a bad one with one from their store.
The engine should start easily on one battery. Some manuals have the starting procedure written incorrectly. When starting, heat the glow plugs for 10-15 seconds, release the key to the on postion and then hit the starter. The glow plugs are a huge draw, keeping them on and trying to start the engine will certainly take 2 batteries. Once they are hot, power to them is not necessary, the engine will start easily. If you are releasing the glow plugs first, then there are other things to consider. Length of run from the batteries to the starter. Size of the starter wiring. Condition of the starter. etc. Check all the connections. Make sure they are tight and corrosion free. Both the hot side and the ground. Batteries may seem strong, but testing is the only way to be sure. Battery Hydrometers are cheap, about $5 at discount auto chains. Check all the cells to ensure consistent charge. A dead cell will quickly rob a battery of power. Another option is to take your batteries to Sears or a chain auto parts store. They will generally check them for free in hopes of you replacing a bad one with one from their store.
Have you changed the engine harness?
My C27 with M18 had a similar problem. I just dealt with it for a while but when I did the engine harness upgrade mod the problem went away. Must have been corrosion in the start circuit adding a load. I'm pretty sure that an 86 Catalina has the old style engine harness from the factory and should be replaced if not already done so by a P.O. An easy way to check for the mod is to look for the harness connector behind the engine panel or at the engine. If this connector appears to be square in shape and taped up in what appears to be 18 year old electrical tape, the harness is original and Catalina strongly recommends its replacement. Also, if you have an ammeter on your engine panel that also indicates original wiring harness. The Mod replaces the ammeter with a voltmeter, replaces the wiring bundle from the engine to the engine panel and replaces both connectors (which are prone to corrosion) with terminal strips. If you do a search here or on the web you should find all the info to replace the harness as well as the source for the mod kit (Sorry, I don't have the info on my computer any more). If I recall, the kit should be about $70 and I'd give it a difficulty rating of 2 monkey wrenches on a 5 monkey wrench scale. Good luck!
My C27 with M18 had a similar problem. I just dealt with it for a while but when I did the engine harness upgrade mod the problem went away. Must have been corrosion in the start circuit adding a load. I'm pretty sure that an 86 Catalina has the old style engine harness from the factory and should be replaced if not already done so by a P.O. An easy way to check for the mod is to look for the harness connector behind the engine panel or at the engine. If this connector appears to be square in shape and taped up in what appears to be 18 year old electrical tape, the harness is original and Catalina strongly recommends its replacement. Also, if you have an ammeter on your engine panel that also indicates original wiring harness. The Mod replaces the ammeter with a voltmeter, replaces the wiring bundle from the engine to the engine panel and replaces both connectors (which are prone to corrosion) with terminal strips. If you do a search here or on the web you should find all the info to replace the harness as well as the source for the mod kit (Sorry, I don't have the info on my computer any more). If I recall, the kit should be about $70 and I'd give it a difficulty rating of 2 monkey wrenches on a 5 monkey wrench scale. Good luck!
In both boats and fire trucks it has always been
my experience that they should start easily off one battery. We run with both so that both are charging while engine is on. A bad battery will still give you a reading of 12 volts while not having suffient amperage to crank. Requires a drain down test where you crank engine with ampmeter on and can see what is delivered and for how long. Problem with needing both to start is if you drain the house battery to a point that even with both you no longer have enough to crank.
my experience that they should start easily off one battery. We run with both so that both are charging while engine is on. A bad battery will still give you a reading of 12 volts while not having suffient amperage to crank. Requires a drain down test where you crank engine with ampmeter on and can see what is delivered and for how long. Problem with needing both to start is if you drain the house battery to a point that even with both you no longer have enough to crank.
Wiring harness
the reference is the link from the archives (yet again) IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. DON'T PUT IT OFF. YOUR BOAT COULD START WITHOUT YOU ONBOARD. Stu
the reference is the link from the archives (yet again) IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. DON'T PUT IT OFF. YOUR BOAT COULD START WITHOUT YOU ONBOARD. Stu
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