I have a 3GMF Yanmar that runs like a champ and used to start that way. About 2 months ago it started w/this problem: starts from the dock on the 1st push of the button, but after sailing when we want to come in, it takes several pushes. And it's getting worse (last time it barely started after several rests). I have 2 12v deep cells in parallel and I'm wondering if it's just that I need a cranking battery. Sound right? Also, if I hook that into the system w/my battery selector w/out an isolator, can I switch from battery 1 to 2 during engine operation w/o hurting the alternator? Thanks for any advice, Matt
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Week Batteries.
Matt: Sounds like your batteries are heading south. I think what you are experiencing is a surface charge on the batteries from the charger. The charger is keeping the voltage up for your initial start, then the batteries start loosing voltage without the charger on them. When you go to start the engine you voltage has dropped. Don't know about your charger or battery type but get them checked out.
Matt: Sounds like your batteries are heading south. I think what you are experiencing is a surface charge on the batteries from the charger. The charger is keeping the voltage up for your initial start, then the batteries start loosing voltage without the charger on them. When you go to start the engine you voltage has dropped. Don't know about your charger or battery type but get them checked out.
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Justin Wolfe
More throttle
Have you tried starting the engine with lots of throttle. On both of our 3GM's this made a big difference. Instead of several seconds from push button to start it is more like 1 second with the throttle near wide open. Just remember to keep your hand on throttle so you can bring the rpm's back down to idle as soon as the engine fires. Give it a try.
Have you tried starting the engine with lots of throttle. On both of our 3GM's this made a big difference. Instead of several seconds from push button to start it is more like 1 second with the throttle near wide open. Just remember to keep your hand on throttle so you can bring the rpm's back down to idle as soon as the engine fires. Give it a try.
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Bryan C.
Switcheroo
Lot's of folks report that their push button starter switch does not always fire on the first push. If the problem is the battery power, the engine will turn over sluggishly or not at all. If you push the button but nothing happens, and after pushing it a few times it suddenly turns over strongly, your problem is probably corroding wiring at the switch. If you battery is too weak to crank the engine, I'm not sure that letting it rest would improve the situation to where it would all of a sudden have enough power
Lot's of folks report that their push button starter switch does not always fire on the first push. If the problem is the battery power, the engine will turn over sluggishly or not at all. If you push the button but nothing happens, and after pushing it a few times it suddenly turns over strongly, your problem is probably corroding wiring at the switch. If you battery is too weak to crank the engine, I'm not sure that letting it rest would improve the situation to where it would all of a sudden have enough power
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Duane Cady
to crank or not to crank
I have a 2GMF -- the manual says to start it at @ half-throttle. I believe this is for fuel purposes. The interesting thing is that once it cranks (even with no throttle) the engine starts in no time -- but as the previous poster noted, sometimes it doesnt crank at all. I do hear the solenoid click ... I just assumed that this was due to the engine being in a stage of its stroke where the battery/starter couldnt overcome the compression. So far, just waiting a minute (i assume it rolled the stroke over a little) and then hitting it again cranks it up. The one time it didnt I switched the battery switch to 'ALL' and zoom... Another assumption was that if even the ALL switch didnt crank it, then cranking the engine by hand a half-stroke or releasing the compression lever and turning it would free it up for the starter. Duane
I have a 2GMF -- the manual says to start it at @ half-throttle. I believe this is for fuel purposes. The interesting thing is that once it cranks (even with no throttle) the engine starts in no time -- but as the previous poster noted, sometimes it doesnt crank at all. I do hear the solenoid click ... I just assumed that this was due to the engine being in a stage of its stroke where the battery/starter couldnt overcome the compression. So far, just waiting a minute (i assume it rolled the stroke over a little) and then hitting it again cranks it up. The one time it didnt I switched the battery switch to 'ALL' and zoom... Another assumption was that if even the ALL switch didnt crank it, then cranking the engine by hand a half-stroke or releasing the compression lever and turning it would free it up for the starter. Duane
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Stephen Ostrander
12 volt man
I would not advise using a deep-cycle battery for starting purposes. Deep-cycle batteries are designed to be discharged and recharged, but not for the burst of "cranking power" amperage needed for starting. I would wire in a 3rd starting batter or change one of the deep-cycles to a starting battery. It is OK to switch back and forth between batteries while running, but NEVER switch to "Off" while running, at the risk of blowing your alternator.
I would not advise using a deep-cycle battery for starting purposes. Deep-cycle batteries are designed to be discharged and recharged, but not for the burst of "cranking power" amperage needed for starting. I would wire in a 3rd starting batter or change one of the deep-cycles to a starting battery. It is OK to switch back and forth between batteries while running, but NEVER switch to "Off" while running, at the risk of blowing your alternator.
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Ed Schenck
Disagree with need for "cranking amps".
But still unclear as to Matt's original problem. Does it not even turn over but then suddenly, after several attempts, cranks and fires? Or is it turning over too slow to fire up? For the "too slow" option should be able to switch to "2" or "ALL" to see if it is a battery problem. For the "several attempts" option found that to be resistance in the off/on switch and/or push-button starter switch. My Yanmar cranks and starts just fine with the standard deep-cycle Gel. One for starter is isolated from three house batteries but positions 1, or 2, or ALL will crank her more than fast enough. And all batteries the same.
But still unclear as to Matt's original problem. Does it not even turn over but then suddenly, after several attempts, cranks and fires? Or is it turning over too slow to fire up? For the "too slow" option should be able to switch to "2" or "ALL" to see if it is a battery problem. For the "several attempts" option found that to be resistance in the off/on switch and/or push-button starter switch. My Yanmar cranks and starts just fine with the standard deep-cycle Gel. One for starter is isolated from three house batteries but positions 1, or 2, or ALL will crank her more than fast enough. And all batteries the same.
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Matt
options options
Thanks to all. Ed, the problem is that it's slow to start but after 2-4 pushes, and sometime a rest, it goes. But last night it cranked from the dock and then about 2 hours later from the sea on the 1st try -- only difference was that I ran the engine longer (and the alternator) and didn't run the tape deck. Hmm. I think I'll first try w/the throttle down. If that fails, I'll add another battery to the bank and run #2 as a starting battery, and #1 w/2 house batteries in parallel. I'll follow up to let y'all know what works. Thanks again, Matt
Thanks to all. Ed, the problem is that it's slow to start but after 2-4 pushes, and sometime a rest, it goes. But last night it cranked from the dock and then about 2 hours later from the sea on the 1st try -- only difference was that I ran the engine longer (and the alternator) and didn't run the tape deck. Hmm. I think I'll first try w/the throttle down. If that fails, I'll add another battery to the bank and run #2 as a starting battery, and #1 w/2 house batteries in parallel. I'll follow up to let y'all know what works. Thanks again, Matt
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ted
same problem as justin
my 3gmf must have been built by the same guy that built justins, it takes forever at idle throttle to start, push up to about 75% throttle and it starts every time. note that i usaually only have to do this proceedure once, the rest of the weekend or trip it starts normal.
my 3gmf must have been built by the same guy that built justins, it takes forever at idle throttle to start, push up to about 75% throttle and it starts every time. note that i usaually only have to do this proceedure once, the rest of the weekend or trip it starts normal.
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