SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: Hawaiian22 on June 28, 2013, 04:51:00 PM
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Hi all! I have a few questions regarding my battery setup.
1st- I have a 460, and the negative battery is attached to a bolt on the bellhousing. I would like to move the location to the front of the engine, I am thinking it is safe as long as it is attached to the block, but I am no expert on engine electrics.
2nd- Is 4 guage battery wire too light for a 460. My engine is nothing special.. No major performance upgrades. It has a flamethrower coil, and a pertronix upgraded distributer. I have had a hard time starting when the temp is high under the engine hatch.. It kinda chuggs a bit. A buddy of mine told me I may want to bump the wire guage up, as everything may be getting too hot.
3rd- Can the battery wires/leads build up resistance if they are old, in turn causing the difficult starts.
Ive read that timing can cause an engine to run too hot.. My timing may be off a tad, but when the engine is cold to warm I dont get the chugging starts. Once started, the boat runs really smooth.
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ok well here goes,
1. you want the cables as short as possible, but if you want to move the neg cable to the front of the motor yes go to a larger cable size. I recommend you heading over to your local welding supply place , and getting 1 gauge wire and some good ends.
2. well i think i answered that!
3. Yes you need to clean the terminals and make sure they stay clean. oh by the way starters do ware out , and dont really like a lot of heat, you may want to buy a wrap kit for your starter if the prob persists .
good luck!
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Thanks for the help, I appreciate it!! My plan is to move the battery to the front of the engine compartment. I have a vent in that spot. Moving the battery should allow for a much shorter pair of wires. The current location makes it difficult for me to get to the battery as well.
Would a worn starter give me the chugg Im describing, or give a sound like a kind of ding with no engine turn over? I hope that makes sense, I couldnt think of any other way to describe the sounds..
Thanks!!
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ok there are usually 2 things starter do that are signs that things need to be addresses. the imfamous CLICK and nothing no crank, or the the really slow crank, both suck! reallly bad!
if it clicks check batt first, then the cables then the starter.
if it cranks slow do the same!
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Mobboss got it perfect. Welding cable works awesome. I used brass ends heated them up with propane torch, filled terminal with solder then inserted cable. Heat shrink it when it cooled. Came out very sano.
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Guys,
Just to be an absolute kill joy.
Welding cable insulation is not oil resistant and should never be used in a marine environment. I use Belden cable which actually has USCG printed on the jacket.
Be careful and ensure that any cable you use says oil resistant right in the insulation.
The copper lugs work great, they are made by Forney.
GT
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Well... I think for now I am going to grab some 2guage cables, and replace the starter. Both items look older than the hills. I also think I can cut the length down a lot from the current setup.
Thanks again for the input/help. This forum always points me in the right direction!!
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I run 1aug cables on my batteries, i went to the local big rig parts store and they made them up to specific lengths that i wanted.
Worked out great with no issues
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Do you have a remote solenoid for your starter and if so what is the voltage/amp draw before and after the solenoid. what is the starter amp draw cold and hot, this will tell you what your problem is instead of guessing.