Wiring

[Dr. Jones]

Hi Everyone,

I am having a wiring issue with my electronics that run off my trolling battery. I don't know anything about wirin. Despite that, I have tried to mess with it as much as I care to. I now need to take it to someone who knows what the heck they are doing. Any suggestions? I think this is an easy fix, since everything is out.

Also, where can I get my little fire extinguisher charged? I almost got a ticket last time because the man noticed I was under my 'good' level.

Thanks,

-Bill

[RC]

I wouldn't power my electronics off my trolling motor batteries.

Just buy another fire ext. They are cheap. If you have to refill it look in the phone book. Most fire extingusher companies will refill them.

[Tom Keels]

I agree. Hook all your electronics to your starting battery. They don't draw enough power to drain a battery. If you still need help, I have wired many a boat and would be glad to take a look at it for you.

[Dr. Jones]

Hmmm. I am starting to wonder now whether the electronics are not hooked into the cranking battery. As far as I could tell I couldn't see a branch off the trolling motor wires, so maybe I have been looking in the wrong spot.

My meter shows that I have power to my switch box but I can't get anything to run.

I know this is a no-brainer loose wire somewhere that someone who knows what the heck they are doing could identify quickly. Are there any boat repair places that will deal with this sort of thing without me having to leave my boat for a week?

Thanks for the offer, Tom, but I don't wanna bother you with something this silly.

[Dr. Jones]

I figured it out. Turns out the electronics are not rigged through the trolling motor battery, but through the cranking battery. And it turned out there was a corroded negative contact on the lead.

Thanks for all your help - it put me on the right track to figuring this out on my own - which is always more fun.

-Bill