5 replies to this topic

[Do The Doo]

Can anyone help me? I have a 2001 Challenger and everytime I go to go out on the water the battery is dead!! It should be a good battery as I just bought this boat from a dealer.

Someone told me that "something" is draining the battery??? Automatic bilge?? The dealer is saying that it is the stereo that I put in as the stereo has a memory that runs off of the battery but I was told that this memory can run off of the battery for "days"...I would only shut the boat off for an hour at a sand bar and then I would go to start it back up and it is dead....need the power boost to jump it.

Also....as I had it in for this problem the dealer is telling me that a "grate" is broken underneath and needs to be replaced........part costs alone are approx. $310.00 CAD!!! What the hell?? If they are looking for a "wire problem" or battery draining problem.....why would they go "underneath" the boat and "notice" a broken grate?? Could this be possible....is it legitimate that they noticed this or am I getting hosed!!!!! The boat is still under a 30 day warranty and I am starting to think that they have to replace the battery (as it is a dud) and they are trying to recuperate some of their costs by telling me that the grate near the impeller was broken!! I have not been in any water less than 3-4 feet deep.......could this be possible?

Any advice on the "battery drain" problem or advice on this mysterious "noticing" of a broken grate would be appreciated!!

Thanks!

[tiggerman]

To find the "drain", connect a 12V automotive test lamp between the negative battery terminal on the battery, and the negative battery cable ( disconnect cable, put light between battery and cable- completes a circuit). If there is any current flowing, it will light the lamp. Bright light= big drain dim lamp = small drain.
Bright lamp usually means something OTHER than the stereo is drawing current at a rate large enough to drain your battery. To find what is illuminating the lamp, start by pulling fuses one at a time. When the light goes out- you found it.
Other causes: a battery with a dead cell (or two). Have it tested. Good luck!

[Do The Doo]

Thanks Doo-less!! I have a feeling I need a new battery but I will see what the dealer tries to tell me when I go there to pick my boat up.

What about my impeller grate diagnosis?? Would this be something that they would see or jump out at them if they were looking for a "battery draining" problem??? Hmmm?? My boat ran fine on the weekend....they are trying to suggest that I sucked up a rock that broke the grate????

[tiggerman]

Thanks Doo-less!! I have a feeling I need a new battery but I will see what the dealer tries to tell me when I go there to pick my boat up.

What about my impeller grate diagnosis?? Would this be something that they would see or jump out at them if they were looking for a "battery draining" problem??? Hmmm?? My boat ran fine on the weekend....they are trying to suggest that I sucked up a rock that broke the grate????

only if the battery was under the boat, which it isn't. It is entirely possible that you sucked up a rock- but if your Challenger is Merc powered, it is entirely possible that the grate was defective from the factory.

[Do The Doo]

Thanks Tiggerman......my Challenger is Merc powered but I did not get underneath it when I bought it. I guess I assumed that the dealer fixed any problems on the boat before they sold the boat???

Anyhow, that question is going to come up when I pick up my boat...."why would you notice a broken grate on the bottom of the boat when you were looking for a battery/wire problem"!!!! I will see what they say to me........

Thanks again for your help with this one!! I appreciate it! By the way...so far I love this boat. I had a 23 foot Campion cruiser before with full cuddy but I hardly slept overnight on it so I got rid of it for a "little bit more fun" on the waters.

If you got anymore tips for me with this boat then I am all ears!!!!

Regards.

[tiggerman]

The broken-tine syndrome is all too common a problem on that model Merc- there is a replacement: either the stock Hydro Suck, or a fixed grate. Maybe some of the other Merc owners should chime in- Im a Rotax fiend.... My current Doo is a '97 XP 800 (787) that SCREAMS!!!!