1st timer

[CHIEFBATLAX]

I just upgraded from 12' roll up to a 17' trophy cc. I'm still new to boating. First of all it was used, so I'm finding new issues all the time. I pulled up to the boat dock for my second time on Saturday and i gave my 125 2 stroke mercury ob two quick turns before i let it wind up, this is what the guy told me to do to prime it. Then nothing, dead in the water, I had a jumper pack so i tried jump starting it and nothing, but when i hooked up the pack through cigarette lighter i got horn but not enough juice to turn it over. Luckily there was maintenance guy there and they let me through it on charger for a bought a half hour, the guy said the battery was good but just not fully charged, so we cleaned all the terminals and she started after about 10 seconds of turning over, i didn't turn the motor off again till i was done fishing 5 hours later. So the battery says 3/08 on it so it seems pretty new, my dad suggested putting vasoline on the terminals to keep them from corroding. Does this sound like a bad terminal problem? Any advice on 2 stroke engines would be greatly appreciated.

Tony.

[sandiegosteve]

It could be a lot of things. You seem pretty convinced it is electrical.
I'm guessing you have a lead acid batter (can you pop off covers on the top to add water?). If there is no water in there, a new batter can be shot. If it was drained down, you can get sulfur build up which will kill the battery quickly. All batteries have a finite life span. The goal is to maximize their life.

10 seconds of "turning over" doesn't make the motor sound too great. Was it turning over strong, or just just barely making it? If the "old guy" was turning it over to prime it, you may want to hand pump the bulb in the gas line to help. Too much time on the starter can burn it out, which isn't good.

Some of the biggest problems your 2-stroke will face are old gas and sitting around. It sounds like it ran ok once it started. Starting problems can be a lot of things; electrical, fuel, dirty spark plugs or even cold weather.

Things to invest in a learn how to use:
- volt meter (check you battery voltage)
- battery charger. Keeping it charged will help a lot of things including battery life and trouble shooting.

From a basic electrical, you've learned a few things already. Keep the battery charged and make sure the contacts are clean. Scrub them with a wire brush to get all corrosion off, attach the cables (clean the cables too) firmly and put something on them to help prevent corrosion. Dielectric grease is the best thing, but I often just use marine grade grease. The key is to keep the water and sulfuric acid off. Again, depending on the type of your battery, they probably naturally emit sulfuric acid.


There are a lot of good books out there and simply searching these (And other) forums about batteries will teach you a lot. Nothing beats the sound of your motor starting when you are out fishing and ready to come home.

[CHIEFBATLAX]

I plan on buying a battery charger and charging it every night before i go out. When i got back to the dock "the safe zone" I turned it off and on about 10 times and started fairly quickly each time, When i got back to my house to flush it out it, it took about 3 or 4 seconds to fire up. Quite different then my Yamaha 15 four stroke, one pull type action. This site has been killer with all the helpful info on it.

[crazy hawaiian]

As sandiegosteve said, dielectrical grease is the thing to use on your terminals, but I would go one step further. Put it on ALL your electronic connections too. You'll be surprised how quickly your connectors rust in a salt water environment. One time you might need your radio, and you find it does not work is a bad situation to be in.

Also, check all the electrical connections. If they are not connected with a butt connector, replace them all, and seal the ends with liquid tape (most marine parts stores carry it). If they are connected with butt connectors just seal them as above.

A couple hours now will save you a lot of headaches down the line.

[Cape Horn]

Thanks for you reort. Can I get those #'s?

[c-goat]

Battery terminals are a frequently overlooked maintenace item,especially on a boat.
Should always be clean and tight.