F115 Charging

[Deshka]

I bought a used 2002 Lund 1700 Fisherman and with a 2002 Yamaha F115 and a T8 kicker. I purchased a brand new battery this spring (Cabelas Group 24 1195 MCA and 178 min reserve) and I have to charge it after a weekend of fishing or it wouldn't crank the next time out. I run quite a bit allowing the motor to charge the battery. I have a Hummungbird 997 and a Lowrance 28 HD on while fishing and I was just wondering if this was normal to have to charge the cranking battery regularly or if I have charging or draining problem. My old boat (50 Merc) I never charged the cranking battery in 5 years even in the spring. I have 2 seperate batterys for the electric TM.

[JWinMS]

I had a 50 Honda, like you said, NEVER charged the cranking battery.
Now the Yamaha F90 I've got does like your 115. I put in new battery,
upgraded to a grp 27 from a 24, and still the same.

What I have noticed though, is after a day fishing and running the
90 or the T8 a lot, my cranking battery is topped off, ob charger goes
"green light" soon as I plug it up. But if I unplug it for a week which
I do occasionally, the battery will go partially down.
Everything in the boat is shut off with master switch except
the motors and auto bilge, which never runs.
I take it the computer on the 90 consumes a bit of power even
sitting dead? Or possibly it's the charger itself, not sure.

[yarcraft91]

Since you have a Lowrance 28HD, you do. Use OVERLAY DATA to display voltage on your screen while you are running the 115. If the voltage is 13.5 or higher while the 115 is running, the battery is being charged and the problem is somewhere else. If it reads 12.7 or less, the charging system isn't working.

Humminbird may have a voltage display also.

[Deshka]

I've displayed the voltage on it but I don't think while running. Thanks for the advice thats great advice.