[jetboatrich]

Went to take the boat out yesterday, was in the driveway and wanted to make sure all is good. Turn the key and nothing, no guages, etc. I had the batteries on a trickle charge the night before and it started the day before, but my battery was not 100%. I checked my battery with a battery tester and it checks out good.

I checked voltage at the battery terminal on the ignition switch, 12 volts. When I turn the key power goes away, release the key it starts to come back.

Has the MERC, 454, 1986

 

[JWM]

The first thing I would check is the Battery Amp output. Sounds like your battery does not have any amps. 12 volts but no CCA.
Also check the main battery cable for corrison. Sometimes you need to peel the plastic cover back just a little and look at the cable condition. Remember to check the ground also.

JW

 

[jetboatrich]

I was leaning towards the same thoughts, stereo comes on with 3 different amps, if it can run these, it can make my guauges work, so not the battery. I will mess with the cables from the perko switch to the starter, etc?

 

[SoldHondaBoughtHondo]

Bad connection at battery cables or ground...voltage will pass until you put a load on it....turn the key half a dozen times to make it fail and find the connection that is warmer than the others

 

[Schiada 201]

Put a load tester on the battery and as been alluded to check cables for corrosion.

 

[jetboatrich]

Put a load tester on the battery and as been alluded to check cables for corrosion.

Thanks for all the responses
I have a bettery tested, which puts a load on it and it was fine.

I am traveling this week and will check all the connections this weekend, againbulb

 

[jetboatrich]

Tore into it yesterday, messed with one at a time and was not making progressgrn pretty much took all connections apart and cleaned them up, all good now.