Optimax Motor wont start

This topic has 29 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 3 months ago by JEH in La.

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June 6, 2019 at 4:01 pm #675036

mrbraq
Participant

Everything else seems fine. I hear a slight whir when I engage the key, but the engine doesn’t start. I saw Low Voltage on my graph which is set to alarm at 9V.

I’ve reset the power at the battery, flipped the kill switch, and ensured it’s in Neutral.

Aside from charging or swapping the batteries, any other suggestions.

June 7, 2019 at 12:44 am #675040

Cajunhunter67
Participant

Won’t start? Or wont turn over? Regardless charge the battery. If low voltage alarm goes off again (after charging) battery may need to be replaced.

June 7, 2019 at 3:15 pm #675051

spbait
Participant

The slight whir you hear is probably the starter motor turning. The problem is that the battery is to weak for the solenoid to engage. Charge and/or replace the battery if charging doesn’t work.

June 7, 2019 at 9:02 pm #675059

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

They tagged it…

June 11, 2019 at 12:23 pm #675156

mrbraq
Participant

The boat is 1 year old. I assume if it’s the battery, it’s not covered under the motor warranty. Is there any other Basscat or battery warranty that would cover it?

Separately, if I want to replace the battery myself and start the motor on land, what’s the recommended hose attachment, etc. I should use?

June 11, 2019 at 12:24 pm #675157

mrbraq
Participant

For what it’s worth, we tested the battery and it reported good. This has also happened on a full charge.

June 11, 2019 at 11:39 pm #675172

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Then it’s the cable connection or ground strap.

June 12, 2019 at 1:19 am #675174

Cajunhunter67
Participant

Put a voltmeter on the cranking battery and have someone try cranking it. If the voltage falls off quick (below 10 volts) than its your battery. If it doesn’t, do the same check at the power cable at the starter. If your not getting your full power at the starter, its a bad cable or ground.

If your have full power at the starter and no serious drop in voltage, it may be the starter.

June 12, 2019 at 9:28 pm #675191

mrbraq
Participant

Thanks Cajun (you are always a great resource on both this board and BBC) and BCB.

What hose attachment should I use to start the motor in my driveway? Or is it not necessary for a brief start test?

June 13, 2019 at 3:29 am #675193

Cajunhunter67
Participant

I wouldn’t worry about a hose attachment as your just wanting to spin the motor. If your going to allow it to run for a short period, it will heat the water impeller up and will need to run some water thru it.

June 13, 2019 at 7:16 pm #675216

JEH in La
Participant

mrbraq:

For what it’s worth, we tested the battery and it reported good. This has also happened on a full charge.

mrbraq, what size is your battery? I mean like series 24 or series 31?
I had a 24 series battery fully charged and new and tested good. Had to go to a 31 series battery because it needs more amps to start the late model 200 or 250 Proxs without throwing an alarm.

June 27, 2019 at 6:33 pm #675641

mrbraq
Participant

31-MHD I assume that’s the 31 series?

July 4, 2019 at 8:01 am #675814

jaguarjim
Participant

Read your mercury owners manual on battery requirements for Optimax motors. Optimax motors need a minimum of 1000CCA to fire over, if you’re running multiple graphs, or big graphs, or have an old or cheap battery will not have enough power to turn it over hard enough to start it. Oreilly autoparts sells a lead acid battery that has over 1000CCA I believe theirs are made by East Penn. don’t waste your money on interstates, or any other value brand, Trojan also makes a heavy duty starting battery. Also check your kill switch, you’d be surprised how many guys have no starts and forgot they pulled the kill switch.

July 4, 2019 at 8:38 am #675815

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Today we also like the Odyssey brand though they are like the Northstar, expensive. The Full River AGM is another worthy battery of mention.

July 4, 2019 at 10:18 am #675818

mrbraq
Participant

Tested the Interstate 31-MHD again and it only registered 7.76 volts and 500 CCA when cranking.

I do have 2x Helix 10s…didnt consider the electronics.

I think its covered under an 18 month warranty, but it sounds like I should get another brand. Has anyone tried to apply a warranty credit to another brand?
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