www.iFourWinns.com

Hey gang, looking for some thoughts and a potential diagnosis for some recent problems.

A few weeks ago, I had a battery go bad. While sitting in the slip on the charger, it blew the caps and spit acid out into the bilge. The battery switch was set to "1 and 2" and the other battery was fine, so I assumed it was an issue with the battery. I replaced both batteries and all seemed to be well.

Went out to the slip this past weekend only to find both batteries dead and pool of hydraulic fluid in the bilge. The hydraulic fluid was clearly from the trim tab pump, as the reservoir was completely empty. I ran my fingers down the length of the lines from the pump to the tabs, but there was no sign of any leakage in the lines. The front and bottom of the pump reservoir was slick, so it appears that the fluid someone spilled out of the reservoir through the seal.

With both batteries dead (and with my portable jumper at home - because who needs that when you have 2 new batteries), there was no way to kick the boat on to find out if the pump was operating. So, frustrated as all h***, we left it alone for the weekend.

I am going to head back out tonight or tomorrow with a volt-meter and a portable jumper to see if I can diagnose the problem(s).

My questions for you guys are:

(1) What are the chances the battery drain and the pump are related problems?

(2) If the pump had a short, is it possible it could have kicked on, kept running, and overpressurized the hyrdraulics of the trim tab system and cause the seal on the reservoir to fail? I suppose that would explain the battery drain?

(3) Any other thoughts?

As always, thanks for the insight!

Ahhhh.....the joys of boat ownership!

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2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali

HELLO!
Batteries and pump can be the same problem.
Seems like the trim tab switch might of been stuck in the on position. Leaving the pump running. I don't think it overpressurize I would assume a relief valve would protect that. But if it keeps running it would be at full pressure dead headed and pulling alot of amps. I would think you might of heard it growling though when you changed the batteries the first time.
fal

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CAPTAIN ZERO

Could the reservoir be cracked? Make sure you clean up that battery acid good, its some nasty stuff. What did you replace them with?

I'd give Bennett a call or shoot them an email, from what I hear they have great CS, and I'm sure might have an idea of how to troubleshoot.

Hopefully you can get this resolved, we are thinking of heading to Brookville this weekend....

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Wow that seems to be a heck of a coincidence. What is the placment of the battery that split compared to the trim tab pump?

Im thinking the battery is very near it or right under it, if so could it be possible that the battery acid splashed up on it and took a couple of weeks to show the signs of damage. As far as the batteries the only way I think one is going ot blow the caps off is being severly overchaged, so either the charger is overcharging or that paticular battery had 1 or more dead cells. So maybe the battery charger is overcharging or not charging at all. Not sure how to tie those two issue together any other way.

Good luck

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Jsimon makes a good point about the battery acid damaging the fluid resevoire. Still doesn't explain the dead batteries. Could be as simple as fridge running them down and a breaker on your panel not on. But more likely an issue with your charger.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags