www.iFourWinns.com

I am trying to figure out what the issue is.
When I am plugged into shore power everything works.
But as soon as I unplug the radio and auxiliary switch at helm turn off. I have additional deck lights running to aux switch. I recently purchased a new battery, but I do need to buy a new second battery. I was wondering if that is the reason? If not, I do not know why? could it be a fuse issue?
thanks for any help!

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Switch to battery 1 or whichever battery you replaced. If it works on shore power but not battery. It's probably not a fuse. Do they work with motor running. Do they work when running on both batteries.

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr

they work when boat is running but shore power is plugged in, as soon as I unplug they both stop.. Is it possible that the radio only draws from one battery? or is it possible I have hooked up the batteries wrong? if that possible. i do know I need a new second battery as that one seems dead.

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It sound like you have a dead or disconnected battery. When you plug into shore power, I bet your charger is on. So the charger is powering what the battery can not. Turn the charger off at the breaker and if things turn off your heading in the right direction! Go into the engine compartment with a volt meter and check thing out.

thanks so much for your help. I will be up there on Saturday and follow your directions. I am going to buy a new battery, so hopefully that is the easiest fix!!
thanks again
Steve

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well, I bought a new second battery, so I have two new batteries, and still have the same issue. Radio immediately cuts off after unplugging from shore power. I did not have time to really do any investigating, but assume it can't be a simple fuse issue. I have not tried completely disconnecting batteries and making sure the right positives and negatives are together, it was just a thought, even though that may not have anything to do with it. It all worked at the end of last season LOL. Except I know I had blown a couple fuses due to the new radio. but after that it all worked...

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Sounds to me like you just found your problem. Key words. "New radio". Who wired up the new radio? Could it be wired wrong?

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr

No, there are not 2 power sources for the radio. It should be only 12v.

I would agree with not properly wiring it up, except it was literally swapping old for new, and it did work fine at the end of last season. I wish I was good with electrical work. But, it literally cuts off as soon as I unplug. so it must be some type of wiring issue, just not sure where to start

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I would start by pulling radio. U nhook shore power and wiggle radio wires to see if you get any power. A lot of people have dug into the stereos. I haven't. Does anyone know if there is a separate wire for 12v power vs running on shore power.

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr

Shore power is 120v A.C. Your battery is 12v D.C. Two very different types of power and 95% of our boats run on 12v D.C. Other than, hot water heater, Air Cond, battery charger and maybe your T.V. One of the only things that will work on both is the fridg.

I still think that some thing is wired wrong or turned off. So the charger is powering that 12v radio.

thanks for all your help. I will start with the radio wires.. I did have some engine work done before season, so its possible the mechanic unhooked something or broke a wire ???

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Are the other 12v, lights pumps working at all??

no, we have a deck lights that are now not working either. the switch for those is on the helm

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That just confirms to me that its not your radio. I still think you have something disconnected from one of your batteries.