Negative battery cable

[prairieboy]

Sorry for the stupid question, but I honestly don't know. Last year when I bought the boat I was winterizing it and pulled the battery out. I zip tied all the cables together so I wouldn't have to hunt for them in the spring.

Anyway, in my carb rebuilding project - when I pulled the starboard carb off I saw a cable lying underneath the engine - doh it's a negative battery cable. I never saw it before.

So, what would happen if one was running a boat with a negative battery cable lying in the hull of a boat. Both motors started and ran and all the experiences I was having with my port engine were otherwise best described as fuel problems - thus the carb rebuild. I would get up to speed and the engine would just die or it would sputter and feel like it was suffering from lack of fuel. The last straw was when I finally couldn't get the engine started again.

Such a rookie move - but I honestly didn't see it. The only thing that would be worse is the other end isn't connected to anything either!

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[Dr Honda]

Generally there are multiple grounds in the system. BUT... if you leave off a main ground... you may be trying to pull too much power though a small wire, and cause issues later. OR... you could cause an electrolysis effect though the wetness in the hull.

Both are an "Over time" situation. So, hook up the ground, and don't worry at this point.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Doc nailed it... Some grounds are very specific and are a must have and be mounted correctly.

In your case, I think it is a generic ground and it is likely off the block. Find or create a nice clean spot, use dielectric grease and bolt it back on.