Motor won't trip up or down without being plugged in to extension cord

[brgbassmaster]

So I checked my trim 2 weeks ago and batteries everything lights up green and is charged. Trim went up and down fine. I just hooked it up to go take in for annual service and went to trim it up and nothing. Plugged in my charger and everything lights up green. Then tried the trim motor and it went up slowly while plugged in enough for me to put the transom saver in and tow to shop. Whats your thoughts?

[Way north bass guy]

Sounds like the battery is toast, and the charger when plugged in boosts it just enough to trim up. Also, if it’s showing green and charged, maybe the charger itself isn’t working correctly?

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, Way north bass guy said:

Sounds like the battery is toast, and the charger when plugged in boosts it just enough to trim up. Also, if it’s showing green and charged, maybe the charger itself isn’t working correctly?

This was my first though as well. One or two bad cells would give you the juice to run lights and such, but not enough for a high-power draw like the tilt/trim.

 

If it's an older charger, it might be mis-reading the working cells as the battery being good.

[Bird]

Just went through this in my buddies boat last weekend.

He had to replace his cheap everstart with an interstate battery......all good.

[TnRiver46]

Sounds like you need to go fishing more often! (Don’t we all)  Poor battery sat too long. Didn’t you say you live way up north? Cold may have killed it . it may be worth a try to hit it with high voltage charge and jump it like Frankenstein’s heart 

[WRB]

Not high voltage? You mean high amperage automotive quick charge.

12V means nothing if the deep cycle marine battery is low amp (power). Harbor Freight sells Chicago brand battery tester with load, about $30.

Your OB engine tilt relay could be bad etc, etc...

Tom

[slonezp]

Check and clean the battery posts and ring terminals. You can take the battery to Autozone and they can test it for you.

[Way2slow]

I've said it before and will say it a again.  It's a very easy problem to diagnose with a DVM/Multimeter.  You can't look at wires and see what the electrons are doing inside one, but a multimeter will show you, and you can buy one for less than an hours labor a shop is going to charge you.  

However, just pitching guesses at it, sounds like a bad connection on a cable or a bad battery.  

[brgbassmaster]

17 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Sounds like you need to go fishing more often! (Don’t we all)  Poor battery sat too long. Didn’t you say you live way up north? Cold may have killed it . it may be worth a try to hit it with high voltage charge and jump it like Frankenstein’s heart 

Ya I live way up north lol. My boat is in my heated garage though all winter. Im guessing its my cranking battery, sucks cuz its only a year old but I have the receipt and they should replace it. thanks! 

Thanks everyone I'm guessing its the battery. I have the receipt it should be replaced since its only a year old. 

[gim]

3 hours ago, brgbassmaster said:

Thanks everyone I'm guessing its the battery. I have the receipt it should be replaced since its only a year old. 

What kind of battery?

[GaryH]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

What kind of battery?

Probably a Interstate…??? JK

[brgbassmaster]

15 hours ago, GaryH said:

Probably a Interstate…??? JK

hahaha y'all are good yup definitely an interstate. 15 years of boat ownership and they have been pretty darn good but looks like this one is shot. Oh well ill have them replace it. 

[Way2slow]

If you haven't cleaned and checked the cables, it might be a wasted trip to the battery dealer.