engine wont start

boab · 08 June 2008, 20:30

Hi guys, been out once this year and as usual engine started on third turn even though its been sitting since last oct, it always fires on third turn, went to check it yesterday as i was going out today, battery was flat, charged it overnight, went to start it today and it just kept turning over, didnt even try to fire up, hopefully it cant be much wrong as it was fine when it was last out,optimax 225 2003, any thoughts on this gratefully wellcomed .

Andy Moore · 08 June 2008, 20:45

Ours used to do this and it was a ropey battery. I was told that Optimax's need a tip-top-condition battery. We got a new one. Seems fine now.

Before, even charging up the old battery wouldn't fire it up.

Try swapping in a new battery?

Limey Linda · 08 June 2008, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by boab

Hi guys, been out once this year and as usual engine started on third turn even though its been sitting since last oct, it always fires on third turn, went to check it yesterday as i was going out today, battery was flat, charged it overnight, went to start it today and it just kept turning over, didnt even try to fire up, hopefully it cant be much wrong as it was fine when it was last out,optimax 225 2003, any thoughts on this gratefully wellcomed .

Check your kill cord connection 1st.

boab · 08 June 2008, 21:17

thanks for the replies folks, the kill cord sounds good, as the battery is new but stereo was left on, on the last outing, and i charged the battery for about 30 hrs, so it should have had enough charge to fire the engine up, will check it tomorrow.

boab · 09 June 2008, 22:37

well surprise surprise went to check kill cord today it was ok, turned the engine over and 3rd turn i fired up, anyway thanks again for the help, boab.

jyasaki · 10 June 2008, 15:05

If it's a non-deep cycle battery, running it down (or letting it self-discharge) may very well kill it (or at least damage it to the point that your engine won't play nice with it anymore.)

Keep a smart trickle charger on the thing if you're leaving it sitting for long periods of time.

As I recall, starting batteries should not be discharged to less than 70% rated voltage; hybrids about 50%; deep cycles should survive discharges to about 25% without harm. None of them should be left in a discharged state for very long to avoid sulfation problems.

jky