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-   Archive through October 28, 2007 (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=517108)
-   -   Do you switch engine off while changing rider (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=499081)

zorro 09-09-2007 10:57 PM

I would like to know if you switch the engine off while changing rider. If I switch the engine off and on several times it happens that my battery discharges quickly since the alternator does not have enough time to recharge it. <BR>After two or three mornings on the water I have to recharge it with an external charger. <BR>The alternator is OK, it is only a matter of time with the engine on vs. number of switching off and on. <BR>Does it also happen to any of you?

jayc 09-10-2007 4:06 AM

Something is wrong with your set up if the battery is knocked out by a few restarts. <BR> <BR>Typically I don't bother turning off between sets.

wakesetter101 09-10-2007 5:15 AM

You have a problem. I always turn mine off.

highdyner 09-10-2007 5:51 AM

Yes, always. Have your battery load tested....

outbackls 09-10-2007 6:03 AM

Yes always. I know our boats are far more safe than stern drive boats but I still would not take the chance.

greg_sa 09-10-2007 6:50 AM

I never turn mine off... I have an old boat 1989 SN2001... I've been told that its best to leave it running...

65sanford 09-10-2007 6:51 AM

Typically, the theory is that a battery does not start charging after it has started an engine for 15 minutes of the engine running--I am not sure the truth to this theory but it has seen=med to hold true. I typically do not shut off my engine between sets--a direct drive or v drive boat has the prop so far under the hull that you would really have to try to get tangled up in it--if you are stupid enough to reach or kick under the boat that far you should not be on the water--just my 2 cents

sunjess 09-10-2007 7:30 AM

I always turn it off....but I have an I/O

glasshouse 09-10-2007 8:07 AM

I always leave mine on with an I/O, unless im pulling a girl or a new rider (theyre scared being by the outdrive)

swoop 09-10-2007 8:13 AM

Sounds like your battery/ies have a dead cell. Pull em out, get em checked. <BR> <BR>It depends on who I am riding with as to whether or not I turn the motor off. <BR> <BR>If my crew is motivated and we are there to wakeboard, as opposed to drinking/chillaxin, it runs continuously. <BR> <BR>If the people are chit-chatting, playing with equipment, drinking, talking on the phone, I will turn it off and drift until they're on the platform, gear'd up, and ready to ride.

nauty 09-10-2007 8:17 AM

I always turn mine off while changing riders and have never had any battery issues. To each their own, but personally I do not like inhaling exhaust fumes while I'm putting on my board. <BR> <BR>Also, a couple of years ago there was a guy who was killed west of Dallas when the driver pulled up to get his rider and had thought he had the throttle in neutral, but it wasn't. The rope had then got caught in the prop and quickly was being wound around it. The rope then became wrapped around the rider’s leg who was in the process of getting back up on the swim platform. The turning prop continued to pull in the rope which then pulled the riders leg into the prop as well. The rider suffered massive lacerations and subsequently bled to death before paramedics could arrive. A freak accident? Yes, but it could have totally been avoided had the driver turned off the motor.

swoop 09-10-2007 8:21 AM

Richard, that was a Baja and they were'nt wakeboarding. <BR> <BR>Freak accident, yes. But if you want to partake in watersports, you can unload your six figure race boat for something more accomodating.

nauty 09-10-2007 8:26 AM

Swoop, yes you are correct, I think they were knee boarding or something and indeed it was an outboard. However, a rope can still get caught in an inboard prop with the same results. But again, to each their own.

bmartin 09-10-2007 8:30 AM

I used to leave it on more frequently and then saw one of those posts that provided data on CO (cabon monoxied) levels and the pics where they colored the exhaust and that convinced me to shut it down between riders. See the cases starting on page 7 of this report. A lot of CO poisonings at idle. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.doubleangel.org/documents/NationalCaseListingBoatRelatedCOPoisoningsApr2007. pdf" target="_blank">http://www.doubleangel.org/documents/NationalCaseListingBoatRelatedCOPoisoningsApr2007. pdf</a> <BR> <BR>Check your alternator/battery Luca. Heck a well charged battery should have enough juice to start it > 3 times without any charging between.

helinut 09-10-2007 8:31 AM

I always turn it off. I hate sucking fumes.

cadesun 09-10-2007 9:01 AM

Matthew - turn your I/O off when anyone is near your outdrive! You never know when someone could be caught off balance and bump the throttle!

bcail 09-10-2007 10:42 AM

I always turn it off. <BR> <BR>You never know what someone might do, fall into the throttle, decide to swim under the boat....... <BR> <BR>Why take the chance, which to some is minimal, but I know that I don't want to risk ruining the fun that we have by a terrible accident happening.

amonteroman 09-10-2007 11:15 AM

Always off, just habit, nobody wants to that one in million/freak accident guy when something does go wrong.

jaubrey 09-10-2007 11:40 AM

I turn it off...I would just not worry about anything...plus most of the time we are changing cd's, setups, seating positions, etc.

wakeboardnut 09-10-2007 12:10 PM

always off.

wakedv 09-10-2007 12:16 PM

better safe than sorry.....always off.

laraujo 09-10-2007 12:19 PM

Sounds like the Jury Verdict is in man. Get your alternator changed/fixed so that you can feel confident to turn it off when your buddys are getting in and out of the boat.

woreout 09-10-2007 12:55 PM

Get a sailboat.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>

awf_axis 09-10-2007 3:31 PM

Always off. No Carbon Monoxide for my riders. <BR> <BR>We strap the board on while sitting on the stern (board on the swim deck), and hop off, rope in hand. The amount of CO that could be inhaled during this process could be bad, especially with no breeze. <BR> <BR>Dave

dabigkahuna 09-10-2007 8:55 PM

Always on, to change a starter in my boat is a BITCH!!! The less cycles, the better as far as I'm concerned. Besides, I'm always in neutral when the rider is within 10' or so, so I don't see any danger in leaving the engine on. But usually the rider whips into the dock when they are done so we don't change out riders on the boat, we change out riders on the dock of the ski club.

makai_surfer 09-10-2007 10:03 PM

Why take a chance...? Always OFF!

bob 09-10-2007 10:18 PM

Never turn it off and its an I/O, pay attention. You can hurt someone so easy, so many ways with a boat or anything for that matter. Cade I hope you practice what you preach because with what you said an I/B or V can be bumped in reverse then run someone over also. Why would you be hanging around the outdrive or swim platform for that long anyway, that you would be breathing CO? One more plus to an I/O is the exhaust goes into the water... heh didnt someone invent something to FIX this problem with a D or V for wakesurfing... <BR>Boat approaches, board goes in, then rider gets in. No hanging around the outdrive, no reason to. Boarder puts board on standing on the platform and gets off the side, not the middle and moves away, then boat goes in gear when driver can see rider is clear. <BR>Communicate, "In Neutral", "Dont get near the boat yet" <BR>Know your boat, you can tell when its in gear and pulling forward or reverse, know how to quickly turn it off, key or lanyard in case of emergency.

bob 09-10-2007 10:22 PM

Oh yea I forgot, NO HORSEPLAY in the boat, it isnt really a toy it is for pulling the toys.

westsiderippa 09-10-2007 10:23 PM

in the lake yes. <BR>but for me thats only a couple times a year. in the delta its a different story. wind, narrow slues, yahoo tubers and powerboats, strong tidal currents, i just let it idle. but i always have a solid experienced crew in my boat and we change riders quick. you need to be on it in the d or your gonna get worked.

skier12 09-10-2007 10:49 PM

I always turn the motor off. But for the guys that insist on keeping the motor on why don't you atleast pull the pin on the throttle so you know its out of gear. Also then if the throttle gets bumped you won't have to worry about it.

sidekicknicholas 09-10-2007 10:56 PM

at $3.10 a gallon ours goes off

westsiderippa 09-10-2007 10:57 PM

kyle on my bu, my 06 sanger and my old 94 nauti, the pin will only stay out, keeping the boat in nutrual if you pull the saftey ring up and apply the throttle as if it was in gear. that safety ring in itself is more than enough back up. you would have to slamm the throttle really hard to break that safety ring.

zorro 09-11-2007 1:16 AM

Well, in reply to those who suggested to have the battery checked I have to say that not only I already did it but I have already changed three different batteries. I have also had the alternator checked and it seems to be ok. <BR>May be the problem is that I use my boat once a month or so in the winter months and the battery slowly discharges and then when I use the boat switching the engine off between sets the alternator does not have enough time to charge the battery. Two-hour use once a month is too little to keep the battery charged without external charging. <BR>I just bought a solar panel to keep the battery charged while the boat is docked but I still have not installed it, it is not so easy to find a stable fixing for it that is also outside the boat cover. <BR>Any comments?

scanboarder 09-11-2007 2:21 AM

It just sounds wrong. Are you sure you have a big enough battery? If your ampere/hour is too low you might suffer the kind of difficulties you're describing. I run a 115 Ah battery and it's never needed recharging. (merc engine) <BR>It's been run hard thru some engine troubles too but always had plenty of power for start/stop use. If i'd had a regular car-battery at like 60 Ah i'd be in trouble tho..

zorro 09-11-2007 3:16 AM

I use an 80 Ah battery now, but I also used two 100 Ah before and I had the same problem.

scanboarder 09-11-2007 4:59 AM

That's weird.. I'm thinking you have something "stealing" juice from your battery. You should have a professional car/boat 12V electrician check it out. If your alternator charges around 14 volts (14-14.5) it should have no problem keeping the battery good. Are you running any heavy stereo equipment or other power demanding appliances onboard? <BR>If not it could be as easy as faulty wiring or bad ground connection. Typically hard to locate faults, therefore the recommendation to a pro. <BR> <BR>Best of luck to ya

zorro 09-11-2007 5:11 AM

No, I an not running any auxiliary equipment except a ballast pump but the problem arises even if I do not use the pump. I think that you just addressed the problem: It should be a faulty wiring, really difficult to check even if I am en electronic engineer. I will have to rely on professional help.

walt 09-11-2007 5:35 AM

<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1><b>quote:</b></font><p>Always off. No Carbon Monoxide for my riders.<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote> <BR> <BR>I agree and carbon monoxide poisoning is the biggest reason you should turn your engine off when ever someone is on or near the stern of the boat.

eubanks01 09-11-2007 7:13 AM

Agreed. Turn it off. Plus somebody trying to get in your boat would be really sorry if a person accidently bumped the throttle in reverse.

mlb75 09-11-2007 8:28 PM

Yea it sounds like you've got something robbing power. Also just for S&amp;G you may want to make sure you're actually seeing ~14 volts while the engine is running. Even if you are getting the right voltage but you go out with a questionable battery and then don't let it charge for a decent amount of time you'll not be able to get any substantive charge in it before you shut it down and then try to start it again with essentially the same weak battery you started with. IF possible before you head out next time hook it up to a decent battery charger for 30 minutes to an hour and see if you have the same problem. <BR> <BR>As for on or off, we ALWAYS turn it off, it's not worth the risk and besides with our group it's normally swim call between sessions anyway that way everyone in the boat boarders and non get to have fun.

themxercr85 09-11-2007 10:13 PM

We always shut off just to be safe. And Definetly shut off with an I/O, that's just stupid not to. Our Donzi throttle doesnt lock so there is a chance of someone bumping into it. Thats all it takes. WE also use our drive to get back into the boat so it's pretty smart to turn it off.

big_matt 09-12-2007 5:58 PM

Mostly off. <BR> <BR>Just a shot, if you leave your boat in, and use it once a month is your auto bilge doing it?? Check gland packing? Long shot I know.

dcranium 09-12-2007 9:53 PM

2nd Walt on the CO problem! Not worth the risk. <BR> <BR>We have an I/O and always off, friends have inboards and both leave the motor off as well...

zorro 09-12-2007 10:30 PM

Hello Big Matt, no the auto bilge does not surely work since that happens also when the boat is out of the water for long period of times. I usually keep the boat in the water from October to April and out of the water the remaining months. It may seem curious but where I live it is rather difficult getting a place in the water during the warm and hot months while it is easier during fall and winter. The good thing is that water temperature never drops so low that prevents me from using the boat in the cold season, at least on the sea. For the lakes it is another story: also here in Italy the water gets too cold. <BR>By the way I recently replaced the gland packing so there is no water coming in.

scanboarder 09-13-2007 4:07 AM

Just a thought.. do you have main power switch ? If not you should install one. That way nothing will steal power while the boat is sitting still. <BR>Also, if you bring a fully loaded battery with you to the boat will it empty while you're on the water? If so you have a major problem, also safetywise.

zorro 09-13-2007 6:36 AM

No, I do not have a battery switch, I should have to install one. And no, if the battery is fully charged it takes two or three mornings out, switching the engine on and off many times, before the battery goes dead.

scanboarder 09-13-2007 7:34 AM

Allright. Then either your alternator is not charging properly or something is stealing juice as you run. Even a few minutes of runtime on the engine should provide enough charge on the battery for another startup. Someone said something about having to run like 15 minutes before charging applies, but that's just wrong. Immediately after you rev the engine past appx. 1500 rpm it should give a steady charge of 14+ volts. Bring a voltmeter with you and check to see that it does so. If you read less than 13.5 V while running with just normal powerload you're simply not getting enough from the alternator. Also it's important that it's a steady charge and that it's not too high. If your voltage regulator is damaged it could let thru too much and that way kill your batteries. Over 15 V charge is typically a bad sign, especially if it increases as you increase your rpms.

mlb75 09-13-2007 8:40 AM

Really need to see if you're getting 14 volts while the motor is running above idle. It's starting to sound like it may be a voltage regulator problem. If it's the regulator the battery will start the motor and then the alt will run the boat but not charge the battery. As for the fix it depends on your alternator whether you can just replace the VR or if you'll need to replace the whole alternator. Check your voltages, should be ~12.something with the motor off and while idling but then jump to ~14 above say 1K RPM.

sbilyeu 09-13-2007 5:45 PM

3rd on that Walt you said it best!

johnny_defacto 09-13-2007 10:46 PM

always off


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