Idol threats Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 Hi All A mate of mine has had a 40hp honda for under 2yrs and when he started it yesterday a flame came off the earthing strap located on the base of the leg. The one that joins the top half of your engine to the bottom. I not being a motor mech could only assume that he must have had his polarities around the wrong way. Hence making the boat live and the battery the earth ? He assured me that the polarities where around the right way:wacko: Has anyone had a similar experience. I have since replaced the battery and all is fine but I would like to know why this would have happened. Regards Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitto Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 I had a 40hp Honda for over 2 years with zero issues ... sounds like a wiring problem, has he added anything electrical lately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grantm Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 Sounds like reverse polarity to me. Not too many things cause the earth strap to flash, unless there is a wicked short in which case you would have some melted wiring as well. Did the flash occur when he connected the battery or did it happen while the boat was running ? If it happened on battery connection it would have to be reverse polarity youd think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MarkD Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 Sounds like reverse polarity to me. Not too many things cause the earth strap to flash, unless there is a wicked short in which case you would have some melted wiring as well. Did the flash occur when he connected the battery or did it happen while the boat was running ? If it happened on battery connection it would have to be reverse polarity youd think. Thought you'd pop in on this post Grant, good onya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grantm Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 Just to add a bit, the connection at that strap would have to be the weak point too by way of a poor connection.If the connection are good the battery post just sparks but I have seen poorly fitted and loose earth straps blow off before on cars when the battery polarity is fitted around the wrong way. Just need to know exactly when it blew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heckendorfmortgage Posted November 5, 2005 Share Posted November 5, 2005 If the problem occurred at the moment the starter was hit, IMO Telco might be closest to the mark. MH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grantm Posted November 5, 2005 Share Posted November 5, 2005 Just saw Telco's post and that does actually make more sense now i think about it, especially if it happened while cranking. Didnt see the bit about " while starting the boat" Onya Telco your good on the electrical stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idol threats Posted November 10, 2005 Author Share Posted November 10, 2005 Thanks Guys I will check the attachments we replaced the battery as it was just about flat it started first go with no problems , must have been a gremlin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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