Battery connection question...

[sctoddc]

Hello all, new member here, just registered. Also, first time boat owner, recently bought a 14' feather craft modified v with a 25 hp Johnson. On to the question, my buddy and I were planning a fishing trip this weekend but my cranking battery needed charging; while I was in the shed setting up the charger, he disconnected the battery. Now, the problem, the battery cables are both black, and he didn't remember which was pos. and neg. What do I need to do to make sure I don't connect them wrong?, gonna make sure they are clearly marked after this. Any help and advice is greatly appreciated,

Todd

 

[Truckmechanic]

The positive cable should lead to A breaker or fuse.

 

[Captain Ahab]

What are you connecting? If it is just a trolling motor go ahead and connect it up and if forward is reverse then you have it backwards., Will not hurt the motor (unless you hit something becuase you expect to go forward and you go in reverse :LOL2: )

 

[sctoddc]

What are you connecting? If it is just a trolling motor go ahead and connect it up and if forward is reverse then you have it backwards., Will not hurt the motor (unless you hit something becuase you expect to go forward and you go in reverse :LOL2: )

It's actually the outboard, I don't want to mess it up. 25 hp Johnson tiller type. This is my first boat and motor, and I'm sure it won't be good to try to start with the terminals crossed.

Todd

 

[sctoddc]

The positive cable should lead to A breaker or fuse.

On the outboard? Would this be easily found by taking the cover off the motor?

Todd

 

[richg99]

If I understand the question correctly....you have two wires coming from the battery and you don't know which one is POSITIVE? If that is the question...then the battery itself will normally have a (PLUS +) sign embedded into the plastic next to the terminal. Or, it could say POS embedded into the plastic. Rich

 

[redbug]

You should be able to trace the 2 wires to figure out which is which
one will go to ground the other will wind up hooked to the started

 

[richg99]

An inexpensive volt ohm meter (VOM) would be a good addition to your tool box. Here is one under $5.00 Rich

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Volt-Meter-Voltmeter-Multimeter/dp/B001RSREKI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304188652&sr=8-1