Catalina 34 Starting Battery Problem

[Garytami]

I recently purchased a 1989 Catalina 34 with a 23 hp Universal Diesel. I was having a problem starting the engine on the cranking battery so I put in new Interstates for both the house and cranking battery. I have a good West Marine shorepower battery charger that keeps the bateries fully charged and I have checked the batteries with a hydrometer. All is OK. My problem is that even with new batteries, I cannot start the engine on the cranking battery alone. I always have to use "all" to get sufficint power to start the engine. Has anyone else had this problem on a similar boat? I am not sure if I should be looking for corrosion on the wiring terminations or if there may be a deficinecy in the original Catalina wiring?

Thanks for your ideas

[lgsailor52]

Look for corrosion at the terminal connections and your ground. Also look at your power (battery) switch. There may be internal corrosion, or corrosion at the connections. A loose connection may also be the cause.

[Jeff_H]

You may also have a starter on the way out.