Bought my first boat just over a year ago and I'm having my very first issue (welcome to boat ownership I've been told).
Specs: 2005 Tracker Pro Team 185 - 60hp EFI Four Stroke
Not sure if there's any way this is related but just before the issue began I took it in to a local shop for maintenance - oil/filter change and impeller/oil service.
First trip out after service was to Skinner. I barely used the motor (trolling motor was used most of the day). Brought it home. The very next weekend I took it to Perris and it would not start. Dead battery. Jumped it throughout the day and took it home and put it on the charger.
Next trip out it died again towards the end of the day - jumped it again.
Came home and, not knowing any better, bought a brand new battery.
Last night (second trip on the new battery) and I'm back to a dead battery. I noticed the V's drop when I turned you nav lights on (about 11.8 or so). Started it up and headed back to the launch ramp watching it drop very slowly. Got the truck down to the ramp to load up and the battery wouldn't turn it over - loaded it via rope and dragged it home.
I just jumped it in the driveway and ran it on the muffs - brought the RPMs up and watched the V's drop fast - motor started dropping RPMs so I shut it down.
Not sure if this is related but I did have the cover off and noticed a plug connection on the left side coming from the top cover/belt area down and around to the front side - red and black wires only - and the plug was partially melted. Is that perhaps the wires to the regulator?
Sorry for the rant. I just want to make sure I include as much info as possible since I'm pretty much clueless about this thing. I am however mechanically inclined and typically prefer to perform my own maintenance. Lack of time was the cause for taking it into a shop for the last service.
Thanks in advance for any advice on troubleshooting this!
Joe