Loose ground

[BrownClown]

My batteries are supposedly hooked up properly, but my batteries aren't charging. My alternator is putting out 14+, so it's fine. They're looking for a loose ground somewhere.
Any advice on where to look or anything different?

[skippabcool]

How old are your batteries? If you charge them out of the boat with a normal charger do they hold a charge?

Is it both batteries?

Do you turn off all the switches? Circuit breaker under the helm, switch in the back locker, etc..

[BrownClown]

Both batteries are brand new Optima yellow tops. Circuit breaker is normal. Both masters under the helm are always turned off when we're done as is the master in the locker.
Initially after the dewinterization, they didn't connect the batteries correctly, so I'm hoping they're not chasing a ghost of their own making.

[chpthril]

Are you taking that voltage reading AT the batteries or just the gauge? How did you determine they're not charging? If you are reading 14+ by placing the DVOM leads on each battery, then the ground circuit is complete. Odds are, if a cable was left off you may not even get the boat started are even read alternator voltage at the gauge.

They say when you get old, never trust a fart, well, I never trust a gauge in the dash....go right to the battery(s) to the alt of needed.

[BrownClown]

Batteries at the gauge are correct voltage and so is the alternator, but the starter battery is still losing volts. The dash has power and shows it bleeding down. They're going to try a different battery and see if that makes a difference.
This is the same guy that looked up the batteries wrong (left a negative ground off of the accessory battery and connected virtually everything to the same battery), so I'm a bit leery.