Ken C
Member
After two successful short cruises, we returned to the new-to-us boat after a week for our third day-cruise to find no 12V power. Shore power correct, look for a simple explanation but eventually see voltmeter reads 11v. ah-oh. See that all switches in main panel were off including one labelled AC Converter. Having earlier convinced myself that all the circuits that are upstream of bat switches are in a panel in ER including two labelled charger out port and stbd I did not think I had turned off charger - but I had. Now recall that wife mentioned the fridge was cold. I sorta blew that off knowing the main panel fridge switch was off, "maybe it's just well insulated". I knew that was silly when I said it. Turns out along with bilge, blower, etc, there is also a switch in ER for 12v fridge. WHY
It gets better. I charge for awhile and get some power back on one bank but not on the bank running those upstream circuits. So maybe it's not just one bank but a breaker or something Did I mention that also powers the hatch lift?
No problem, boat has 4" access ports in sole to pull pins and manually lift hatch. Took some fanagling but got port pin out. Stbd pin is totally stuck. I've pulled so hard that I've deformed a pretty stout pull ring on pin. Spent about two hours sticking every tool I own into hole trying to get on pin. Cursed my luck having pin stuck now but I guess it could have been wedged for years without ever affecting electric lift. Ran out of time, ideas, and patience. Went home.
Went back next day, 1.5 hr one way, in the hopes that charger brought some power back and I could jog hatch lift switch enough to dislodge pin and start checking electrical. Nothing. In my agitated state I also forgot to turn off fridge (in fridge, not at ER panel) the previous day so at least did that. Spent two more hours putting the tips of various tools in the vicinity of a wedged pin that I can't see or reach. Again ran dry of ideas and patience.
I have a call in to mechanics familiar with the boat in the hopes I've overlooked something obvious. I'm not sure how much damage I've done to batteries, not even sure how various systems are split between banks (2 banks of 2x27M flooded 12v), but can't get in to start troubleshooting.
I know you would need many more details to offer useful advice, but most of them I either don't know or can't currently confirm. I mostly wrote this for my own therapy. I think it helped a little
It gets better. I charge for awhile and get some power back on one bank but not on the bank running those upstream circuits. So maybe it's not just one bank but a breaker or something Did I mention that also powers the hatch lift?
No problem, boat has 4" access ports in sole to pull pins and manually lift hatch. Took some fanagling but got port pin out. Stbd pin is totally stuck. I've pulled so hard that I've deformed a pretty stout pull ring on pin. Spent about two hours sticking every tool I own into hole trying to get on pin. Cursed my luck having pin stuck now but I guess it could have been wedged for years without ever affecting electric lift. Ran out of time, ideas, and patience. Went home.
Went back next day, 1.5 hr one way, in the hopes that charger brought some power back and I could jog hatch lift switch enough to dislodge pin and start checking electrical. Nothing. In my agitated state I also forgot to turn off fridge (in fridge, not at ER panel) the previous day so at least did that. Spent two more hours putting the tips of various tools in the vicinity of a wedged pin that I can't see or reach. Again ran dry of ideas and patience.
I have a call in to mechanics familiar with the boat in the hopes I've overlooked something obvious. I'm not sure how much damage I've done to batteries, not even sure how various systems are split between banks (2 banks of 2x27M flooded 12v), but can't get in to start troubleshooting.
I know you would need many more details to offer useful advice, but most of them I either don't know or can't currently confirm. I mostly wrote this for my own therapy. I think it helped a little