Boofleman

Hello Arthur. Thanks for your message. All I can recall is that the batteries were particularly low at that time. The domestics had been running the fridge, water pumps, etc., and the engine battery also runs the bow thruster which, had had a few bursts that morning. The various replies I have received have lead me to think that the problem was caused by excessive charge being required. My concern now is how to best avoid future problems. Your (and all) advice very much appreciated. Graham

Hello guys, Thanks so very much. It seems I am getting somewhere and, at least if nothing else, by upgrading the circuit I'm making it safer. However, and sorry to be a bit thick and a pain, but can anyone give me some clarification on the installation of the shunt? There is an very good article on Canal World that details the installation of a shunt but it refers to a digital ammeter. I have a replacement 2" Bosh round dial meter that just has an in and out terminal plus the lamp. I'm assuming the shunt is merely wired in series into the -ve feed from batteries to fuse box. Then taking feeder wires from each side of the shunt up to the ammeter. Should I do same for both ammeters (engine battery and domestic batteries)? Am I on the right lines and anything else I should do ? Thanks a million Graham

Hi Jess, Although my nose was stuck to the dash trying to ascertain where the burning smell was coming from, I did not think to look at the amps being produced. However, you may have hit on a point because that morning the fridge was thawing and the lights dimmed when I flushed the loo. I have 3 x 110 Ah leisure batteries but I think one may be on the way out. If this should be the reason (as you suggest), how would I protect my wiring and meter at future times the batteries are low ? Thanks

Many thanks to all for your advice and suggestions. I'll try to put together a reply that addresses most of the questions: When I joined the two wires to the (removed) gauge I did do so with a bolt and nut and made a good tight joint. The wires to/from the gauge are heavy cables - coloured brown/yellow. No thin wires are used. When I moved the amp meters it was only a few inches and I did not need to extend the existing cables. I have seen, on the internet, mention of a shunt. On my system there is a 'lump' of some alloy metal that is cast with what seem to be cooling fins. It measures about 5 x 4 inches and about an inch thick. The only marking on it is "Warwick Organs" and "12 Volt". The brown/yellow cables to the amp meters come from this 'lump'. Would this be a shunt? The gauges are mounted on a wood dash. The wires get hot ONLY with the engine running and have only recently started to get hot. This has not happened immediately after moving the gauges but some months later. I'm thinking that a short would occur all of the time, or at least all the time the ignition is on. However, this burning is taking place only when the engine is running (charging) and, as I have indicated above, not all the time the engine has been running. I was rather hoping there would be a simple remedy so looks like I need to bring in a specialist. However, any further thoughts would be appreciated. Again, thanks to all

Hello all. Hoping you are enjoying this good summer weather. Can someone help me with a 12 volt wiring problem, please? Recently my boat amp meter decided to melt. In fact the heavy brown and yellow cable to the meter was also very hot. Stopping the engine also stopped the burning and, after a short while, I was able to remove the gauge. Only problem then was, nothing in the 12 volt system would work. I made a temporary join of the two heavy brown/yellow cables and all was restored but also, when engine running, so was the burning. Fortunately I was not far from my mooring and was able to get a tow home. I now have the cable joined to give me use of the general electrics but cannot start the engine for fear of melting the cables. The fact that the cables get hot without the gauge indicates to me that replacing the gauge will not solve the problem. Some months ago I moved the amp meters (I have two) and thought I had labeled everything correctly. Although I have not made many hours cruising this burning problem has not been apparent until my last small trip. As you may guess, 12 volt wiring is not a strong point for me so any replies need to be in simple terms. Can anyone help please ? Many thanks