Electrical Problems

[Irene]

When we switch the engine off all the electrics go off,has anyone got any ideas what the problem could be?

[steve hayes]

When we switch the engine off all the electrics go off,has anyone got any ideas what the problem could be?

 

Battery Isolator switched off ?

[frangar]

Either totally flat batteries or a faulty(or off) isolator or maybe a blown main fuse meaning that all the domestic power is being supplied by the alternator.....Hard to diagnose online!!

 

Have you got any more info such as has it always done it...what type of boat (narrowboat or outboard powered cruiser etc)...

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

[alan_fincher]

Do you mean absolutely nothing works in any way at all, unless the engine is running ?

 

You are, presumably, able to restart the engine, though ? In that case at least your starter battery must be good, and connected.

 

It sounds like your domestic battery bank could be completely flat ??

 

How many alternators have you, and (if only one), do you know what kind of "split charging" your boat has. That is does it use a relay, diodes, or just a big swich with OFF-1-2-Both on it ?

 

Do you have one, (usually red), alternator warning light - does it go out as it should, once the engine is running ?

[Chalky]

If you've got domestic power with the engine running you're probably running the whole lot off the alternator not the batteries. When the alternator stops turning then you've got no power. I'd be checking things like the battery voltages, looking for any big fuse on the battery supply or checking that I'd not turned the battery isolator off. I'd also check for damaged / loose / broken wires / terminals in the battery / alternator / fusebox circuit and that there's water in the batteries. Chances are it'll be something obvious.

 

That's assuming that you're not on a land line.

 

If you have knocked the batteries of whilst the alternator is running there's the possibility you could have load dumped the electrical system

[Smelly]

Where are you at the mo?

[Irene]

Either totally flat batteries or a faulty(or off) isolator or maybe a blown main fuse meaning that all the domestic power is being supplied by the alternator.....Hard to diagnose online!!

 

Have you got any more info such as has it always done it...what type of boat (narrowboat or outboard powered cruiser etc)...

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

Its a 40ft narrow boat,with 3 new liesure battries the only battery that is still working is the starter one which is on a differant isolter switch

[frangar]

Well its pointing to either a main fuse from the domestic batteries or the domestic isolator.....have you tried tracing the cable from the domestic batts back to the alternator? Do you have any means of checking the voltage in domestic batteries?

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

[Chalky]

Does the engine control panel have one or two alternator warning lights? Do it / they both go out when the engine is running?

 

Do you have a volt meter / battery gauge and if you do what's the voltage of the domestic batteries.

[Irene]

Where are you at the mo?

Sale on The Bridgewater

 

If you've got domestic power with the engine running you're probably running the whole lot off the alternator not the batteries. When the alternator stops turning then you've got no power. I'd be checking things like the battery voltages, looking for any big fuse on the battery supply or checking that I'd not turned the battery isolator off. I'd also check for damaged / loose / broken wires / terminals in the battery / alternator / fusebox circuit and that there's water in the batteries. Chances are it'll be something obvious.

 

That's assuming that you're not on a land line.

 

If you have knocked the batteries of whilst the alternator is running there's the possibility you could have load dumped the electrical system

Thanks for your input will go through everything when go on board again

[Eeyore]

When we switch the engine off all the electrics go off,has anyone got any ideas what the problem could be?

 

Hello Irene

PM sent

Steve

[Keeping Up]

Isolator switches are not very reliable. With the engine switched off, try putting a screwdriver across the terminals of the domestic isolator switch for a few seconds.

[DeanS]

Sale on The Bridgewater

 

Are you heading towards or away from Manchester/Castlefield Basin...?

[Irene]

Are you heading towards or away from Manchester/Castlefield Basin...?

We are on our moorings at Sale

[Irene]

When we switch the engine off all the electrics go off,has anyone got any ideas what the problem could be?

problem solved!one battery dead!which ran hot and blew a 130amp mega fuse!good job that fuse was there or we would have had a bigger problem! many thanks Eeyore(Steve)for your help

Edited June 14, 2012 by Irene

[Guest]

problem solved!one battery dead!which ran hot and blew a 130amp mega fuse!good job that fuse was there or we would have had a bigger problem! many thanks Eeyore(Steve)for your help

 

Glad you are sorted

 

- we are just wading through getting our battery and charger issue sorted...fun isn't it...

[Eeyore]

problem solved!one battery dead!which ran hot and blew a 130amp mega fuse!good job that fuse was there or we would have had a bigger problem! many thanks Eeyore(Steve)for your help

Thank you Irene

Its one to remember; not all faulty batteries smell bad, make fizzing sounds or are wet on top.

Multimeter for your birthday?

Steve (Eeyore)