I need some help. I came up to my boat yesterday to find that my Battery Volts display (for both the house and start batteries) is not illuminated while DC current flows to the 12 VDC display with regard to all other purposes (panel lights, deck lights, instruments, water pump, anchor lights, steaming lights, nav lights, etc). Moreover, the following do not function: cockpit stereo speakers, cockpit light between stereo speakers, cockpit light in engine panel and the main cabin overhead lights. All other functions, including starting the engine with the house and start batteries function properly. Ideas?
12 Vdc
- Thread starter dermana
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most common problems have a common source - a bad ground connection. Do you have a wiring diagram?
Grounding
Thanks, I have a writing diagram. I can start my engine and other functions are working under battery power. Why is my Battery Volt meter and a few DC functions (some lights, etc.) not working, while others work just fine? Could a bad ground connection cause some functions to work while others would not work?
Thanks, I have a writing diagram. I can start my engine and other functions are working under battery power. Why is my Battery Volt meter and a few DC functions (some lights, etc.) not working, while others work just fine? Could a bad ground connection cause some functions to work while others would not work?
No, it doesn't HAVE to be a ground wire, it could be any wire in those circuits. Open things up and check the connections.
Not necessarily but common electrical problems are usually the result of a systemic fault such as a bad common ground connection. The reason I suggested you look at a wiring diagram is that is the best way to identify what is common in the circuit path you have faults in. Note that you can often be misled into thinking a connection is good by just looking at it.
There are several busses behind the electrical panel. Are all the appliances on the same row on the electrical panel? A common ground or power for any of these busses would cause what you are describing. Going to need to pull the panel and see what is there.
Could I have a bad circuit breaker (is this a busses?)? I have two circuit breakers for cabin lights. One above the other on the aft row of three rows of circuit breakers. One circuit breaker appears to work. When I hit it certain lights go on an off. The other circuit breaker does not appear to be working...when I hit it...nothing happens. Does the fact that some appliances work on the same row indicate that my problem is not a common ground or power for any of these busses (circuit breakers)?
A buss is a common connection point like a bar on which you will see a number of screwed connections. It could be a bad connection to it or could be a bad breaker. Breaker switches can go bad.
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