1997 Cat 270 instrument panel

[bawlmer]

Fellow sailors. I just purchased a 1997 catalina 270 with a Westerbeke W20B. The audio alarms do not work. I ordered a new audio buzzer from Catalina and I am betting that is the fix. Has anyone out there had similar issues with the audio alarms? Are there any detours I should know? All experience and lessons learned will be greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance for your wisdom and help.

 

[Meriachee]

The buzzers are a common point of failure. If there is no light showing, either temperature or oil pressure, replacing the buzzer should fix you up.

There is also a dedicated c270 Yahoo group, catalina270.
Cheers
Gary

 

[bawlmer]

Thanks Gary. It should be in any day now. I will let you know how It works out. I will also check into the Yahoo group.
-Steve

 

[Meriachee]

Pleasure. The group is handy to find all new and interesting ways of disassembling the boat. Ha ha.

 

[bawlmer]

Does Anyone Recognize This Panel?

Hello Again. Does Anyone recognize the panel in this picture? This is what is on my 1997 Cat 270 with a Westerbeke 20B. The book has 2 panels listed. A captains and and admirals panel. Neither one fits this description. I replaced a buzzer and when the new one didn't work I dove in only to find my wiring diagram was different than what was in the book. The word "seaward" was written in the book by the PO. If anyone is familiar with this panel or has any documentation or wisdom it would be most welcome. Thanks very much...Steve

 

[Calif. Ted]

Same panel was used on my "94 with a Perkins engine, found the following in my files from Seaward.




UPGRADES TO ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS


The term UPGRADE refers to making functional improvements to the UNIVERSAL DIESEL engine control system, to make it compatible with a STANDARD that was introduced in the 1993 model year by Seaward & Catalina Yachts. This applies to UNIVERSAL DIESEL ENGINES ONLY! Westerbeke and Yanmar Diesel engines already have these improvements in place.
ENGINE PANELS built to this Standard have been identified with the words "TYPE A HIGH EFFICIENCY SYSTEM". In 1993, when this standard was introduced, ALL Catalina boats from C-27 to C-38 used the rectangular shaped engine control panel. Then in 1996, Seaward introduced a TRAPEZOIDAL version for the C-28, C-30, C-320 and the Morgan 38, and a SQUARE version for the C-400. In 1999, the NAVPOD engine control pod was introduced for the C27 through the Morgan 380 and a “new” rectangular engine control panel was added for the C400 thru C470. All wiring and components are basically the same as in the earlier rectangular version.

 

[bawlmer]

Thanks Ted. If I find a wiring diagram I will share with all.

Same panel was used on my "94 with a Perkins engine, found the following in my files from Seaward.




UPGRADES TO ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS


The term UPGRADE refers to making functional improvements to the UNIVERSAL DIESEL engine control system, to make it compatible with a STANDARD that was introduced in the 1993 model year by Seaward & Catalina Yachts. This applies to UNIVERSAL DIESEL ENGINES ONLY! Westerbeke and Yanmar Diesel engines already have these improvements in place.
ENGINE PANELS built to this Standard have been identified with the words "TYPE A HIGH EFFICIENCY SYSTEM". In 1993, when this standard was introduced, ALL Catalina boats from C-27 to C-38 used the rectangular shaped engine control panel. Then in 1996, Seaward introduced a TRAPEZOIDAL version for the C-28, C-30, C-320 and the Morgan 38, and a SQUARE version for the C-400. In 1999, the NAVPOD engine control pod was introduced for the C27 through the Morgan 380 and a “new” rectangular engine control panel was added for the C400 thru C470. All wiring and components are basically the same as in the earlier rectangular version.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I don't remember if I ever found a schematic for the panel Steve, I do have a couple pages from Seaward describing the various gauges, alarms, and lights. It's in .doc format (MS Word). I'll try to PM or Email it to you, if you can't open it let me know and I'll try pasting it into another format.

 

[bawlmer]

Ted. Got it. I will read through it. thanks very much. The more I investigate this the more I think that the panel is miswired as there is no Oil Pressure switch connection from the engine. I will let you know what I come up with. thanks...Steve

I don't remember if I ever found a schematic for the panel Steve, I do have a couple pages from Seaward describing the various gauges, alarms, and lights. It's in .doc format (MS Word). I'll try to PM or Email it to you, if you can't open it let me know and I'll try pasting it into another format.

 

[bawlmer]

Update. I dove into the wiring Saturday. I found the O/P sender wire disconnected in the panel. I traced it down to find the sender was not pulling hard enough to ground (900 ohms with no O/P) to set of the buzzer and bulb which are in series. I grounded the sender line and everything went off like it should. It appears the engine has a sender (variable output) instead of a O/P switch (On or Off). This may make a little sense as the old admiral's panel has a O/P gauge which needs a sender. The Seaward high efficiency panel uses a light and buzzer which requires a switch. I sent an email to Westerbeke with the same question and requested their wisdom. Let's see how they respond. I will update as things progress.

 

[Meriachee]

Steve,

The Westerbeke wiring in the "blue binder" shows the panel buzzer driven by a switch for the temp. The dial gauge is driven by the temp sender. The oil pressure has a very similar setup. Does this document show test procedures of any kind?

 

[bawlmer]

Hello again. OK. I finally found the schematic for the "Seaward High Efficiency A" Panel from the Catalina website. It is attached. I have been talking with both Westerbeke and Catalina tech support. It comes out that Catalina has very little info on the Westerbeke interfaces as they only used that engine for a short time.
Westerbeke is also being helpful. They state the OP switch (and it is a switch, not a sender) is a open/ close type that supplys 12 VDC to the panel when the engine is running (OP normal). When the switch is open(OP low) there is a 1K pull down resistor in series with the output that should supply sufficient ground to activate the alarm and light on the panel. This is where we go off the tracks as there is not enough ground to fully activate these alarms. Westerbeke tech support is still chewing on this. This weekend my task is to check that 1k resistor and see if it is any good. If it is not then that will be the root cause. If the resistor is in spec we will push on until the culprit is found.
I will keep you updated. Thanks...Steve

Steve,

The Westerbeke wiring in the "blue binder" shows the panel buzzer driven by a switch for the temp. The dial gauge is driven by the temp sender. The oil pressure has a very similar setup. Does this document show test procedures of any kind?

 

[bawlmer]

Also. I apologize for not answering your original question. There is no test procedure specified in the manual. However you can test the alarm circuitry on the panel by applying a ground to either the water or oil temp switch (not sender) wires from the engine.

 

[bawlmer]

Everyone. Just to wrap this up it appears no one from Westerbeke has an answer to my problem. I maintain this is a design issue and cannot be fixed unless a relay is installed. Until that time I will put up with the impotent sounding warning buzzer. I invite anyone who has a W20 with a "Seaward High Efficiency A" panel to let me know if their oil pressure buzzer is robustly sounding. Thanks...Steve