AC wiring failure - Beneteau 37

[davdd1]

My 2010 Beneteau 37 suddenly lost AC power to boat. Breaker connecting to shore power inlet is good. Jumper wires from breaker to panel fixed it. After cutting existing wiring I had access to each end which showed no continuity in either wire, only ground was good- proving that it was incomplete circuit but factory wiring was buried behind inaccessible area between hull & cabinetry. . So I just cut out original wiring that I could reach & rewired. It's inconceivable for BOTH wires to go out at once on a newish boat so I'm guessing there's something in that part of the circuit that I couldn't reach. Dealer said there's nothing back there & no storms or lightning. I was spending the night onboard when it happened & there were no storms or lightning. Heat pump shore power circuit works fine. No sign of damage or burn anywhere on sheathing that I had access to. Any ideas of what I'm missing that could cause this failure in both wires at once? Where can I get schematics to see if I'm missing something in this AC circuit?
thx, david

 

[Jackdaw]

It does sound like another breaker inline. How long is the run? AYBC code calls for breakers every 15? Feet? Is it factory or dealer wiring? The wiring diagram should be in your owner's manual. Also, your dealer can get you the digital PDF version.

 

[davdd1]

It does sound like another breaker inline. How long is the run? AYBC code calls for breakers every 15? Feet? Is it factory or dealer wiring? The wiring diagram should be in your owner's manual. Also, your dealer can get you the digital PDF version.

It's factory wiring. Your comment makes sense since the total run is @ 20' & the inaccessible portion of run was just about 15' from breaker coming in. Problem is there is no access or breaker anywhere near there since it was lower down the hull wall behind nav table/cabinets--nowhere near anything with access or breaker. I've got a call in to dealer but may need to call again to try to get schematic from him. Even though the owners manual did have a basic wiring diagram it showed NO other breaker or any connection between panel & line coming in, I'm not sure if the owners manual schematic tells the whole story & will try again to contact dealer for PDF. Maybe getting closer.
Thanks, Jackdaw. Appreciate your response.
david d

 

[Jackdaw]

I just talked with a friend of mine who is a dealer. He knew no other breaker inline. Suggested you look for a fuse in the panel. Can also send a manual, PM me your email.

 

[Newport Bob]

Two suggestions;
Contact Todd at Beneteau, he has been very helpful with some of my questions on my 373.
Also, sign up for an account at spareparts.beneteauusa.com - listing is by boat model, etc - you might see something

Bob
Sirene 373


Todd Cranford, Customer Service Spare Parts
Beneteau America | 1313 West Hwy 76 | Marion, SC 29571
Office: 8436295320 | Cell: 8436295320 | Fax: 843-629-5329 | t.cranford@beneteau.com

 

[davdd1]

Two suggestions;
Contact Todd at Beneteau, he has been very helpful with some of my questions on my 373.
Also, sign up for an account at spareparts.beneteauusa.com - listing is by boat model, etc - you might see something

Bob
Sirene 373


Todd Cranford, Customer Service Spare Parts
Beneteau America | 1313 West Hwy 76 | Marion, SC 29571
Office: 8436295320 | Cell: 8436295320 | Fax: 843-629-5329 | t.cranford@beneteau.com

Todd, Thank you--will do both suggestions.
-david

 

[Ron20324]

The 323 has breakers in the shore power circuit located in the Lazz, a bit back behind the lid, so not the easiest to spot. I beleive they are ABYC required to be withing 10 feet of the shore power connection panel. Follow the wires from the back of the the shore power connector box.

 

[davdd1]

The 323 has breakers in the shore power circuit located in the Lazz, a bit back behind the lid, so not the easiest to spot. I beleive they are ABYC required to be withing 10 feet of the shore power connection panel. Follow the wires from the back of the the shore power connector box.

Thanks, Ron. It's similar in the 37--I've located the breakers on the starboard laz bulkhead & I;ve followed back. My issue is about 3'-4' before it reaches panel which is inaccessible but perhaps nothing there anyway. Appreciate your reply.

 

[DougM]

Thanks, Ron. It's similar in the 37--I've located the breakers on the starboard laz bulkhead & I;ve followed back. My issue is about 3'-4' before it reaches panel which is inaccessible but perhaps nothing there anyway. Appreciate your reply.

There certainly should be nothing hidden. A possibility as to what happened my be a simple as a screw that was inadvertently put through the wire during construction, or a chafe point that wore through over time and caused an "open" condition rather than a short. If it was a short, it would have tripped a breaker.

What is the condition of the shore power receptacle itself and its connections?

There is also a ground fault receptacle in the AC circuit, did that trip? Was it tested to determine that it was functional?

 

[CCHer]

Did you check the breaker under the starboard seat just forward of the nav station. I had the same thing last year on my 37 and after much frustrating trouble shooting found that breaker had tripped. Only found that a second breaker was in the AC line after looking closely at the rather skimpy wiring diagram in the manual.

 

[davdd1]

Did you check the breaker under the starboard seat just forward of the nav station. I had the same thing last year on my 37 and after much frustrating trouble shooting found that breaker had tripped. Only found that a second breaker was in the AC line after looking closely at the rather skimpy wiring diagram in the manual.

So THAT'S where it was hiding--never knew it was there. TYVM, CCHer. You've solved my dilemma!