Hello, All replies appreciated. I have a Catalina 30 and am having problems with the electrics. The battery charger has stopped charging, when I start the engine the amps dial indicates that the batteries are taking a charge of + 40 amps. When I select the batteries individually one battery will start the engine the other will not turn it over, yet both batteries show the same voltage when I put a meter across the terminals (during this test the batteries were completely disconnected). Anyone have any suggestions.
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Electrics
Bill If you have an ammeter in your cockpit engine panel, you need to upgrade the wiring harness. Most likely, there is a rotten connection in the molded connectors either behind the cockpit panel or the connector at the engine. Go to www.c34.org, use the search engine to find "wiring harness upgrade" (search exact phrase) and read all about it. Other possibilities include bad wiring, or bad connections at one end or both of any wires from the batteries to the switch. Do your lights work on both (each, separately) batteries?
Bill If you have an ammeter in your cockpit engine panel, you need to upgrade the wiring harness. Most likely, there is a rotten connection in the molded connectors either behind the cockpit panel or the connector at the engine. Go to www.c34.org, use the search engine to find "wiring harness upgrade" (search exact phrase) and read all about it. Other possibilities include bad wiring, or bad connections at one end or both of any wires from the batteries to the switch. Do your lights work on both (each, separately) batteries?
Same problem
I had the same problem in my 30tr. I found the cables on the battery were loose. Cleaning and tightening solved the problem. The connections were good enough to run the lights and small items, but would not turn the engine properly.
I had the same problem in my 30tr. I found the cables on the battery were loose. Cleaning and tightening solved the problem. The connections were good enough to run the lights and small items, but would not turn the engine properly.
Batteries
Keep in mind that when batteries go bad they will often show good volts but when a load is applied they don't have umph to turn the motor over (Amps). Many times low draw items such as lights will continue to work normally. You can take the batteries out and take them to Auto Zone and they can put a load on them to see if this is your problem. You can also hook up a volt meter to the battery selected for starting and turn the motor over. If the voltage drops below 10 volts you need new batteries. Been there and done that Tim
Keep in mind that when batteries go bad they will often show good volts but when a load is applied they don't have umph to turn the motor over (Amps). Many times low draw items such as lights will continue to work normally. You can take the batteries out and take them to Auto Zone and they can put a load on them to see if this is your problem. You can also hook up a volt meter to the battery selected for starting and turn the motor over. If the voltage drops below 10 volts you need new batteries. Been there and done that Tim
Battery Wiring
I had a similar problem last year. The solution was to replace all the battery cables between the alternator, selector switch and batteries. Over time, internal corrosion caused reduced current flow. With new cables, everything is working great. Just make sure you use proper gauge wires and appropriate crimpers.
I had a similar problem last year. The solution was to replace all the battery cables between the alternator, selector switch and batteries. Over time, internal corrosion caused reduced current flow. With new cables, everything is working great. Just make sure you use proper gauge wires and appropriate crimpers.
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