DC Circuit Breaker Failures

[quadrille38]

I have experienced two failures in DC circuit breakers this summer. One a 5 amp and the other a 10 amp. It hasn’t been a circuit tripping type of failure. More of a mechanical failure where the toggle just flops and will not engage.
The boat is a 2008 Hunter 38. From those I’ve talked to this seems to be a short life given that the boat sits unused on the hard from October to late April.
Has anyone experienced these kinds of failures in what I believe are Blue Seas breakers? I’m wondering if this is normal or whether there is some kind of product defect.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I've had three Airpax DC breakers slowly give up but they simply were tripping at lower and lower amperages before I changed them out.

The toggle going limp does sound like it could be leaning towards a mechanical failure. Have you talked to the manufacturer ?

 

[Benny17441]

A breaker may remain limp as long as there is a short circuit in the wiring or appliance. Make sure it is the breaker and not the circuit or appliance that is at fault. A friend had a pesky mouse get in the boat and chew on some of the wiring creating a short circuit which caused a breaker to blow. I guess the useful lifetime of a breaker is dictated by a finite number of flips and/or number of tripping incidents.

 

[quadrille38]

A breaker may remain limp as long as there is a short circuit in the wiring or appliance. Make sure it is the breaker and not the circuit or appliance that is at fault. A friend had a pesky mouse get in the boat and chew on some of the wiring creating a short circuit which caused a breaker to blow. I guess the useful lifetime of a breaker is dictated by a finite number of flips and/or number of tripping incidents.

Definitely not a device or appliance. First one was a 5 amp breaker that controlled knot meter, wind and speed instruments. New breaker installed and working just fine. Second one yesterday is a10 amp breaker that controls water pump. It did not trip, it just went limp like the internal mechanics fell apart.

in looking on line I see postings that the estimated life is supposed to be around 30 years. Given that my boat is laid up at least 6 months a year I’d expect the life to be maybe even longer.

 

[quadrille38]

The toggle going limp does sound like it could be leaning towards a mechanical failure. Have you talked to the manufacturer ?

Not yet but headed that direction

 

[dLj]

in looking on line I see postings that the estimated life is supposed to be around 30 years. Given that my boat is laid up at least 6 months a year I’d expect the life to be maybe even longer.

Not sure that matters. At least not much. There are too many things that simply break down with the passage of time.

dj

 

[quadrille38]

Not sure that matters. At least not much. There are too many things that simply break down with the passage of time.

dj

Definitely true although I was wondering if others have experienced similar failures that would indicate some sort of product defect. It just seems odd that and not coincidental that I would start seeing multiple failures. Our marina manager said its unusual to see failures this early in a boats life and they usually last much longer.

 

[LloydB]

Random thought here as I seem to remember occasionally reading in the installation instructions something like: this device for circuit protection not to be used as a switching device. I hesitate to ask how is it that you noticed it was limp when you went to use it?

 

[quadrille38]

Random thought here as I seem to remember occasionally reading in the installation instructions something like: this device for circuit protection not to be used as a switching device. I hesitate to ask how is it that you noticed it was limp when you went to use it?

When I leave the boat for the week I shut of everything that doesn’t need to run when we aren’t there. When we come back I switch on the breakers for things we need like the cabin lights, water pump, head, etc.

The first failure came when we were preparing to head out on a several week vacation. I switched on the instruments (or I tried to anyway) and the breaker had nothing. The second failure was yesterday when I arrived and switched on the water pump (I never leave the pump on when the boat us unattended for extensive periods - like all week).

Ironically as I was researching on line I found some information that indicates that you should periodically “exercise” the breaker / switches so that they seize or fail due to lack of use.

 

[Tally Ho]

When I leave the boat for the week I shut of everything that doesn’t need to run when we aren’t there. When we come back I switch on the breakers foe things we need like the cabin lights, water pump, head, etc.

The first failure came when we were preparing to head out on a several week vacation. I switched on the instruments (or I tried to anyway) and the breaker had nothing. The second failure was yesterday when I arrived and switched on the water pump (I never leave the pump on when the boat us unattended for extensive periods - like all week).

Ironically as I was researching on line I found some information that indicates that you should periodically “exercise” the breaker / switches so that they seize or fail due to lack of use.

This is how I do it too.

All DC breakers off when I leave except the refrigerator. Then I turn them on when I get to the boat.
Same with the AC side. Just the battery charger circuit is left on most of the time. Today I left the AFT outlet circuit on as I wanted to charge up a rechargeable flashlight that needed to be charged.

My boat is 34 years old (but I have only owned it for the last 8).

Greg

 

[quadrille38]

Update
I reached out to Blue Sea. They are very responsive and we are working on a solution. Very impressed with how quickly they responded and Their willingness to help.

 

[senang]

Quadrille38, according to information from Eddie Breeden when he was still actif the panel on the H38 is an Ultra panel. are you sure the breakers are Blue Sea? I have a breaker that is frozen in the on position. Luckily it is only for interior lighting.

 

[justsomeguy]

I’m wondering if this is normal or whether there is some kind of product defect.

They do have a service life of just so many toggles. Recently replaced my propane solenoid breaker which gets used quite a lot.

 

[quadrille38]

Quadrille38, according to information from Eddie Breeden when he was still actif the panel on the H38 is an Ultra panel. are you sure the breakers are Blue Sea? I have a breaker that is frozen in the on position. Luckily it is only for interior lighting.

I’m not sure and need to confirm that actually. Will Be checking this weekend.

 

[quadrille38]

Well they are not Blue Sea. They are Airpax pictures attached.

 

[CarlN]

It's not at all unusual to have a couple of circuit breakers fail over the years. Blue Sea do seem to be more reliable than most although I have had to replace several Blue Seas. One started tripping at far less than rated amperage.