Or maybe it is just a challenge for me... I have two perplexing symptoms that do not seem quite right, maybe related, maybe not. In reinstalling my batteries for the upcoming season, I began with my starting battery, (much easier to get up the ladder on the hard) and hooked up the 1+ & 1- cables as marked from last season. While replacing my holding tank (another story completely) the only way to get power to the DC panel was to have the selector switch on both. Once Inspiration and Play was in the water yestarday I installed the house bank (2 6volt) and hooked them up to the 2+ & 2- cables. I disconected the starting battery and had the same problem (no power at 2 or 1, power on both) Then I reattached the sarting battery and I now have power at 1, both, 2. I have tried switching the positive cables and no change. Then while leaving the boat all power off with the selector in the 2 position I was watching the Heart battery monitor bounce betweem -.3 amps & +.7 amps. My batteries must be connected and stabalizing. I figure I have a bad selector switch. Maybe, I have not traced the cables to assure proper installation, that will be today. Or do I have a bad combiner, (Which doesn't take in to account the single battery install issue) My electrical system includes a negative bus bar, battery combiner, single 4 position selector switch, Heart 10 battery monitor for the house bank, 2 6 volt house battery bank and 1 group 27 sealed starting battery. I have searched the archives, refered to Sailboat electrics simplified by Don Casey, and Manageing 12 volts by Harold Barre no clue from these sources. Maybe it is very simple and I just can't see it I do not want to start replacing pieces without having an idea of what is going on. Thanks for your help.
Electrical experts challenge
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A/B Wired Incorrectly?
Is your A/B switch wired correctly (i.e. is the common wire(s) on the common terminal?)Mine was not correct when I got the boat. The common wire was on the A terminal. Did you connect 'all' the wires? (i.e. is there a stray one hanging down behind the battery?)
Is your A/B switch wired correctly (i.e. is the common wire(s) on the common terminal?)Mine was not correct when I got the boat. The common wire was on the A terminal. Did you connect 'all' the wires? (i.e. is there a stray one hanging down behind the battery?)
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Don
Decsription precise?
Your description of the 6V battery connections implies you connected them improperly - you should have three cables, not four. the third being a jumper between the + and - terminals. Can't tell from this description what the problem might otherwise be. If you are at.near BYY in Cowesset, I'd be happy to take a look to see if I can spot the problem. We're on Dock 3 there. Don
Your description of the 6V battery connections implies you connected them improperly - you should have three cables, not four. the third being a jumper between the + and - terminals. Can't tell from this description what the problem might otherwise be. If you are at.near BYY in Cowesset, I'd be happy to take a look to see if I can spot the problem. We're on Dock 3 there. Don
Electrical replies
Don, I do have a jumper cable between the 2 6 volt batteries. I am on dock 4 currently slip #30, hopefully going out today and will come back to #32 same dock. May see you there. Victor, I will check for the A/B wiring and for the extra wire. Any other suggetsions Thanks, Spencer
Don, I do have a jumper cable between the 2 6 volt batteries. I am on dock 4 currently slip #30, hopefully going out today and will come back to #32 same dock. May see you there. Victor, I will check for the A/B wiring and for the extra wire. Any other suggetsions Thanks, Spencer
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BarcaVela
Don't assume last years marking were correct
Quick Thought/story. Based on your comments, it sounds like the 3 batteries are all near/next to each other. Perhaps you did not correctly mark the battery cables, and are presuming them marked correctly during re-installation. Small story, I helped a friend of my dad's who couldn't start his power-boat outboard engine, some lights worked, but starter was running, albeit probably in reverse. turns out he mis-marked the battery cables when taking the batteries out in the fall -- perhaps he lifted the battery out and rotated it before then marking the cables. He wound-up switching + for - on both batteries.
Quick Thought/story. Based on your comments, it sounds like the 3 batteries are all near/next to each other. Perhaps you did not correctly mark the battery cables, and are presuming them marked correctly during re-installation. Small story, I helped a friend of my dad's who couldn't start his power-boat outboard engine, some lights worked, but starter was running, albeit probably in reverse. turns out he mis-marked the battery cables when taking the batteries out in the fall -- perhaps he lifted the battery out and rotated it before then marking the cables. He wound-up switching + for - on both batteries.
Excellent point - I will check it out
Upon further review I have found some other interesting symptoms that may be explained by the +, - switch. Battery #1 continues to only reach the DC Panel in the both position, While the #2 battery powers the DC panel in the 1, both, & 2 positions. I am unable to trace the wires from source to insertion because of modifications by the previous owner. I will do a continuity test to assure the wires I think are attached to the correct terminals, actually are. Thanks for the insight and the idiot check. It does make sense. Spencer
Upon further review I have found some other interesting symptoms that may be explained by the +, - switch. Battery #1 continues to only reach the DC Panel in the both position, While the #2 battery powers the DC panel in the 1, both, & 2 positions. I am unable to trace the wires from source to insertion because of modifications by the previous owner. I will do a continuity test to assure the wires I think are attached to the correct terminals, actually are. Thanks for the insight and the idiot check. It does make sense. Spencer
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