Electronics info for '84 Cat 30

[Seabrink2006]

Greetings,
I'm hoping to get some information on the do's and don'ts for an older Cat without an inverter. Someone please correct me if i'm wrong, but it appears that when i'm connected to shore power, and my battery selector is set to "off", the only thing getting power is my battery chargers. My question is, when on shore power, and batteries are charging, is it improper to use electrical systems while the "AC Master" switch is set to "on"? Also, in the event that i decide to use the boat as a livaboard, would it be wrong or dangerous to use common household appliances like a T.V., blender, or in extreme cases a microwave while on battery? I just want to be sure that I'm not going to turn my latest investment into a new reef in the marina. I would appreciate any helpful tips, hints, or advice that will help me adjust to this new style of boat. Thanks for your time and have a good one.
-Seabrink

 

[Stu Jackson]

Seabrink,

"It all Depends on How It's Wired."

Really. Since the boat is new to you, you may want consider following ALL of the wiring, and finding out how the charger and alternator charge your batteries.

Here are a few ideas:

Basic Battery Wiring Diagrams This is a very good basic primer for boat system wiring: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6604.0.html

This is another very good basic primer for boat system wiring: The 1-2-B Switch by Maine Sail (brings together a lot of what this subject is all about)
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=137615

Battery Bank Wiring http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7162.0.html

And these come from this thread:

Electrical 101 (C34 website/Forum)

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5977.0.html

Our systems are identical, like C30s, C34s, and C36s, also many other Catalinas.

Come back if you have more questions, we're glad to help.

 

[Seabrink2006]

Thank you for the info, looks like i'll have to trace it out to see what i'm working with. Would anyone happen to know of a good place to get a good schematic so i understand what i'm looking at? I appreciate any info, thanks and have a good one.
-Seabrink

 

[Stu Jackson]

www.catalina30.com might have a manual.

If not, what we have is pretty much what you "might" have on your boat if it is still OEM. For starters ONLY, since who knows what a PO might have done.

http://www.c34.org/manuals/1988/1988-C34-Owners.pdf

Get started on a wiring diagram, like the ones I mentioned above.

Good luck.

 

[Joe]

You can start at the external connection and just follow the wires. The charger will prevent the shorepower from getting in to the dc system.... but you might put a breaker between the master and the charger.... check the charger's specs. My shorepower setup has AC outlets throughout the boat for appliances, tools etc. It is separate from the DC system.... protected by the charger and the aforementioned breakers.

 

[Jon_E]

Unless you are the first owner of the boat as it came off the assembly line, you won't find the specific answer on the internet forums. It TOTALLY depends on how your boat is wired. Several boat owners before you may have futzed with it. For example when I bought my 77 Cat there must have been 50 yards of old dead wire that I had to remove.

On my boat the AC outlets in the cabin only work when plugged into shore power; there is no inverter. The battery charger taps onto that AC system, not the other way around. Don't assume that is how yours is wired, though.

 

[Me and Boo]

Check to see how your bilge pump is wired in. I leave my batt switch on and the bilge pump powered, just in case something happens and water gets in.

 

[Lost Parent]

I have an 82 and when plugged in you can use any 110volt plug as long as 110volt master switch is on and if living aboard you will still have 110v available would you not

 

[rbmcintire]

Our '84 C-30 is slipped at a marina and we leave the 120VAC power cord connected and the battery charger operating. The 1-2-B battery switch is turned to the OFF position when we leave the boat. The bilge pump and its float switch are wired directly to the house bank (no ON/OFF toggle switch at the navstation electrical panel). I check the battery water levels every time I get on the boat. It's a really really good idea to trace out and familiarize yourself with the boat's wiring.

Rob

 

[jrowan]

My C 30 is wired the same as Rob's, that is my bilge pump works while the battery switch is turned off. Make sure that you have your bilge pump wired directly to the battery, so that it always works. I do have a control switch wired between the battery & the bilge pump, mounted at the side of the electrical panel, so i can run the pump in manual or auto modes. Nothing is more important then to make sure your bilge pumps are working correctly. Next make sure that you have a working battery charger that runs automatically when your shore power is plugged in. It should be wired to a main 110 Amp shore power panel so that it is controlled via a breaker or fuse, if older style. Its also helpful to make sure that your alternator is actually producing an adequate voltage charge. If it is accidentally switched to off at the battery selector switch while the engine is running it will destroy the alternator diodes & will not charge. You can see what my updated electrical panels look like on my public profile pics in the album section. Good luck.