My buddy has a Hunter 35.5 and he just turned in his starter due to the fact that he had to whack it with a wrench for it to engage. The clerk at the marina said that the starter is usually not the problem and they (the marina) often has to install a relay in the system to generate enough current to start. In an attempt to save a few bucks, has anyone ever done this or heard of this problem?
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Only about a 100 times
Hunter installed the engine wiring harness with about 14 connections between the + battery terminal and the starter relay. Each connection causes a small voltage drop (~0.2 volts). 14x0.2=2.8 volts drop so that the starter solenoid sees 12-2.8=~9.2 volts. This is not enough to energize the solenoid and the whole thing just sits there and does nothing. One way to deal is to add a solenoid to control the solenoid and wire a new switch with fewer connections. Kinda dumb but lots of folks take that route. Since you have to wire the new solenoid why not just wire the old one and be done with it. I just hot wired a new push button starter switch in the companionway. Simple, quick, and works every time. Course you have to go forward from the helm to engage the starter or have crew do it for you but the motor starts.
Hunter installed the engine wiring harness with about 14 connections between the + battery terminal and the starter relay. Each connection causes a small voltage drop (~0.2 volts). 14x0.2=2.8 volts drop so that the starter solenoid sees 12-2.8=~9.2 volts. This is not enough to energize the solenoid and the whole thing just sits there and does nothing. One way to deal is to add a solenoid to control the solenoid and wire a new switch with fewer connections. Kinda dumb but lots of folks take that route. Since you have to wire the new solenoid why not just wire the old one and be done with it. I just hot wired a new push button starter switch in the companionway. Simple, quick, and works every time. Course you have to go forward from the helm to engage the starter or have crew do it for you but the motor starts.
I did add the relay!
There is a photo forum archive on the subject - type in relay under the search engine. The other thing I would add to Bill's comment is that the cable length / wire gauge does not meet Yanmar's recommended specifications - at least on my H34. I have 4 gauge wire throughout positive and negative connections and my total length was 20 ft. So, the wire resistance already provides a significant voltage drop to the starter and to aggrevate matters, the positive pick up point which feeds the control panel to engage the solenoid is at the starter. In summary, add the total voltage drop in the 4 gauge wires + all the voltage drop in connectors which engage the solenoid in the wiring harness and its amazing that the motor start at all!
There is a photo forum archive on the subject - type in relay under the search engine. The other thing I would add to Bill's comment is that the cable length / wire gauge does not meet Yanmar's recommended specifications - at least on my H34. I have 4 gauge wire throughout positive and negative connections and my total length was 20 ft. So, the wire resistance already provides a significant voltage drop to the starter and to aggrevate matters, the positive pick up point which feeds the control panel to engage the solenoid is at the starter. In summary, add the total voltage drop in the 4 gauge wires + all the voltage drop in connectors which engage the solenoid in the wiring harness and its amazing that the motor start at all!
Thanks Guy & Bill
I'll run both these by my friend and see what he wants to do. He would have asked himself, but he's a live-aboard and gets zero connectivity. Life should be so good! Thanks again, Wayne
I'll run both these by my friend and see what he wants to do. He would have asked himself, but he's a live-aboard and gets zero connectivity. Life should be so good! Thanks again, Wayne
A lot of folks wire a new push button starter
switch near the engine cover. Besides being out of the weather, it safeguards the starter switch inside the cabin when the boat is locked up.
switch near the engine cover. Besides being out of the weather, it safeguards the starter switch inside the cabin when the boat is locked up.
YANMAR CRANKING PROBLEM & FIX
We have a 2001 Alerion Express 28 with a Yanmar 1GM10 engine and Hitachi starter. She spent her first five years on salt water. We began having a starting problem two seasons ago. When the start button was pushed, either of two things would happen: She'd crank and fire up immediately with no problem OR There would be one single distinct metallic click. We had a yard mechanic look at her and he suggested a new solenoid. When it came time to install the solenoid, we were told the solenoid could not be purchased separately and that it was only available with a new starter; $90 suddenly grew to $500. We didn't go that route!!! This year, a friend in our marina looked at the situation and suggested a wiring/connection problem. Rather than waste the time and the effort (and the contortions required) tracing the wiring, we just ran a new 10ga tinned wire from the starter button to the solenoid. We did not add any extra relays as we never could figure out why that would be necessary. Knock on wood and the season's still very early, but problem resolved!!! Paul
We have a 2001 Alerion Express 28 with a Yanmar 1GM10 engine and Hitachi starter. She spent her first five years on salt water. We began having a starting problem two seasons ago. When the start button was pushed, either of two things would happen: She'd crank and fire up immediately with no problem OR There would be one single distinct metallic click. We had a yard mechanic look at her and he suggested a new solenoid. When it came time to install the solenoid, we were told the solenoid could not be purchased separately and that it was only available with a new starter; $90 suddenly grew to $500. We didn't go that route!!! This year, a friend in our marina looked at the situation and suggested a wiring/connection problem. Rather than waste the time and the effort (and the contortions required) tracing the wiring, we just ran a new 10ga tinned wire from the starter button to the solenoid. We did not add any extra relays as we never could figure out why that would be necessary. Knock on wood and the season's still very early, but problem resolved!!! Paul
Thanks for the PIc...
...this is fantastic! I've had the problem for several years, and this finally answers/shows the problem, logically! Now to find the time/place to do it!
...this is fantastic! I've had the problem for several years, and this finally answers/shows the problem, logically! Now to find the time/place to do it!
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