[C320-list] Thanks and Electrical Help Needed

[argates2nd at comcast.net]

Myron, 
I had a similar problem which turned out to be corrosion on the starter motor leads causing intermittent contact. The leads are port side, mid Perkins = 2 blade connections. 
Rollie #182 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Myron D Welch" <myron-welch at uiowa.edu> 
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 5:37:38 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [C320-list] Thanks and Electrical Help Needed 


________________________________________ 
I have #238 with the Perkins engine, which I purchased new in 1995. When I launched earlier this month in northern Lake Michigan, I found the dreaded muffler leak. Fortunately, I had several issues of the Mainsheet with me that I had not read. One had Karl's article on removing and replacing the muffler. As with most things on this list, it was most helpful. Thanks Karl, et.al. My boat hauler's glass man did an excellent job of repairing the muffler. 

About 3 years ago I had a problem starting my trusty Perkins. I would warm the glow plugs and it would beep as usual, then nothing happened when I pushed the starter button. I eventually got it to start by turning off the refer and putting the selector switch on both, but not every time. I checked the button and it was making contact. I bought a new switch, but before I put it in, someone suggested polishing all connections real well, especially the grounds. I did that and it worked, so I did not replace the switch. 

The first 3 times I sarted the engine this year it was fine. Then last Tuesday I had the same problem. I plugged the shore power back on, ran the charger and it started. I then motorsailed for 5 hours to my next destination and left the charger off after I got in my slip. The batteries did not hold their charge well (I have a Link 2000) and since they were 7 years old, I just figured new batteries were needed. I installed new batteries on Thursday and still had the same problem. I again had to use the shorepower and charger to get it started. When I got back to my slip, it would not start. I pulled off the negative battery ground on the engine, cleaned, tightened, yanked both positive and negative cables, ( I could not reach the positive terminal on the started) and it worked like new. The next three starts the following days were fine. 

This morning I had the same problem -- no contact. I wiggled the battery cables again but it did no good. Plugged the charger back in and it eventually started. 

Suggestions? Should I change the switch? Could it be the starter? How do you get a wrench on the positive terminal of the starter? 

Thanks for your help. 

Myron Welch 
Wind Instrument #238 
Iowa City, Iowa