[C320-list] Instruments Not Working?

[John Brennan]

If they have power but aren’t reading data, check the ground connection. They likely share common wiring, and a loosely connected ground would act like that.

I recently lost all electrical power in a similar way, except, strangely, the diesel started right up. I had to cut short a trip to investigate. After much digging, I found the simple solution.

It turns out the main cable from the batteries to the ground buss bar was loose. In fact, the screw dropped out when I brushed the wire. When I reconnected it, everything worked.

The diesel started because the starter is grounded to the engine.

Like many problems on my new-to-me320, it’s not clear whether it was just poor maintenance or whether it was a parting gift from the owner before it was repossessed.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320 no. 528
Tierra Verde, Fl.


Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: ARTHUR GATES
Sent: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 9:36 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Instruments Not Working?

Our 1995 #182 sat in a FL boatyard the past 6 months and was launched 2 weeks ago.

Everything is fine except that the knotmeter, depth sounder, and wind machine do not read out.

The instruments are B&G NEMA 83 networked.  They all have power and illuminate for night running.
The wind machine repeats at the binnacle and bulkhead.  I also have a Raymarine S-1 autohelm, VHF and Garmin chart plotter networked.


Naturally there are 3 different transducers and I have checked connections for corrosion.

Any suggestions or things I might be missing?

Rollie