[C320-list] NO ELECREIFICATION

[Jeff Smith]

John,

I offer this only in the interest of understanding the issue, not to sound condescending.

Did you attempt to start the boat after taking apart the instrument panel? It sounds like you had a loose wire or a ground short that you might have "corrected" when you started moving wires around. When you ask if the fuse was loose, was it making contact when you disconnected it to check it? 

Your problem sounds like a loose wire somewhere in the circuit. I am more familiar with cars, but I do not believe the alternator is in the starting circuit. Because of this, an alternator fuse should not break the circuit. It would prevent your alternator from operating, which would keep it from charging your battery, but you should be able to start a car (or boat) with a fully charged battery and a non-working alternator. You just will not be able to run very long until you discharge your battery.

I do not know if this helps, and I expect to be corrected if I am wrong.

Cheers,

Jeff
'94, #121

On 5/13/19, 7:24 AM, "C320-list on behalf of John morrison" <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com on behalf of sail-ability at sympatico.ca> wrote:

    So when I went to start LuffinLife after a long cold winter; the ignition switch produced nothing! I took the instrument panel apart and checked all the wiring in there; the ignition switch and starter button tested OK. We then went to the wiring bundle on the engine under the alternator. We stirred all the wires there and discovered the fuse under there that folks ave been talking about. Anyhow the fuse appeared good. I went up and tried the ignition switch again and lo and behold we had electrification of the instrument panel and I could then start the engine. If that fuse was loose would it prevent power from getting to the instrument panel? What is the purpose of that fuse?
     I intend to inspect all the wires going into that bus bar under the alternator. Got to be something amis there.
    Thanls
    JEM
    1999#574