[C320-list] Update: New Owner: Battery, Electrical and Starting Problems

[Leonard Hooks]

One problem solved.  I was advised by a sailboat repair specialist and
fellow Catalina owner to clean my battery connections first.  After doing
that, I connected a portable battery booster borrowed from my marina and
connected it directly to my number one battery but was not getting any
power to the pedestal.  It turns out there is a breaker next to my battery
switch that had tripped.  Apparently the draw of the starter against the
low batteries kept tripping the breaker if the engine did not start
quickly. Then I learned how to start a Yanmar 3gm with less than adequate
electrical power.

By opening three levers on the top of the cylinders, it relieves the
compression and allows the engine to spin.  In my case the engine tripped
and started easily.  I was told that sometimes you have to have someone
pushing the starter button and then someone else throwing the levers closed
after the engine starts spinning.

So I learned several new things and hope this is helpful to someone else.

Leonard Hooks
Revelation 2001 #856


On Mon, May 20, 2019 at 6:09 PM jackbrennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
wrote:

> Hi Leonard:
> Welcome to 320 World.
> The multimeter is your key. First, use it to test the output of your
> plugged-in charger. There should be large cables extending to your
> batteries.
> Be careful not to electrocute yourself.
> If it has output of 13.5 to 14 and your batteries are dead, obviously, you
> need new ones.
> Also check the output of your alternator once the engine is running.
> You should see 13.5 to 14 or so, depending on conditions.
> Jack BrennanSonas, 1998 Catalina 320Tierra Verde, Fl.Dolphin Cruising Club
> of Tampa Bay
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
>
>   On Sat, May 18, 2019 at 1:38 PM, Leonard Hooks<lehooks at gmail.com>
> wrote:   We are the new owners of 2001 - #856 also known as Revelation.
> This site
> was a great comfort in purchasing our new boat and we look forward to
> participating.
>
> Our saga is just over a month old. We moved her from the Dallas area to
> Lake Waco, just 3 minutes from our house.  Then just 3 weeks later, our
> battery charger (ProNautic 1230P) stopped charging the batteries (2 4D's).
> They were dropping into the 11v range and I started diagnostics from
> ProMariner.  Before I could complete the tests to determine the problem,
> our lake rose 16 feet due to heavy rains. Needless to say, all power is off
> at the marina and will be for at least another 3 weeks.  The batteries are
> now in the lower 11v and upper 10's.
>
> I took a borrowed battery booster to the boat in an attempt to start the
> engine and charge the batteries.  The booster was connected to one battery
> and my battery switch was set to that one battery. At first, there was
> power to the pedestal since the fuel gage engaged. The engine turned slowly
> a few times but did not start.  After checking the connections to the
> battery and switching the battery switch to both batteries, the boat lost
> power to the pedestal - the fuel gauge would not even power up.
>
> Since first there was power to the pedestal and now not, I am guessing a
> fuse has blown.  I did not have a multimeter to start checking connections
> but will take one back next time. The engine is a Yanmar 3GM30F.
>
> Any suggestions on where to start and what to check?
>
> Thank you.
> Leonard Hooks
> Revelation #856
> Soli Deo Gloria
>
>

-- 
Leonard Hooks
A-1 Banner & Sign Co. Inc.
254-722-0775 cell

Soli Deo Gloria