[C320-list] Perkins Engine - Glow Plug Activation

[Mark Cole]

So far, I’m the oldest hull to reply.  Fiddler’s Green, #8, has a three-position start switch and no start button.  Turning the key clockwise, the first position I’ll call “run” and powers the gauges.  The second position powers the glow plugs and the third position powers the starter.  The second and third position are spring loaded and the key will return to the first/run position when released.

I have to power the glow plugs for 45 seconds to get the engine to start.  Sounds like I may need new glow plugs?

There are quite a few manuals on the Perkins Perama available for download on the Catalina Owners website and here is a link <https://catalina.sailboatowners.com/dl/downloads.php?mid=87>.  I found “Operating Instructions” for the M30 that includes the wiring schematic for the start switch and can send you a copy of that if you want.  (If I remember correctly, I can’t include attachments in this forum…)  The schematic has position one labeled “instrumentation and run”, position 2 labeled “glowplug” and position 3 labeled “glowplug and crank”.

Mark Cole
Fiddler’s Green, #8
Puget Sound

> On May 30, 2019, at 10:10 AM, Scott Lagerquist <lgrqst at aol.com> wrote:
> 
> Dave,
> My 1994 Catalina 320, #39 also has the Perkins M30.  My ignition has the on position (powers the gauges), the spring loaded position (powers the glow plugs), and a separate spring loaded start button (powers the starter solenoid when pressed).  So the glow plugs receive power only when the key is held in the clockwise (spring loaded position) and loses power when the key is back to the on position.  
> 
> One question for Perkins M30 owners; how long do you need to engage the power to your glow plugs when starting the engine?  Sea Esta seems to take 20-30 seconds.  I wonder if that is normal?
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Scott Lagerquist
> Sea Esta, 1994, #39
> San Diego CA
> Silver Gate Yacht Club
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On May 29, 2019, at 9:28 PM, Dave Chase <londoc at blackbury.com> wrote:
>> 
>> We have a '94 C320 with Perkins M30. While installing a Balmar MC-614 regulator, I was tracing the ignition ckt wiring. I noted that the key switch has three connections: "Pwr", "Ignition On", and "Start". "Ignition On" is connected to "Pwr" when the key is turned to the right, which provides power to the panel and engine electronics (via a ckt breaker).  "Start" is connected to "Pwr" when the key is held to the far right against the detent and is connected to the Starter button which will activate the starter solenoid.
>> 
>> The glow plug relay is currently connected to the "Ignition On" position, which means that the glow plugs will be energized whenever the key is on. I am thinking that the relay should be connected to the Start position which will energize the glow plugs only while the switch is held to the right prior to starting. Can anybody confirm?
>> 
>> Dave Chase
>> 
>> 1994 Cat 320 (#97) "Indigo"
>> 
>