12 volt power loss -Off & On

[jgfondue]

I have a 1993 Regal Valanti 24' cruiser. When hooked up to shore power, all 12 volt equipment works. Everything ususally works when disconnected and leaving from the dock. Some days everything works without a hitch and some days, within 15 or 20 minutes, I lose power to my trim tabs, horn, blower, bilge pump and when I try to use any of these, my fuel gauge bottoms out at empty until I release the switch. My alternator shows charging at 14 volts and I have no problem starting or running the engine. All wires seem ok and are not frayed or broken and all equip. works when on shore power.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 12 volt power loss -Off & On

jgfondue <br />Sounds like a loose or corroded connection at the battery. Remove the wires and give them a good cleaning and make sure all grounds are clean and tight.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 12 volt power loss -Off & On

I think rick is right on carefully check all ground connections involved.

 

[crazybear-uk]

Re: 12 volt power loss -Off & On

hi <br />are all these items on the same fused circuit<br />if they are it sounds like low amperage to me check feed conection to that fuse and carfully check the fuse i have had a lot of fuses recently that look OK but on carfull inspection have bad conection at the ends of the fuse were the wire is soldered to the caps. what happens to the other items on different circuits ie nav light etc when this happens?<br />regards<br />mark

 

[Boatist]

Re: 12 volt power loss -Off & On

Jgfondue<br />First question I have is do you have more than one battery?? If you have two batteries how do you charge second battery?? Is second battery charged from shore power and not from your engine?? Do you have a battery switch set to battery 1 so engine does not charge second battery?? If you have a second battery have you checked it voltage when have problem. Could just be a bad second battery.<br />My thoughts are you have two batteries one for starting and one for everything else. When hooked to shore power both batteries are charged so when you leave the dock everything works until second battery goes dead. Many boats with two batteries also have a battery switch 1/2/both/off. If your does and it is set to 1 then will only charge battery 1 so second 2 can go dead. If you set to both then can charge both while under way but when stop second bad battery will run down starting battery.<br /><br />If you only have one battery: To start with I do not belive it is a fuse as many of the things you listed have there own fuse. Could be a Master fuse in engine area.<br />Since it always works from shore power then wireing must be ok from point where your shore power charger hooks up on. This means problem is between battery and point where shore power hooks up. Could be bad ground or 12 volt line. Look for loose or corroded connections.<br />Good Luck and please tell us what you find.

 

[crazybear-uk]

Re: 12 volt power loss -Off & On

HI<br />Boatist <br />i never implied that all those item were on one fuse only (although they could be). Over here we sub divide all fused circiuts and protect them with a master fuse. So you could have more than one master fuses which is still a fuse where ever it is sited. this is why i went on to ask what happened to the other items i.e. nav light<br />regards<br />mark

 

[Boatist]

Re: 12 volt power loss -Off & On

Crazybearuk<br />We do it the same way here. Usually a master fuse or two on or near the engine. Then wire up to your switch panel and all the iteams he reported have there own fuse. It can be a master fuse and should be checked since it is quick and easy. I have seen the problem you talked about many times working 35 years in the computer business. The only thing is if it is a high amp fuse like a master fuse if they make and brake usually go ahead and open up. Still a great idea that must be checked and no one else thought of.<br />Thanks

 

[moderator1]

Re: 12 volt power loss -Off & On

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