Alpha One Gen II Question---- Electrical problem

[Firemedic724]

I have a 2004 Rinker 290 with twin alpha one gen II outdrives. This morning went outside to de-winterize and start them up. The boat is plugged into the house in my driveway and when I went to put the muffs on I felt a slight electrical zap on the starboard side outdrive. I unplugged the shorepower and it does not do it anymore. Is this normal? I have no electrical mercathode system just zincs.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

Is this normal?

no

sounds like you have an issue with your AC system or on board charger/converter

 

[Firemedic724]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

The air conditioning? The circuits are all turned off with the exception of the battery charger. So that is probably the culprit? How do I check this?

 

[dubs283]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

The air conditioning?

no, the AC voltage system, more commonly referred to as "shore power"

just because the charger is the only AC breaker on does not mean there isn't a short elsewhere

start by troubleshooting the charger, like plug in the shore power with the charger on - see if the "zap" is there, if so then turn off the charger leaving the shore power plugged in. if the "zap" goes away you know the charger is an issue, if the "zap" stays the issue is elsewhere...

 

[Firemedic724]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

I kicked myself in the butt when I replied with the ac question. Lol.. looks like it is an ac issue. I switched off the batt charger and I still get a small zap when I touch the outdrives?

 

[dubs283]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

I switched off the batt charger and I still get a small zap when I touch the outdrives?

verify the charger is actually off, if so then start checking the AC system wiring - start at the shore power connection to the panel and onward...

 

[Firemedic724]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

Checking it now. Will post with updates. Thank you for your advice...

 

[Firemedic724]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

Could a bad heating element in a hot water heater cause a grounding problem? I just installed a new water heater yesterday and this is when it started happening. There are only three wires and they were matched up correctly.

 

[Firemedic724]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question

Could a bad heating element in a hot water heater cause a grounding problem? I just installed a new water heater yesterday and this is when it started happening. There are only three wires and they were matched up correctly.

Ok this is what I came up with. The new water heater was installed yesterday, before that no problems at all. I worked on the outdrives last week replacing the impellers and did not have any zaps. Installed this brand new seaward water heater yesterday and this morning got shocked from touching the outdrives. Here is a question I can't figure out. The main power to the water heater was switched off but I am still getting 65.8 volts at the connector. I turn the breaker on and I get 120 volts. I disconnect the water heater and I don't get zapped. I reconnect it and I get zapped. Should there be some voltage at that plug with the breaker to it turned off or is this a problem? Or did I get a bad water heater that has a grounding problem?
HELP!!!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question---- Electrical problem

You should NOT have power to a device that is protected by a breaker or fuse and the breaker is turn off or the fuse removed. You have a panel issue.

 

[Firemedic724]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question---- Electrical problem

That's what I am thinking. The breaker is completely off and the voltage at the wire is 65 volts. Could it be a breaker?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question---- Electrical problem

There is a bigger issue than just the water heater.

When attached to shore power the drives should be Grounded/Bonded to the AC Mains Ground.
The water heater should also be Grounded/Bonded to the Mains.
The HW element can leak current all day. None of it should ever energize the hull/ground of the boat.
Is should be tripping ground fault breakers!

Problems like this are what will destroy your zincs, outdrives, and your marina neighbors outdrives.
This can also electrocute anyone in the water near your boat.
This is not just a nuisance problem, it is deadly serious!
Find it, Fix it, and don't electrocute yourself in the process.

 

[Firemedic724]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question---- Electrical problem

Do u think it is a grounding problem or panel problem?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question---- Electrical problem

Do u think it is a grounding problem or panel problem?

Make no assumptions!
Everything is to be considered suspect until proven otherwise!

Start at the shore power AC connector.
Assuming you are at your house, does the outlet on the house have a proper ground?
Are you Sure, you're Sure? Prove it!

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question---- Electrical problem

Could be either. Could be nothing more than wires on the shore power adapter or plug crossed where the Neutral/Hot/Ground are in the wrong places.

 

[Firemedic724]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question---- Electrical problem

The panel is out and I am checking all wiring inside and out. A mercathode system should not send any voltage to the outdrive strong enough to feel it right?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question---- Electrical problem

The panel is out and I am checking all wiring inside and out. A mercathode system should not send any voltage to the outdrive strong enough to feel it right?

Typically less than 1 volt.

 

[Firemedic724]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question---- Electrical problem

Ok I'm rattled. I took the whole panel out and inspected all terminals and they were tight. I then wanted to eliminate the problem by reconnecting shore power to the panel and reconnecting each circuit one by one. So I started with the water heater. I only have shore power connected to the panel and the hot water heater circuit. Nothing else is connected. I switch on main breaker and I have 120v at the panel. Next I switch on hot water heater circuit and I get 120 v at the water heater wiring. I switch off the circuit breaker to the hot water heater and the voltage drops to 23 volts. Why is there still power there. Shouldnt it be at zero. Pulling my friggin hair out.

 

[Splat]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question---- Electrical problem

Sounds like a open neutral in either the house plug, or in your panel in the house.

 

[Splat]

Re: Alpha One Gen II Question---- Electrical problem

You'll need a multi meter.

Test from hot to neutral, should be 110

Hot to ground, should be. 110

Neutral to ground,SHOULD be 0.

I would check in the panel in the boat, and if the problem is seen there, unplug boat and test the panel in the house. This may not be a boat issue.