Electrical Helm Panel Switch Mystery (To Me)

TonyG13

Having only had our boat (2014 310 EC) for about six weeks, still figuring things out - especially electrically.

This issue only occurred once before - when we picked up the boat the blower and horn, etc., did not work - and the salesman said a battery switch was off, and he did something in the engine compartment - and all was good since then.

Here's what happened this morning when I went to the boat:

Boarded the boat and turned on the Port, Starboard, and House battery switches from the aft deck panel.

Pushed "Blower" switch on helm. Nothing. Did quick check to make sure batteries were on and had voltage on the main cabin panel. All looked good. Tried turning Blower on from cabin panel and it went on. Turned it off and tried helm switch - and again nothing.

Then tried other helm switches: "Engine Hatch", "Horn", "Wiper", and all of the light switches (Spreader, Cockpit, etc.) and nothing. Nada.

The only helm switches that appear to work are the Electronics and Bilge switches.

Looked at every possible breaker I could find on dash, in cabin panel, and in engine compartment, and none where thrown.

Stared at everything for over an hour and can't find anything out of place - but since it's all knew to me, not sure if I'm looking at all the possible causes.

Any help with this mystery is appreciated!

Handymans342

There May be a switch by the battery switches that says Helm

TonyG13

If any of this helps --> Here is my battery switch panel (the pic shows 'emerg parallel' on, but it is now "off" - was just switching stuff around trying different things)...




None of the breakers were thrown/popped.

And here's my Charging station...

Handymans342

What does LA mean on the charger?

Dream_Inn

Handymans342 said:

What does LA mean on the charger?

Lead-Acid, for type of battery.

Cableguy Greg

It looks like your house switch is off. The House batteries control most of the helm. The bilge pump is on one of the starting batteries.

TonyG13

House is on (just not when I took that particular photo).

Cableguy Greg

What is the voltage on the house batteries? Since you don't have anything at the helm, you probably don't have anything in the cabin either.

I don't know about anyone else, but I leave my batteries on all the time. The only time my battery switch gets shut off is when I am on the hard for the winter.

TonyG13

House battery looks fine. Didn't have my voltmeter with me, but here's the panel...



And TV, cabin lights, etc., all working fine.

Cableguy Greg

That narrows it down to the helm breaker. You are going to need to test the VDC on both sides of the helm breaker.

TonyG13

Greg - Since I'm a neophyte with this elaborate of a system can you give a bit more detail? Such as where I might find the helm breaker, etc.  Thanks! 

Cableguy Greg

The helm breaker is circled in yellow. It's the one labeled "Helm Power"

Ian

FYI the blower coming on from below is also likely a second blower to the one from the helm, at least in my 2003 310. There are 2 blowers.

TonyG13

Greg - Please tell me there's an easy way to test it other than taking off that entire cover plate and opening a figurative can of worms?! :-}

I could barely get my arm down and around in there to take a picture!