Electrical Helm Panel Switch Mystery (To Me)

TonyG13TonyG13 Member Posts: 1,396 ✭✭✭✭
edited August 2018 in Electrical Discussions
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!


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Comments

  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There May be a switch by the battery switches that says Helm
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  • TonyG13TonyG13 Member Posts: 1,396 ✭✭✭✭
    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...




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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What does LA mean on the charger?
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,845 mod
    Handymans342 said:
    What does LA mean on the charger?

    Lead-Acid, for type of battery.

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,066 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • TonyG13TonyG13 Member Posts: 1,396 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2018
    House is on (just not when I took that particular photo).
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,066 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2018
    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.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • TonyG13TonyG13 Member Posts: 1,396 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2018
    House battery looks fine. Didn't have my voltmeter with me, but here's the panel...



    And TV, cabin lights, etc., all working fine.
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,066 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That narrows it down to the helm breaker. You are going to need to test the VDC on both sides of the helm breaker.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • TonyG13TonyG13 Member Posts: 1,396 ✭✭✭✭
    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! 
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,066 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The helm breaker is circled in yellow. It's the one labeled "Helm Power"

    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • IanIan Member Posts: 3,008 ✭✭✭✭
    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.

    Regards,

    Ian

    The Third “B”

    Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club

    https://www.rcyachtclub.com/

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  • TonyG13TonyG13 Member Posts: 1,396 ✭✭✭✭
    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!
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