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Author Topic: Boating electrical, lessons learned and help needed  (Read 1890 times)

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Offline EL TATE

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Boating electrical, lessons learned and help needed
« on: August 31, 2017, 10:25:17 AM »
So I swamped the bilge a couple weeks ago running in heavy chop, jumping 5 ft rollers and having a good ol time, just forgot to run the bilge and wound up getting a little water in the carb. overall things were fine when I cleaned it out, but a couple weeks later the starter took a dump. flash forward to last night, I'm installing the new starter and hook everything back up and now I have no power to the dash. from the dual battery switch I have power coming off all the lines leaving, but nothing at the starter or leaving the harness on the motor to the front. the switch feels heavily corroded, very hard to turn and I assume the internal ground is bad because even when it's turned to the off position I still have hot lines leaving on all fronts. I've got a new switch coming today, but has anyone run into anything like this? the 50 amp main breaker doesn't appear tripped. Struggling to get it back up and running for this Saturday. Power for the ignition and basically everything at the dash is linked to the starter, so obviously with no power to the starter no power further up. I have power reaching the throttle remote as I can raise and lower the outdrive... frustrating.
Husband, Father, Gear guy, Patriot.

Offline EL TATE

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Re: Boating electrical, lessons learned and help needed
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2017, 12:38:11 PM »
After typing this all out I just realized my error; I didn't connect the starter to the Perko common line, I routed it back to the 2nd battery creating the loop that left all lines hot when the perko was switched off. will remedy tonight, but I'm still replacing that switch. copper green dust came out of it like a salt shaker last night.
Husband, Father, Gear guy, Patriot.

Offline Dawg25385

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Re: Boating electrical, lessons learned and help needed
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2017, 12:50:31 PM »
Salt and electrical.... gives me the heebie jeebies just thinking about it.

Glad you figured it out


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Offline cudakidd53

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Re: Boating electrical, lessons learned and help needed
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2017, 03:02:06 PM »
Electric stuff is voodoo I say!
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"When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. Hence, dealing with this fact is not difficult. It is only hard for those still living around you.....It's the same when you're stupid."

Offline Nate

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Re: Boating electrical, lessons learned and help needed
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2017, 06:14:31 PM »
B.rake O.ut A.nother T.housand
If you need the promise of eternity in the kingdom of heaven to be a good person … You were never a good person in the first place!

Offline EL TATE

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Re: Boating electrical, lessons learned and help needed
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2017, 06:15:23 PM »
$50 on the new selector switch, untold humiliation for not connecting power to the starter, priceless.
Husband, Father, Gear guy, Patriot.

Offline Wilbur

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Re: Boating electrical, lessons learned and help needed
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2017, 07:50:16 PM »
That's not bad all in all. Glad you figured it out! If course I've never ever made a mistake like that! Nope....never....and that's my story and I'm sticking to it!  :rolleyes:    :cheesy:

Offline TexasRedNeck

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Re: Boating electrical, lessons learned and help needed
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2017, 08:59:40 PM »
CorrosionX. Priceless when you own a boat. Get a big can. Spray all the connections and switches


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Offline JR

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Re: Boating electrical, lessons learned and help needed
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2017, 09:50:13 PM »
B.rake O.ut A.nother T.housand

Heard that a few times,,,,,,,,,,
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Offline EL TATE

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Re: Boating electrical, lessons learned and help needed
« Reply #9 on: September 01, 2017, 08:53:25 AM »
CorrosionX. Priceless when you own a boat. Get a big can. Spray all the connections and switches


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Thank you! I was just going take home a can of cosmoline but I needed to know where to find it other than industrial supply in cases.
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Offline Sammconn

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Re: Boating electrical, lessons learned and help needed
« Reply #10 on: September 01, 2017, 09:24:11 AM »
Haven't heard of corrosionx, but fluid film will work as well if you can't find it.
I just don't want to wind up missing a digit or limb.  I can sometimes get in a hurry to get results.
Sam

 

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