GL: Electrical problems

[lrzeitlin at aol.com]

Mike and Tammy write:


1) Depth sounder reading don't appear to be correct (based on comparison to
charts) and it will sit on the same reading for a long time (sometimes for
several minutes). All the connections appear to be good and the system powers
up as normal. The wind and autopilot appear to be fine.
 
2) The solar panels do not appear to be charging (the amp meter reads zero. I
tested it and the meter appears to work fine). I think it may be the charge
controller, but I hate to spend a few hundred on a new one to find out it is
something else. It has been about 3 weeks and a couple times they have started
charging after messing with the wring only to not charge the next day.




The depth readings near the shore in the Peekskill area stay remarkably constant at about 8 to 15 feet for long stretches. Try crossing the river to Haverstraw or heading north to Bear Mountain. You will pass over the big ship channel and the depth reading should change abruptly to between 30 and 200 feet. If it does not, than you really have depth finder trouble. Don't rely on the charts to give you an accurate depth indication. They have not been updated for 20 years or more. If nothing works and you are sure that the connections are sound, try cleaning the surface of the transducer.

If you do not get any charge indication from the solar panel, try temporarily bypassing the charge controller. If it is bad, you should get an immediate indication of charging on the ammeter. A few minutes of uncontrolled charging will not hurt the battery. If the batteries are fully charged to begin with the charge controller will cut off the current flow and you will not get a charging indication.

Finally, to find a good marine electrician, pick up a copy of the current issue of "Boating on the Hudson", a free magazine available in all marinas along the river. It contains dozens of advertizements for marine services in the Peekskill area.




Larry Z