Official 280 Sundancer Thread

Fishhoook said:
I'll get a volt meter. Just bought the boat this summer and put new batteries on. Now I realize with the new batteries the charger isn't keeping them charged. Need to find out where the wires from the charger are going because they are not connected to the battery.
Click to expand...
Well that should be easy to locate. However, I'd start by testing the voltage coming out of the charger - that way you know if the charger is toast. Then test the voltage coming into the battery if there is none at the battery then you're going to have to check and see ihow the PO wired the charger. I have a different charger on my 2005 280 so I'm wondering if the charger was done after. Also while I'm not an expert on chargers the 20 amp charger seems light for three #27's.
 
Thinking of removing the pullout tv and installing a flat screen over the mirror at the tip of the v-berth. Thought to install a coffee maker in its place but i think an ice maker would be used more. Anyone ever install an ice maker where the tv was originally installed on that pullout?
 
It's a creative idea, and I like the idea of an ice maker near the galley, but I'd be worried that it would be a rough viewing angle for any seat but the forward facing dinette. Even then, it may only be the seat closest the galley that has a view of the TV due to the hanging locker that sticks our a bit from the port side.
 
Chrisvr6 said:
Thinking of removing the pullout tv and installing a flat screen over the mirror at the tip of the v-berth. Thought to install a coffee maker in its place but i think an ice maker would be used more. Anyone ever install an ice maker where the tv was originally installed on that pullout?
Click to expand...
I like the idea of putting the tv where the mirror is. No reason for the mirror other than making the boat look bigger. You can also put a larger tv there. As for the ice maker - that would be a bit awkward up there. If you do let us know how it works out.
 
Smartcraft gauges: As background we just purchased in November a 2005 280 with twin 5.0. We have only had the boat out once (surveyor doing sea trial) and then it went into winter storage, This is my first time with inboards and stern drives so I've got some questions on the smartcraft tach and speedo gauges. Thanks in advance for your input.

Does anyone know how accurate the fuel usage is?

I assume that the fuel usage on each tach is for that engine only? And on the speedo gauge it's combined? When you fuel up do you have to reset since it calculates fuel remaining?

I read in earlier posts that the 'ideal' trim angle is 1 with this engine combination? Note only 2 persons on board, full fuel and no generator

Normal temp for these engines?

Water pressure?

Oil pressure?
 
Same boat - different topic:

I'm going to replace the raymarine 215 radio. Has anyone created a mounting plate for their new radio? I'm replacing it with a SH Matrix GX2200 in black
 
Last edited:
Captn TJ said:
Same boat - different topic:

I'm going to replace the raymarine 215 radio. Has anyone created a mounting plate for their new radio? I'm replacing it with a SH Matrix GX2200 in black
Click to expand...
I better follow this one...was planning on buying the same radio this winter. Not having looked at the actual size-is there no chance of using the same one?
 
Fat Tony said:
I better follow this one...was planning on buying the same radio this winter. Not having looked at the actual size-is there no chance of using the same one?
Click to expand...
Bad news, I measured the current radio (raymarine 215) and the cutout. All of the new radios will be larger in height but shorter in width. Im still going with the GX2200 but will make up a starboard plate to cover up the hole (fashioned like the gray one) .
 
stg099 said:
Question for those with the 4.3 alpha set up. When reversing in my "new to me" 2004 280, the port drive takes more shifter travel to engage reverse. When I move both shifters together, the starboard will engage reverse first while the port will "skip" until given a touch more movement on the shifter (maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch). Based on what I've read, the symptoms seem to indicate that I need to adjust the shift cable on the port side to better match the starboard side. I'm curious if this is "normal behavior" or whether others are perfectly in-line between port and starboard shifters.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have had the same issue and have fixed it. It's a pretty easy fix, just a bit tedious, especially if you are by yourself. I forget the details, but basically you simply have to spin an adjustment nut a revolution, either one way or the other and re-test. If it's worse, go the other way. If it's better, keep going until it's fixed. The nut is on top of the engine, on a cable and cable shaft connected to the throttle body.

You can follow the adjustment guide in the Mercruiser Service Manual, or use it as a reference. But even after following the directions to a 'T', I've found I still need to make a turn or two of the nut on the cable shaft to get it just right.

And then eventually it will start to happen again.... :)
 
Gunn said:
Yes, I have had the same issue and have fixed it. It's a pretty easy fix, just a bit tedious, especially if you are by yourself. I forget the details, but basically you simply have to spin an adjustment nut a revolution, either one way or the other and re-test. If it's worse, go the other way. If it's better, keep going until it's fixed. The nut is on top of the engine, on a cable and cable shaft connected to the throttle body.

You can follow the adjustment guide in the Mercruiser Service Manual, or use it as a reference. But even after following the directions to a 'T', I've found I still need to make a turn or two of the nut on the cable shaft to get it just right.

And then eventually it will start to happen again.... :)
Click to expand...


Thanks so much for the explanation, at the very least it's good to know that it's not a serious issue, but rather one of adjustment. I had read that the reverse portion of the cable is "offset" to allow a bit of independent adjustment for the shifter, but glad to hear it's do-able. Now to be patient for a few more months until the damn lake thaws!
 
Help!!! I have a beautiful 2001 280 Sundancer for sale that looks and runs great but I have two minor issues. I really would like to properly address these issues before she sells. Any guidance would be appreciated.
The starboard side trim/tilt works intermittently. While depressing the thumb switch with the engine hatch open, I can hear a clicking noise but the lower unit does not always raise. (It seems to always lower) I depressed the thumb switch multiple times in rapid succession and the lower unit ultimately came up. Any guidance on how to trouble shoot this would be appreciated. I initially believed the problem to be the switch but with the engine hatch open, I believe I heard a clicking sound every time I depressed the thumb switch.
The other issue is that my trim tabs don't work. I found the reservoir completely dry when I bought it and filled it. The motor assembly (part of the unit containing the reservoir) sounds like it is activating. Any thoughts... Thanks...
 
Curtis,

Stbd trim... the most common culprit... the solenoid can "click", even though it doesn't make a solid enough connection to pass the required amps (it's not so much about volts) through the connection. The way to tell for sure is to jumper around the solenoid with an appropriate sized wire.

Trim tabs... It takes several up/down cycles for it to purge itself of air. However, the fact that it was empty likely means there was (is?) a leak. While someone presses the button, look for leaks at the pump connection, along the tubing to the transom, the inside transom connection nipple and the ram on the outside. It's dirt simple, so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out.
 
Seems like a number of you guys have updated the cupholder in front of the port side lounger to the more modern stainless 3-ring type that is on the cockpit sink. I would like to do the same as the plastic one is useless, is this a big job? I would assume that you'd need access to below to tighten the nuts on the base, is removing that ceiling panel a simple job or more involved than it's worth?
 
stg099 said:
Looking at the listing I couldn't find anywhere that it stated if it was self adhesive or not. If it's not I'd be concerned that if you have to put down adhesive from a caulk gun or trowel it down from a tube that it'd be next to impossible to ever revert back to Non-skid or snap in carpet if the EVA failed.
Click to expand...
In talking to a couple of vendors including Seadeck, they said you need to sand down the anti skid surface application of the product. As a result I'm going with Infinity vinyl to replace the original carpeting. I've seen it on a couple of boats in our harbor and it looks great.
 
stg099 said:
Seems like a number of you guys have updated the cupholder in front of the port side lounger to the more modern stainless 3-ring type that is on the cockpit sink. I would like to do the same as the plastic one is useless, is this a big job? I would assume that you'd need access to below to tighten the nuts on the base, is removing that ceiling panel a simple job or more involved than it's worth?
Click to expand...
Interesting - my 05 which we just bought has the SS one. That must have been the changeover year. I'm heading over to the boat tomorrow and with take a look for you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,095
Messages
1,425,832
Members
61,017
Latest member
IslandGirls1020
Back
Top