40 sedan bridge forum

I have nothing near as nice as the ProNautic 1240P. I’m looking for details on the below picture which is what appears to me to be the “original” charger.

Sorry. My bad. The ProNautic is the one I just put IN. I mixed up the manuals as I looked at them. What I took OUT of my boat was the ProTech 1240i. The ProTech 1240i unit did have the various charging modes, including float. I thought the ProTech was the original one - and maybe it was for my boat (2003)? I don't know what original charger was on 1998 models. But someone on here will know. And they will likely recommend you rip it out and replace it. After 20+ years, it owes you nothing. FWIW, it's a relatively easy replacement as far as boat projects go...

Can you take off that front panel (see the Phillips head screw)? If so, see if there are DIP switches behind it. They may not be labeled with anything the helps answer your question, but if there are DIP switches, it's safe to assume they configure the unit's operation. The fact that they are near the DC outputs implies that they configure the output voltages. So there appears to be SOME capability in that unit. But what I'm saying here is all conjecture. You need a manual to answer your question for certain (and to know how to check that the unit is configured properly). Have you called the number on the label and spoken with them? When I was replacing my charger, I called Pro Mariner and asked some questions and their customer service/tech support was quite helpful. They could answer your question quickly.
 
I wanted to share with the group two modifications that I made to my boat recently. I changed out the door panel to see everything all the time and put a nice finish around the Fusion stereo. I used a local place here in Chicago to get both jobs done.

For those with the Cat 3126’s - What speed & RPM’s do you cruise at? I think I have algae in my tank and I don’t know if that’s slowing me down on the water.
 

Attachments

  • F00A3278-FC52-4DEA-A1F6-BBE398ED48A1.jpeg
    F00A3278-FC52-4DEA-A1F6-BBE398ED48A1.jpeg
    53.9 KB · Views: 114
  • 1F0CFA3D-0021-472B-82BD-C81BA057CF91.jpeg
    1F0CFA3D-0021-472B-82BD-C81BA057CF91.jpeg
    152.3 KB · Views: 120
Great idea! I like it. I'm going to show this to the admiral and see what she thinks... I may just steal your idea.
 
I wanted to share with the group two modifications that I made to my boat recently. I changed out the door panel to see everything all the time and put a nice finish around the Fusion stereo. I used a local place here in Chicago to get both jobs done.

For those with the Cat 3126’s - What speed & RPM’s do you cruise at? I think I have algae in my tank and I don’t know if that’s slowing me down on the water.
If you had algae I believe you’d see it heavily in your racors. Check them and see if they have “stuff”. It’ll clog them before it’ll slow your cruise speed down. Mine got filthy one time and it affected me some.
 
Last edited:
I cruise 2100 to 2400. Cat recomends 2400. Wot should be 2800 which I cannot get, likely dirty bottom and props. I changed my primary filters with no difference in wot. Planning to cut open the secondaries when I change them to see how bad the po let them get.
 
I cruise 2100 to 2400. Cat recomends 2400. Wot should be 2800 which I cannot get, likely dirty bottom and props. I changed my primary filters with no difference in wot. Planning to cut open the secondaries when I change them to see how bad the po let them get.
Actually I believe Cat recommends 2200 to 2400 RPM.
 
I wanted to share with the group two modifications that I made to my boat recently. I changed out the door panel to see everything all the time and put a nice finish around the Fusion stereo. I used a local place here in Chicago to get both jobs done.

For those with the Cat 3126’s - What speed & RPM’s do you cruise at? I think I have algae in my tank and I don’t know if that’s slowing me down on the water.
Johnny, I cruise at 1400 rpm, travelling at about 16km/hr (9mph). This gives me good range and fuel economy with the 3126s, (so ya, I drive my boat like a trawler....)

Dave
 
How big of a house battery bank do you all have?

What type of batteries (wet lead acid, agm, lithium), size, and how many?

I’m just starting to think through a battery refit / upgrade.

1998 400DB
BrianW, I had a marine electrician do a battery refit about 4 yrs ago. Here is a summary:
- House, now separate bank of 4x 6v lead acid golf cart batteries.
- STBD, 2x group 31 lead acid, in parallel. For STBD start, generator start, and bow thruster
- PORT, 2x group 31 lead acid, in parallel. For PORT start, and stern thruster
- New 50A 3 bank charger and battery combiner/isolator.

This works very well, and I run the generator really only for hot water as we are relatively light power users when anchored out. I plan on supplementing the house bank next spring with a 330w solar array mounted on the canvas, (semi-flex panels), so the house bank should almost always be topped up, and I can run the stereo more often.

The house batteries are 4 yrs old now, and I envision at least another year out of them.

Hope this helps.

Dave
 
Anyone know how to access the salon ac unit. Seems like there should be a way to remove the steps without breaking something.
You need to find the screws. There are 4 or so screws holding the steps in place. Feel with your fingers in the carpet. After removing the salon carpet snaps from the step, it comes out pretty easy when you have the screws out.
 
You need to find the screws. There are 4 or so screws holding the steps in place. Feel with your fingers in the carpet. After removing the salon carpet snaps from the step, it comes out pretty easy when you have the screws out.
Mine has two screws on the top edges close to the seam and one in the center bottom by the galley floor.
 
Back to the battery question. I run BJ's group 31's for battery bank. (8 months so far) Optima blue 31 for the Gen. (year 6 on that one) 2 34's duralast platinum (8 month after blue tops failed on year 2) for a custom inverter for an outlet and TV. That said, I added two things to the arsenal this year. A Norco GB150 3000 amp jumper, and put a battery switch on the bank so I can run the fridge and stuff longer without having to fire up the gen while on the hook. that said, left the bat switches on and some lights accidentally over a 5 day period, dropping the batteries to about 7 volts. Today went out there and hooked up the GB150 for the first time and both cranked right up VS waiting hours for the Gen to bring the voltage up (40A charger)its great for when you are in a pickel and both banks are dead!!!
 
Looks Like CAT is discontinuing their SAEO oil and has updated their recommendations for the Engine Oils to use in the 3116 and 3126. This is a copy of a post on anther SeaRay forum (not sure if its this one) that was forwarded on to me so thought I would share, apologies if its old news.

CAT has discontinued their SAEO and has changed their recommendation to DEO 10/30 or DEO 15/40. Apparently the chemical makeup of multi-viscosity oils has improved to the point that it is ok to use. Saw this email on the SeaRay forum. I have attached the pdf as well.


Description: Hello DSN,
Attached document show that up until recently, SAEO 30 or 40 was the only oil to be used in 3116 & 3126 marine engines. It is also stated in SEBU6164, O&M, fluid recommendations for this engine. It is also well known by customers who own these. Now those oils are being discontinued and the attached IRM states to use multi-grade oil instead. Something that the other documents state will be harmful to these engines. Can the product group explain what oil can be used in these engines now and is there supporting documentation that states it will not cause issues? 

What is your Question:  

Resolution: The history here is important to understand when expressing risk. The 3126 and 3116 marine engines were the first CAT engines to use sea water after coolers. The initial cooler designs were prone to fouling due the viscosity improvers in the multi-grade oils at that time (API rated CF engine oils). CF Multi grade Diesel Engine oils were introduced in 1994 and the API (American Petroleum Institute) has stated they will no longer certify CF rated oils and the rating is considered obsolete. API rated engine oils with the CF rating were replaced by API CH rated engine oils in 1998 for example. Currently the API rating for Multi grade Diesel Engine oils is at the CK rating. The 3126 commercial production engine has long been retired and after cooler designs have evolved significantly in subsequent years. Sea water after coolers are on most of our diesel marine engines running multi-grade oils. The changes in additives (i.e. viscosity improvers) used in engine oils and the formulations have improved to the point that using the Multi grade oils recommended for the application in IRM PELJ2736 will not affect the engines.
SEBU 6251 takes time to update, and the fluids group here at CAT need to have substantial amount of changes to warrant the time it takes to do a rev change to the engine fluid manuals (SEBU6250, SEBU6251), that will lag any IRM on fluid changes but the manuals will be updated and that portion on SAEO removed.
I also attached the part numbers for their multi-viscosity oil replacement recommendation. The last 3 partnumbers are recommended for 10W30 applications.

Thanks for posting this. You received a better explanation than I did. I had a similar discussion with our local CAT dealer as I wanted to understand how an oil that was once bad for the engine is now fine. Noting that my local CAT dealer is focused on farm and construction equipment. I did get the attached memo from CAT as I requested something in writing. However, after some discussion with the service guy (who apparently went back and forth with CAT) we landed on a straight weight oil, SAE 40wt, CAT part number 8C3705. I ran the CAT DEO 15-40 for a while when I first got the boat and didn't register the SAEO requirement. I got a lot of soot on the transom after long cruises. When I switched to the SAEO it got way better. I haven't changed to the oil yet but have purchased it.
 

Attachments

  • PELJ2736 Cat Special Application Engine Oil Replacement IRM PELJ2736.pdf
    161.6 KB · Views: 211

Forum statistics

Threads
112,948
Messages
1,422,802
Members
60,930
Latest member
Ebrown69
Back
Top