Official 280 Sundancer Thread

I’ll try both batteries. I am not certain I tried that. Thank you! Can I ask about that second switch next to the battery switch? Is there any other time besides engine starting that it should it be turned on? (I know not to turn it off whilst the engine is on.) I’d love to know what it actually does too if you don’t mind.
So let's try this again: there are two battery switches adjacent to the ignition switches in the small compartment on the aft Portside.

The battery switch on the left has four positions #1 which is for the port engine, #2 is the house battery, Both and Off. The 12v electrical system in the boat is controlled by this switch either by #2 or Both.

The battery switch on the right controls the starboard engine. Hope this clarifies and doesn't make it more confusing .
 
I’ll try both batteries. I am not certain I tried that. Thank you! Can I ask about that second switch next to the battery switch? Is there any other time besides engine starting that it should it be turned on? (I know not to turn it off whilst the engine is on.) I’d love to know what it actually does too if you don’t mind.
This may help.

batteries.jpg
 
Any thoughts as to why my bilge blower works just fine from the helm switch but I get no response from the blower switch at the electrical panel near the generator start/stop? It worked last season, and the generator started and ran fine using the start switch on the panel. Next step is to pull the panel and have a look, but if there is a breaker or something simple I’m missing, would rather know before I go searching for a solution.

Thanks for any ideas you may have!
John
 
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Any thoughts as to why my bilge blower works just fine from the helm switch but I get no response from the blower switch at the electrical panel near the generator start/stop? It worked last season, and the generator started and ran fine using the start switch on the panel. Next step is to pull the panel and have a look, but if there is a breaker or something simple I’m missing, would rather know before I go searching for a solution.

Thanks for any ideas you may have!
John
Is the key on the starboard side engine on the accessory position?
 
Is the key on the starboard side engine on the accessory position?

I had the keys turned on, but did not have the ignition switches at the helm turned to on. Could that be the cause? I would figure that if you were running the gen blower you’d typically have ingnitions off and be at anchor.
 
Has anyone adjusted the tension on the throttle/gearshift? I have twin 5.0 and there is nothing in the manual.

As I recall there are two screws on the inside of the throttle lever housing on the starboard side. One controls the indent and the other the tension. You will need a shorty screwdriver to adjust.
 
So let's try this again: there are two battery switches adjacent to the ignition switches in the small compartment on the aft Portside.

The battery switch on the left has four positions #1 which is for the port engine, #2 is the house battery, Both and Off. The 12v electrical system in the boat is controlled by this switch either by #2 or Both.

The battery switch on the right controls the starboard engine. Hope this clarifies and doesn't make it more confusing .
Hi, thank you, the instructions cleared it up. Unfortunately, I went to the boat this morning and turned it to the second battery and no cockpit lights etc. What else could be wrong? I checked fuses in the panel that is below the throttle. What is it suppose to look like if a fuse is tripped? Thanks again.
 
I assume you already checked the battery to make sure it wasn't dead?

Also do you have the 280 manual that shows the location of the EIM fuses?
 
I assume you already checked the battery to make sure it wasn't dead?

Also do you have the 280 manual that shows the location of the EIM fuses?
Unfortunately, I was in my work clothes and could not risk getting dirty lol. Assuming it’s not dead what would be the next logical step?
 
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I assume you already checked the battery to make sure it wasn't dead?

Also do you have the 280 manual that shows the location of the EIM fuses?
I have the manual. What does EIM stand for and located?
Back to the batteries, correct me if this is wrong, if I had a dead battery but put the switch to both batteries, and assuming one wasn’t dead, I would have power. I tried that and it didn’t work either. Does that likely omit the dead battery possibility?
 
I have the manual. What does EIM stand for and located?
Back to the batteries, correct me if this is wrong, if I had a dead battery but put the switch to both batteries, and assuming one wasn’t dead, I would have power. I tried that and it didn’t work either. Does that likely omit the dead battery possibility?
Unless both batteries were dead. Next check in the manual for the Electronic Interface or EIM that is what they call the switchpad. There are two locations one for each switchpad. I don't have my manual here (it's on the boat) but I believe there is one located adjacent to the helm seat (under the throttle/gearshift)

But just so we're clear - you do not have any 12v power to the both switch pads? So no nav lights, no blower, no horn, etc.
 
Unless both batteries were dead. Next check in the manual for the Electronic Interface or EIM that is what they call the switchpad. There are two locations one for each switchpad. I don't have my manual here (it's on the boat) but I believe there is one located adjacent to the helm seat (under the throttle/gearshift)

But just so we're clear - you do not have any 12v power to the both switch pads? So no nav lights, no blower, no horn, etc.
No nav light, arch lights etc. I have left side of console working (bilge pump, blower) Raymarine radio works too. On the right side only spot light and anchor work. I looked below the throttle at those fuses but don’t know what a tripped one is suppose to look like.
 
I'd look in the manual for the location of the specific fuse (stuff that's not working) and then pull that one out - if it's blown you should be able to see the break in the filament inside the fuse. Otherwise just put a new one into that location.
 
I returned to the boat and pressed the console buttons. To my surprise they worked. I checked the CCA of the House battery and it was around 500 CCA (1050 CCA rated battery). In fact all 3 batteries were close to 500 CCA. VOLTAGE on all 3 were close to 13.0 V. My boat is connected to shore power and I made sure the battery charger is working. I don’t leave anything on in 12V like lights or a radio. The stuff on automatic like the bilge pump and stereo clock I have no control over. Is it still possible that it’s worn out batteries? Could the bilge pump be working frequently and I actually have a decent leak?
 
I returned to the boat and pressed the console buttons. To my surprise they worked. I checked the CCA of the House battery and it was around 500 CCA (1050 CCA rated battery). In fact all 3 batteries were close to 500 CCA. VOLTAGE on all 3 were close to 13.0 V. My boat is connected to shore power and I made sure the battery charger is working. I don’t leave anything on in 12V like lights or a radio. The stuff on automatic like the bilge pump and stereo clock I have no control over. Is it still possible that it’s worn out batteries? Could the bilge pump be working frequently and I actually have a decent leak?
So the good news is that you don't need a new switch panel!

How did you measure the battery capacity? Did you measure it with the charger on or off? The best way to tell battery life is with a load tester. How old are the batteries and have they been maintained.

Btw if your bilge pump is cycling on and off and you don't have the charger on it will definitely run down the batteries.
 
Tested battery with voltmeter with charger off. I don’t have a load tester. Not sure how old batteries are. Not much info from previous owner. Charger was always on which puzzles me. Unless charger is bad? Love it how it’s endless! I do like troubleshooting though! Thanks for walking me through this Captn TJ!
 
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Newbie here and figuring out things. My swim platform is aweful low to the water in my opinion. It comes up from the water 4 inches or so without standing on the platform or people on the boat. How high is everyone elses? Just want to compare notes. Does it go below the surface when getting up to plane impacting performance? I took notice as I was looking at other boats on the dock. Had no idea when I bought the boat since it was on dry dock. My fuel is at 50%, empty water tanks and the boat is not laden with any equipment/ crap (yet). Thx!
 
Tested battery with voltmeter with charger off. I don’t have a load tester. Not sure how old batteries are. Not much info from previous owner. Charger was always on which puzzles me. Unless charger is bad? Love it how it’s endless! I do like troubleshooting though! Thanks for walking me through this Captn TJ!
Quick way to tell is to put the voltage meter on the batteries with the charger on and then off. Keep in mind that a charger will try and keep batteries up even if they're weak. Best advice is get new batteries - in the scheme of things its a small investment. Oh and the rule is replace all batteries at the same time as weak batteries will draw down a strong battery.
Newbie here and figuring out things. My swim platform is aweful low to the water in my opinion. It comes up from the water 4 inches or so without standing on the platform or people on the boat. How high is everyone elses? Just want to compare notes. Does it go below the surface when getting up to plane impacting performance? I took notice as I was looking at other boats on the dock. Had no idea when I bought the boat since it was on dry dock. My fuel is at 50%, empty water tanks and the boat is not laden with any equipment/ crap (yet). Thx!


A few on this site have complained about how close the platform is to the water. with 5.0's we are probably the same but you don't have to worry about the platform dragging in the water under power.
 
Newbie here and figuring out things. My swim platform is aweful low to the water in my opinion. It comes up from the water 4 inches or so without standing on the platform or people on the boat. How high is everyone elses? Just want to compare notes. Does it go below the surface when getting up to plane impacting performance? I took notice as I was looking at other boats on the dock. Had no idea when I bought the boat since it was on dry dock. My fuel is at 50%, empty water tanks and the boat is not laden with any equipment/ crap (yet). Thx!
The low platform isn't a problem. I actually like it....on my 420DA the platform is so high I can't even get a toe in the water without stretching.
 
I returned to the boat and pressed the console buttons. To my surprise they worked. I checked the CCA of the House battery and it was around 500 CCA (1050 CCA rated battery). In fact all 3 batteries were close to 500 CCA. VOLTAGE on all 3 were close to 13.0 V. My boat is connected to shore power and I made sure the battery charger is working. I don’t leave anything on in 12V like lights or a radio. The stuff on automatic like the bilge pump and stereo clock I have no control over. Is it still possible that it’s worn out batteries? Could the bilge pump be working frequently and I actually have a decent leak?

If the above is true your batteries are toast.

I'd pull them and take them in for testing.
 

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