01 340 Sundancer -Everything checks out but no Port DC Power?

T

thenaz007

New Member
Jun 2, 2011
16
Ohio River - Louisville, KY
Boat Info
2001 340 Dancer
Engines
454 Mercruisers
Absolutely zero port DC power in cabin. Breakers in panel are on, chargers on, shore powers on. Two 2017 batteries on port side measure 12.7V, 2018 Starboard reads 12.8. Read 13.7 V with charger and 13.8 volts idling off alternators- only. Pulled one port battery and load tested fine. Checked battery breakers under engine hatch - seemed to be set and reset them. Shower drain breaker was tripped, but could have been for months. Reset it. I can start and run port engine off starboard battery, hatch and windlass work. Voltage gage on panel in cabin reads zero DC. Light on charger is on, and Voltage increased on port and starboard batteries when charger on with shore power. Not running much, but batteries are full. Bus bar looks a little grimy, but always a freshwater boat, only 250 hours. Lots of wires at the bus bar and a long reach to start messing with... Maybe spray repeatedly with rust remover? Battery wires disappear into fuse box under hatch, also not an easy reach. Read somewhere there may be a fuse near the starter on the port engine that would kill all downstream? Also read there is a fuse near my shore power hookup in my transom, but unsure how hat could affect port only.

Really Appreciate Any Help!!

The Naz
 
Sounds almost like the port battery switch may not be activating the solenoid.

-Kevin
 
I agree. It seems to either be the port battery disconnect under the hatch (or associated connections in that fuse panel) or the one in the panel in the cabin. The port engine will run jumped off the starboard side, but I still didnt have any port DC power at the cabin panel. I did have an arch light which may be on the starboard DC. What I didnt do is swap the battery cables (too consumed with meter readings....). My port DC power switch in the cabin has not illuminated for years, so I need to swap that out regardless... I know the port engine will turn over but not start when jumped from the starboard battery with the port ignition key accidentally off. The fact that it will start and run says the port ignition key is working in the cabin panel even when nothing else is off the port DC. I read elsewhere that a 2nd fused wire off your starter could shut down DC on that side, but is that consistent with starting off starboard battery and not off Port?
 
OK I DO get port DC in my cabin panel when I jump the port engine with the parallel switch and it is running. I switched the port and starboard batteries - made no difference. I also swapped out the cabin port DC switch and made no difference. So the port battery isnt getting to the starter or cabin panel, even though it is good. I am wondering if this is a port engine ground or ground between the engines...
 
It sounds like the emergency crossover switch when activated is delivering power to your cabin on the port side from your starboard batteries. This makes me more inclined to believe that it might be the port solenoid. Possible try swapping the port and starboard solenoids to see if the issue follows.

-Kevin
 
I replaced the port solenoid today with no change. I am starting to think there is a path from the port starter or alternator that is suspect - engine ground, 50 and 90 amp fuses, etc. that defeats the port DC when compromised...
Just the connections between the fuses, starter relay, and starter could probably use a good cleaning - crippled my sons 99 Indmar this year with similar water and duty cycle. A lot easier to get down around that inboard ski motor...
 
I can't seem to find the owners manual for you model right now but the wiring diagrams will show you what's in line.

-Kevin
 
Have you checked if the port battery switch is working properly? You can unscrew it and test for power at the back of the switch on the inbound and outbound sides.
 
Hello all! I'm having this exact issue on the same boat. We came down to the boat last night and I have AC power with no issues, however only stb DC power. No DC house power at all. Does anyone know if he ever resolved this and how?
 
Jeff42899 said:
Hello all! I'm having this exact issue on the same boat. We came down to the boat last night and I have AC power with no issues, however only stb DC power. No DC house power at all. Does anyone know if he ever resolved this and how?
Click to expand...

Does your voltmeter show low voltage or no voltage. If low then possible your batteries are due to be replaced but if no voltage at all then possibly your switch at the panel or solenoids are bad. You can try to activate your port DC by moving the leads from the STB switch over. If that works then it's just the switch. If not I would look at the solenoid.

-Kevin
 
Thanks. No voltage at the panel for port side, stb is normal. I just started the motors (had to use the emergency start switch for port) and had 12v power to house systems. All batteries are new this year and test correctly. I'm thinking solenoid switch, however the OP thought the same and it didn't help. Have to start somewhere I guess.
 
Well, I used my massive deductive reasoning skills and mechanical ability and got this one solved by noon. The admiral started cooking brunch so I went to turn on the hot water heater..... And the AC converter. Face palm! Battery charger was off.... Live and learn. Always start at the easy stuff!
 
Hello, I'm having the identical problem that thenaz007 and others above have had. I don't really understand the previous post by Jeff42899, as far as a resolution. If anyone can help identify a definitive solution, it would be much appreciated.

I experienced the Port Battery Switch at the cabin DC distribution panel not having any ability to turn on Port battery power. No clicking heard at the solenoid when pressing the switch, like what was heard when successfully turning on Starboard battery power. At the time, the Port Battery Switch at the Main DC Distribution panel in the engine compartment was not working either. Later that day, and after repetitive tries, the Port Battery switch finally worked, turning on the port battery power. But, afterwards, the Port Battery Switch at the cabin DC distribution panel was unable to turn off the power. Again, after multiple tries, it worked.

Since the problem seems to be intermittent, I think I can rule out a problem with the fuses/breakers (?)

If anyone can help with debugging this problem, it would be much appreciated.
 
The solenoids inside the panel under the hatch get sticky. I got another year out of one by actuating the solenoid switch on the outside of the panel like 50 times. Then I actuated the Starboard DC panel switch (actually the same switch but in the galley panel) like 50 times. You can tell when it actuates. The more you use them the better they get. Eventually I replaced the Solenoid - access and connections are a bear.
 
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