Electrical Questions

[jrdtlm7579]

I am looking for some help when it comes to my '88 300 DA.


I am in the process of changing out some of my interior lights and ran upon this issue last night.


When I was removing the light in the galley, the one that is mounted to the wall against the head, I noticed the fixture was wired with a 110/12 volt sources. Does anyone know why 110 is needed there?


I plan on just using a 12v fixture there, but was wondering where does the 110v wires run from? I can simply cap them off and push them back into the wall but I would rather remove it from the source.


Problem #2 - When using my voltmeter, I tested several other outlets and noticed I only had 89 volts. Is this an issue? Do I have a shore power cord issue?


Problem #3 - My GFI outlet under the bench was not working. I replaced the receptacle and noticed it did not work either. Using my meter, there was no power coming to the outlet. Does anyone know where this source is fed from as well?


Thanks for your help.

 

[HUMPH]

I am looking for some help when it comes to my '88 300 DA.


I am in the process of changing out some of my interior lights and ran upon this issue last night.


When I was removing the light in the galley, the one that is mounted to the wall against the head, I noticed the fixture was wired with a 110/12 volt sources. Does anyone know why 110 is needed there?


I plan on just using a 12v fixture there, but was wondering where does the 110v wires run from? I can simply cap them off and push them back into the wall but I would rather remove it from the source.


Problem #2 - When using my voltmeter, I tested several other outlets and noticed I only had 89 volts. Is this an issue? Do I have a shore power cord issue?


Problem #3 - My GFI outlet under the bench was not working. I replaced the receptacle and noticed it did not work either. Using my meter, there was no power coming to the outlet. Does anyone know where this source is fed from as well?


Thanks for your help.

#1 Some of the fixtures come in dual voltage (like your fridge) so you can use either source. If you want to remove the wiring for the 110V side, remove it at the switch. #2 If your voltage is that low, check it at the source which should be your pedestal on the dock. If it is less that about 115 volts I would tell the harbormaster to have it checked and repaired. If the voltage at the pedestal is within tolerance, plug in your cord and check it at the female end. #3 Was this outlet an actual GFI or a downstream GFI protected outlet? If it was the actual GFI outlet and there is no power to it, the problem must be from the breaker panel. If it is a downstream GFI, find the upstream GFI and reset it. Feel free to PM me with any questions as you are troubleshooting these issues.

 

[jrdtlm7579]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll check those things out once I get back to the boat, which may be a day or two.

#1 Some of the fixtures come in dual voltage (like your fridge) so you can use either source. If you want to remove the wiring for the 110V side, remove it at the switch. #2 If your voltage is that low, check it at the source which should be your pedestal on the dock. If it is less that about 115 volts I would tell the harbormaster to have it checked and repaired. If the voltage at the pedestal is within tolerance, plug in your cord and check it at the female end. #3 Was this outlet an actual GFI or a downstream GFI protected outlet? If it was the actual GFI outlet and there is no power to it, the problem must be from the breaker panel. If it is a downstream GFI, find the upstream GFI and reset it. Feel free to PM me with any questions as you are troubleshooting these issues.

 

[SCORPIO]

On my 89 300DA the cabin lights work off only 12V, I don't know if there is wiring there for 110AC but I do know that you have to have the bats on to have cabin lights. The GFI under the bench is fed directly from the breaker panel, so its a short lenght of wire from the panel to the GFI. I would do as HUMPH suggested and start at the source (power pedestal etc) and check for voltage and work to the boat. You could have a bad cord/socket, or a problem in the breaker panel but you won't know until you check that source voltage.