Main battery switch

N

Nmor830

Member
Sep 12, 2016
90
Channel Islands
Boat Info
2008 340 Sundancer
Engines
8.1l Mercruisers
Hi all,
Has anyone ever had a main battery switch go bad? The LED on the starboard switch one longer lights up. The engine starts but the problem is the hatch lift is wired to this switch and now it won’t open unless shore power is plugged in. Wondering if it could be a faulty switch or something else going on. The hatch lift always worked before on batteries alone.
Thanks
 
Any switch can eventually go bad, manual battery switches or the solenoid switches.

NOTE: It seems that SeaRay changed wiring/parts in the 2007/2008 340 model 2008 HIN 1205 - 1208 seem to use the 2007 parts book and the manual listed shows the 2007 style individual switches (NOT and EIM)
So first what does your helm look like? Small switches in two panels one left and one right of the instruments?
Or a long row of switches across the helm under the instruments?

Unfortunately you may a more complex system, not just battery switch and on-off switches. All your helm switches control thru a CAN buss to a module known as an EIM (Electronic Interface Module). And these are problematic as the boats get older.
Now it may not be the modules, but you have to troubleshoot carefully using the wiring diagrams to try and figure out whats happening. You have two manuals the

https://owners-resources.searayweb.com/owners-manuals-files/2008_40 Sundancer_40 Sundancer.pdf
(This shows the old style switches)

https://s3.amazonaws.com/srweb-pvt-...0-Parts-Manual_Sundancer-340-Parts-Manual.pdf
(NOTE: this parts manual has the kidney shaped electronic switches and EIM, but for HIN 1205 thru 1208 they say use the 2007 parts book)
 
Patrick,
Thanks for for your response it is very helpful. The main battery/ solenoid switch’s on the 340’s are located in the gallery area in a seperate panel. (page 62 shows the configuration) There are 3, port, strb, and generator. These switches have 8 connectors each. Being inexpensive at $10-$15 for replacements I’m going to try and replacing this first. If that doesn’t do it will start trouble shooting from there. Also there is an additional set of switch’s in the engine bay. When the strb. switch is on in the main penal with no LED the LED on the switch in the engine bay lights up? Trouble shooting time.
Thank you again much appreciated. Nick
 
Thanks for the details, yes could be the solenoid in this case.

These solenoids toggle on or off and then require no power to remain in one state or the other. Just a pulse.
They are not just a constant duty solenoid, havent seen them that low in price ever.

https://www.amazon.com/INTELLITEC-0100055000-Battery-Disconnect-Relay/dp/B072N8NYN2
The LED (and the switch) gets power from two 5 amp fuses mounted in the solenoid check those first, good, clean and tight.
upload_2021-3-16_12-57-3.png


edited to clarify an issue with the schematic for this year.
the port solenoid correctly has "Line" on battery terminal for 24x7 loads
the starboard solenoid has "Line" on the controlled side of the solenoid (it should be 24x7)
the boats are likely wired correctly and the schematic has the two wires reversed.
 

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hold on ignore most everything I have said....
You say the engine starts? Then the solenoid is in the "on" position.
Does the engine start even if you press the "de-energize"?
The LED is "on" at the engine room switches? Always or will the LED turn off when you press "de-energize"?

check those fuses...
 
The schematics for this year/model have an error pertaining to the solenoids.
I would hope the boat is correct but not certain.
On the left the designer drew the emergency solenoid off the center and batteries off the outside terminals.
But these solenoids cant be wired that way there is a specific battery side and load sides.
When fuses are on top the left side must be battery, that fuse provides power to the selector switches
the right side is the controlled load, that fuse provides power to LEDs when the solenoid is in the "energized" position
upload_2021-3-16_13-59-47.png
 
Thanks for all the good info. The engine will not start if the battery switch is off. The LEDs. on the switch in the engine will go off when the battery switch de-energizes. I have not tried to start the engine with the battery switch de-energized but will try that. Excuse my ignorance but would you know where is the battery solenoid is located? I don’t recall seeing anything like that in the engine room although it has to be there somewhere?
Thank you again
 
See the parts book page 71 (page 72 in the pdf) item 12 - main breaker panel.
See the list of items that are inside, includes all the solenoids.
**** Please turn off the manual battery switches before opening the panel.****
If you are not familiar with electrical work 12 volts will not hurt you, but batteries can generate huge currents and are an arc and fire hazard if main bus is accidentally shorted.
 
Thanks for you time and info. Found that the main battery switch was bad. Swapped the generator switch to test and everything worked including the hatch lift off the batteries. This looks to be a complicated switch having 8 poles. Got the part # now looking for a replacement. Any suggestions where one can be found? Tried a few after market but they don’t recognize the part #.
Thanks again.
 
Whats the sea ray number
Was there manufacture name or number on the switch?
And can you get a photo of it
 
Patrick,
Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to locate the correct switch’s. Ordered two because they had a minimum
order so will have a spare. These should do the trick.great idea to pop the actuator off the old switch. This way they will look the same.
 
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