No start power for the Westerbeke--ideas?

H

hbishop3

New Member
Oct 29, 2009
61
Virginia
Boat Info
'08 44 Sundancer "Hi-Jinx 2"
'97 Sundancer 400 "Hi-Jinx"
Engines
Cummins QSC 500's
Went to start the generator yesterday; no power when you push the rocker switch. Checked the battery; 13.2v, checked the rotating cutoff switch, 13.2v, but no power to the on-engine start switches and no power to the remote switch on the cabin panel. The schematic shows a c/b (4 AMP in one diagram, 10A in another) but I don't see but one 20A pushbutton. Anyone have any ideas?
 
Mechanics were on board to do the 1000 hour service on the diesels. I could get no power to any of the switches either on the genny or at the cabin switchboard. Seems like a blown fuse in between the battery and the genny (the schematic seemed to indicate one exists as well). But I sure don't see one anywhere. Would it but under the helm in that fuze panel? Don't see any issues there either though...
 
I dont know if this is the circuit breaker you were referring to but there is a circuit breaker button on the top of the genny itself that when blown, makes it appear to have no power. Just pust the button in to reset and it should work perfectly
 
Interesting; I have crawled all over that thing and haven't seen it yet. I know it exists because the schematic shows it. Would be nice if their manuals had pictures for us non-mechanical types...
 
On the gas Westerbeake, I had an 8 Amp fuse that is near the start switch on the genny. It is in a little black screw in cap... I also have a switch on the genny that needs to be turned on to remote start the genny...
 
I have found a 20A red button, a white double throw gangbar (suspect it is for output electricity) and remote switches. The manual says there is a switch to allow local starting, but haven't found it yet. Next step is to take apart the box holding the white switches and see if there is a fuze in there...
 
There's a toggle switch on the side of the control panel on the Gen for the 8btd. it's hard to find if you don't know it's there.
 
The remote starting switch is usually on the side or back of the panel box on the generator. The generator will function with only one panel......either the one in the salon or the panel on the generator.... activated at a time. My guess is that your mechanic has bypassed the main panel and used the remote panel for servicing the generator. Find that switch and flip it to the other position and your main panel should function as it always has.
 
There is a DC circuit breaker and fuse on the aft end of the control panel. Do a search on-line for the trouble shooting manual - it has a drawing showing their location. If you can't find it pm your email address and I'll send it.
 
Thanks for all the help everyone. My friendly neighbor with a 48' SeaRay dove back into the generator cavity with a voltmeter and found the problem. There are two white connectors in the wire bundle between the starboard diesel and the genset. When the mechanic was reattaching the muffler system he stepped on one of the connectors and, while it looked connected, it was not making a connection inside the plug. After reseating the connector, it all works again. Learned alot about the generator system though; there is no 110v power in that circuit anywhere. The generator battery can be jumped if you think it is dead; I will now add battery jumper cables to the tool cupboard. If you want to start the generator locally (at the genset) you need to hold the preheat switch down and while holding it down depress the start toggle. And I don't have any idea how I will ever change the fanbelt on that thing. I can't get close enough to even SEE the starboard side of that thing; you have to climb over the water heater to reach the back, and the front is butt-up against a tank.
 
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