Official 1998 Sea Ray Sundancer 290 Thread

I just replaced all three of mine with group 27 costco batteries. They cost about $85 each. So far, so good.

You have 3 batteries. One for Starboard engine and that battery should be isolated with no other loads. The other two are wired in parallel and power the port engine, generator and all the house loads.

Your boat came from the factory with one single bank charger. Basically, the lowest battery turns the charger on and charges until that battery is charged. The problem is, the other batteries are also getting charged (overcharged) at the same time.

In theory your two Port batteries should charge and discharge at the same rate if they are the same age, type, size... and they are connected to the same loads. You could use a two bank charger and you would be in a much better position than you are with the stock single bank charger.

On my last boat which was essentially the same battery and wiring setup as this boat, I used a ProMariner 3 bank charger and never had battery problems again. It's like putting in a separate charger for each battery and in my opinion is the best solution. If I replace the charger on this boat (which I probably should to extend battery life) I will be using the same ProMariner charger.
 
Thanks, we're not costco members (BJ's around here, but their batteries get terrible reviews)

I'm reading pretty good things about the Everstart's from walmart. Same price range and made by Johnson Controls. I also think I will go with the 3 bank charger, either NOCO or promariner. They said I could get away with a 2 bank but having three group 27's they recommend 30A, which puts me into a 3 bank.
 
The batteries I just took out were group 24 Walmart batteries. 3-4 years old. I've heard good things but they didn't last long for me. Could be the single bank charger killing them though...
 
magstang1 said:
The batteries I just took out were group 24 Walmart batteries. 3-4 years old. I've heard good things but they didn't last long for me. Could be the single bank charger killing them though...
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Hopefully its the charger. I usually look to replace at the 4 year mark anyways so that wouldn't bother me too much. Just grabbed a 27DC to replace the STBD batt. Did you bump that single bank to a 27 just for some extra juice? Since it only starts that motor I was thinking a 24 starting battery might be ok...although it's only a $20 difference.
 
All of my batteries are 27 as well. I am getting about 5 years out of them, but I don't have a generator, so my port/house batteries get used hard.
 
I now carry a spare ignition sensor.
The sensor on one of the engines failed when I was cruising the San Juan islands last week. The engine would not start, and I noticed that the fuel pump would prime, but no fuel was leaving the jets over the throttle body when I was cranking the starter. The sensor is located under the distributor cover, and senses when the distributor is turning; in failure mode it didn't see the distributor turning so it cut fuel. The bad sensor had an exposed circuit board, and the new replacement sensor has a sealed circuit board so at least I paid for a better design!
I bought two of the sensors and replaced them on both engines, and the old one is now a spare.
 
Tacoma290 said:
I now carry a spare ignition sensor.
The sensor on one of the engines failed when I was cruising the San Juan islands last week. The engine would not start, and I noticed that the fuel pump would prime, but no fuel was leaving the jets over the throttle body when I was cranking the starter. The sensor is located under the distributor cover, and senses when the distributor is turning; in failure mode it didn't see the distributor turning so it cut fuel. The bad sensor had an exposed circuit board, and the new replacement sensor has a sealed circuit board so at least I paid for a better design!
I bought two of the sensors and replaced them on both engines, and the old one is now a spare.
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damn electronics, what's the part number? I'd like to look at mine and see if it is also an exposed board.
 
Part number is: Mercruiser 87-892150Q02
The only trick was that the original was two-wire, where the new sensor also has a ground wire, but I found a good ground on top of the engine.
 
Tacoma290 said:
Part number is: Mercruiser 87-892150Q02
The only trick was that the original was two-wire, where the new sensor also has a ground wire, but I found a good ground on top of the engine.
Click to expand...

Just looked through my part diagram and don't see one for our motor, looks like we have 811637 module instead. I would have thought the 305/350 would share the same parts especially within a couple years of each other.
 
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For you diy guys, how the F do you get to the engine coupler grease zerks? I changed the mains oil today and was feeling around back there, not sure how I'm going to get to the things.
 
can anybody without a generator take a couple pictures for me i would appreciate it.

i'm looking for pictures of the water heater wiring connections as well as hose layout. i'm buying a water heater and installing it but i never had one. the previous owner removed the unit and cut the wires because it leaked.

on my boat (no generator) the water heater is on the port/stern corner of the engine room.

thanks
 
Has anyone done anything to quiet down the ac/heat? It's very loud on our boat and may just be because it's an old unit but I was on a friends 305 bayliner and you can't even hear their compressor. Ours wakes us up when it turns on.

If i stuff a pillow in front of the vent it quiets it significantly, but obviously can't leave that there and restrict return airflow.

AFD, sorry but we have the gen or i'd gladly send you some pics.
 
Does anyone have any experience in changing the porthole screens..... I need to change a few of them because they are torn...
Any advice is appreciated....
 
Hello, Jim here. The wife and I are in the process of buying a 2000 290 and want to say hi and will be looking forward to picking everyone's brains about this boat as we learn our way in using it. We are coming from sail boats and it's a difference.
 
Stocksj said:
Hello, Jim here. The wife and I are in the process of buying a 2000 290 and want to say hi and will be looking forward to picking everyone's brains about this boat as we learn our way in using it. We are coming from sail boats and it's a difference.
Click to expand...

Welcome, it seems like there's only a few of us with this vintage but we absolutely love ours. Do you have any pictures yet? We'd love to see her. I see they're rebuilds, any details? Long or short blocks?
 
We are still waiting to close after the Genset, AC get fixed. Also the outdrive hydraulic lines are leaking and need replacing. I need to sand off and repaint the Alpha 1 outdrives plus replace the bellows. She has rebuilt twin 5.0 with 75 hours on them. Other than some general clean up and maintenance looks like a good boat. Question, what does the term DA mean in the description of the Sundancers?
 
DA is Searay's designation for Sundancer DB is used for Sedan Bridge that's why a 400DA Nd 400DB could use the same number and be different without confusion
 
so, i bought a motor today. $5843 i didn't want to spend. should be roughly another grand to install (quoted)plus incidentals and transport from my driveway to shop. all for less than i could get a motor for on ebay.
just about $7,000 back in the water.
can't wait.

went with a 357 275hp CPO from mercruiser
plan is to drop in another 357 next year to have upgraded power and fuel efficiency across the board.
 
AFD said:
so, i bought a motor today. $5843 i didn't want to spend. should be roughly another grand to install (quoted)plus incidentals and transport from my driveway to shop. all for less than i could get a motor for on ebay.
just about $7,000 back in the water.
can't wait.

went with a 357 275hp CPO from mercruiser
plan is to drop in another 357 next year to have upgraded power and fuel efficiency across the board.
Click to expand...

Sweet motor but why the replace? Did one blow up?
 
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