Official 280 Sundancer Thread

[Presentation]

Re: 'Breaker breaker'

much thx!

This photo is not our boat, but its close enough. I could not find a photo of a 280 Sundancer shower sump.

Remove your trash can beneath the cabin step.

Look down and you will see a shower sump.

Remove the clear plastic cover by unscrewing the screws.

Inside is a red pump and a white float switch. If the float switch is up the pump comes on. If the float switch is down the pump shuts off.

If the tub is so full of gunk the float switch may be stuck in the up position.

Clean it out and test with water.

If the float switch works your done. If not, replace the float switch.

This compartment needs to be cleaned about 1x/year depending on how often you use your Air Conditioning and shower / head drain, not the toilet, the drain in the floor in the head. Both the A/C pan and head room / shower drain into this sump.

 

[stevedore]

Re: 'Breaker breaker'

There's no switch (dash, elsewhere?) between the circuit breaker and the sump pump right, other than the float switch at pump of course ??

 

[Presentation]

Re: 'Breaker breaker'

There's no switch (dash, elsewhere?) between the circuit breaker and the sump pump right ??

You are correct.

Only the automatic float switch inside the sump box and that is how you want it.

 

[trdehmer]

Looks like the culprit was that it was airlocked - didn't prime itself.

Mechanic found that I have a pulley that is bad and said the serpentine belt needs to be replaced, so I guess its good they caught those before dropping in the water.

The plumbing on the BIII / 496 is terrible. I don't think the pump generates enough head to pull the water from the drive. I went through a new pump, hoses and we still couldn't get water to the engine. A new through hull pickup solved the problem. By the way it was a mercruiser recommended solution!

Henry

 

[Bucit]

Sorry to get off the subject but I just bought a 2005 280DA and had a question regarding the TV and antenna. I have a Sharp 13" flat screen that will not pick up any stations. Is this due to the new digital signal? Will I need to use a digital converter or change out my TV antenna?

 

[Tonka Boater]

I have a Sharp 13" flat screen that will not pick up any stations. Is this due to the new digital signal? Will I need to use a digital converter or change out my TV antenna?

Yes, it's due to the new digital signal. Yes, you either need a converter box or a new TV with a built-in converter...either will work just fine.

 

[jason78]

Sorry to get off the subject but I just bought a 2005 280DA and had a question regarding the TV and antenna. I have a Sharp 13" flat screen that will not pick up any stations. Is this due to the new digital signal? Will I need to use a digital converter or change out my TV antenna?

As Tonka already stated- yes, you need a converter. I just wanted to add that you should consider getting a 12V converter, otherwise you will need an inverter or genny to get TV when out on the water. I have found the Glomex does a good job of receiving the stations when the AMP is turned all the way up.

 

[JimT]

As Tonka already stated- yes, you need a converter. I just wanted to add that you should consider getting a 12V converter, otherwise you will need an inverter or genny to get TV when out on the water. I have found the Glomex does a good job of receiving the stations when the AMP is turned all the way up.

The digital converter I installed was 12V but had an AC converter. I just cut off the AC converter and wired it to 12V. It gets great reception. Much cheaper than a new TV.

 

[Bucit]

What type of 12v converter are you guys using? I seen one or two that actually run on batteries and also 110V

 

[jason78]

What type of 12v converter are you guys using? I seen one or two that actually run on batteries and also 110V

I believe what Jim meant is he got a Digital Box that had a power "brick" at the end of the cord but the box itself only required 12V so he cut off the brick and wired it directly in to the 12V boat power.

If you cannot find a Didital Box that runs on 12V, you will have to buy a 12VDC>110VAC Inverter to plug the Digital Box in to. This is not the ideal setup though.

Digitial Boxes are easily found that will run off 12V. You can even buy a step down 12V converter from Radio Shack if for instance the Digital Box you found required 9V or something other than 12V.

Jason

 

[Bucit]

Can anybody with the 4.3's and Alpha drives tell me what props they are running (brand name and pitch)? I'm still miffed that the baot couldn't plane off with 7 poeple on board.

 

[rhodyboater]

You know, all of us on this thread are diehard
280da owners but I'm really starting to
wonder if SR knew what it was doing by
discontinuing this model afterall!
There do seem to be an inordinate amount
of unsolveable problems with the 280!!!

 

[Turtlesboat]

What unsolvable problems are you referring to? I didn't have a single problem with mine.

Can't remember what props I had. Think they were vengeance 22? Not sure though. Call sea Ray and they'll tell you. But your boat isn't running right, that's why you couldn't get in plane.

 

[rhodyboater]

Turtle, guess I'm referring to the never
ending question of what's setting off my
2 beats/minute alarm, why my guauges
are never accurate (except for charge and
oil), why the bow rides so high most of
the time, and how to fix the sliding
cabin door which rubs across the top and
now takes a Herculean effort to move it.
Other than that, I do love it!

 

[wvsundancer]

Bucit said he could not get onplane with 7 people onboard. I had 8 with my 496 and got on plane with no problem. Did you have your tabs all the way down ???

 

[BarryB]

Can anybody with the 4.3's and Alpha drives tell me what props they are running (brand name and pitch)? I'm still miffed that the baot couldn't plane off with 7 poeple on board.

I have the Vengeance 14.5 X 17 props on mine. If I have a boat load of people on it with full fuel and water and a dirty bottom I have to use my tabs to plane. With clean bottom, plenty of people, full fuel & water she pops right up.

 

[Bucit]

Thanks for the info BarryB. I have the Vengeance props also (which are standard I assume) but the edges looks worn, like they've been through the sand a few times. I've tried to plane with tabs up and down with the better result coming with the tabs down. I noticed a leak coming from my port tab so it may not be reacting the way it should. I'll be on the water this weekend without a fullboat and I'll play around with it. I'll check RPM's and GPS speed at full throttle and let you guys know on Monday.

Thanks again for all of your input!

 

[Tonka Boater]

Turtle, guess I'm referring to the never
ending question of what's setting off my
2 beats/minute alarm, why my guauges
are never accurate (except for charge and
oil), why the bow rides so high most of
the time, and how to fix the sliding
cabin door which rubs across the top and
now takes a Herculean effort to move it.
Other than that, I do love it!

I don't think these things are unique to the 280 -- stuff happens as boats age. The sliding door design is common on many models and I don't think anything about the 280's design make it worse. Same with the gauges. The bow thing is common and known on the 280...that is due to the design but every model has it's characteristics. Look at the 260 thread for example.

 

[Bucit]

You know, all of us on this thread are diehard
280da owners but I'm really starting to
wonder if SR knew what it was doing by
discontinuing this model afterall!
There do seem to be an inordinate amount
of unsolveable problems with the 280!!!

The 280DA was one of the best made and laid out boats I saw. I've always been an outboard fishing type boater but with a one year old little girl I figured a little more creature comfort couldn't hurt. As with any boat, things go wrong and need fixed. Since this type of boat is new to me I apprectiate the help CSR has been and hopefully will be in the furture. :thumbsup:

 

[Turtlesboat]

You should see one of my tachs on my 450, the thing is possessed. If you don't clean the door tracks like you clean your butt crack, it gets all crusty.