Official 280 Sundancer Thread

I didn't but will try it.
To be honest the time it takes to reach its temp cut off I'd be supprised an extra pint would make that much differenc but I'll give it a go anyway, thanks Mike
 
themikehyde said:
Do you remove the vent plug on top st the front when you fill the coolant in the genny? It will actually allow over a pint more coolant to be added?
Mike
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Mike's got it. If you didn't remove this vent plug when filling with antifreeze, the generator will heat up and then quit due to an overtemp condition. There is an airlock in the reservoir that prevents the coolant from flowing properly. I went through trouble the first time I ever flushed the system. Removing that vent plug will allow a pint or so more fluid, which will cure the problem!

20130510_152026.jpg
 
When I was having my generator issues (knock on wood, seems to be cured for now), I found several threads where people were talking about this problem. Even going as far as to squeeze the associated hoses to make sure all the air was bled out.
 
Having a problem with my windshield wiper. Does not work, switch on the panel does not light up or hear a click. Breaker is not tripped. Thats the only button not working on that dash panel, possible that there is another fuse or breaker? I would check the wiper motor itself but also not sure how to access that. Looks like it would be under the roof near where the dinette light is but closer to the side = no access unles there is a way that whole roof panel comes off.
 
breakitout said:
Having a problem with my windshield wiper. Does not work, switch on the panel does not light up or hear a click. Breaker is not tripped. Thats the only button not working on that dash panel, possible that there is another fuse or breaker? I would check the wiper motor itself but also not sure how to access that. Looks like it would be under the roof near where the dinette light is but closer to the side = no access unles there is a way that whole roof panel comes off.
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On my '05 to access the motor you take the light down. Then look around the hole and there are long screws holding that box/cover up. Pretty easy to do. Can't help you with your elec problem as I haven't had that one yet.
 
Woody said:
On my '05 to access the motor you take the light down. Then look around the hole and there are long screws holding that box/cover up. Pretty easy to do. Can't help you with your elec problem as I haven't had that one yet.
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Thanks will try that first and check the wiper motor.. easier then messing around with the EIM and the switch panels, what a stupid design for troubleshooting, they look nice but would be fine if they were mechanical switches instead.
 
Speaking of the EIM switch panels and wishing they were mechanical switches...

Just yesterday I installed my brand new windlass motor and hooked it all up. Turned the power on to it at the starboard side helm switch panel, held my breathe and started pushing buttons. The windlass motor works beautifully using the up and down foot switches, and works beautifully using the up helm switch. Music to my ears.

However the down helm switch wouldn't work at first. After awhile I started to press harder and wiggle my finger around the center area of the switch. Sure enough, I found that if I press really (really) hard directly in the center of the switch, I can get it to work. But I'm nearly using all of the strength in my thumb to do so!

Question is, is there anything I can do about this as an easy fix? Is there a way to open up this switch panel and look around? Maybe there is a plunger or other "knub" that is worn down, or bent or something behind the outer portion of the switch?

If only they were mechanical switches, it would be such an easy fix...

Tom
 
Anyone ever install a device to monitor the fresh water tank level? Funny that Sea Ray would have omitted that important feature. If snaking a video line to the cabin wasn't such a hassle, I'd install a backup camera type unit focused on the tank, with the output into the TV in the cabin. The camera I saw listed has LED lighting installed, so no need to even turn on the ER lights.

UPDATE: I bought one of those cameras on eBay for $17.00 delivered. I think it has IR lighting built-in. I'll let you know how it works. Great for those too lazy to open the hatch, like me.
 
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Gunn said:
Mike's got it. If you didn't remove this vent plug when filling with antifreeze, the generator will heat up and then quit due to an overtemp condition. There is an airlock in the reservoir that prevents the coolant from flowing properly. I went through trouble the first time I ever flushed the system. Removing that vent plug will allow a pint or so more fluid, which will cure the problem!

20130510_152026.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow guys thanks alot for your help, did as you said and bingo all good to go.
Cant believe such a small amout of fluid did the trick.
Thanks again
KG
 
TheBigb said:
Yes I do, and I also have a 3 year extended Brunswick warranty. I let them know, but they take forever....
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Update to this:

They ended up replacing the Water Pressure sensor (Free of charge) . They did it on the port engine too just in case.
 
Woody said:
On my '05 to access the motor you take the light down. Then look around the hole and there are long screws holding that box/cover up. Pretty easy to do. Can't help you with your elec problem as I haven't had that one yet.
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problem solved. Was really no problem. wiper worked fine, so I read somewhere someone had to press the EIM button really hard to get a function to work. that was the case. I never use my wiper maybe thats why the button needed a lot of extra force to turn on. Easy solution! Thanks for the help.
 
breakitout said:
problem solved. Was really no problem. wiper worked fine, so I read somewhere someone had to press the EIM button really hard to get a function to work. that was the case. I never use my wiper maybe thats why the button needed a lot of extra force to turn on. Easy solution! Thanks for the help.
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That must have been me and my anchor 'down' button. :smt001. Never did find if that can be fixed or not without replacing the whole thing. Again, bad design idea!
 
Interesting weekend, I woke up to my bed being soaked and no I did not wet the bed. The port side v-birth cushion under the storage cabinet was full of water. There is condensation on the ac duct that flows to the upper portion of the cabinet. Bad part it is it has been raining like crazy for a week here. I used a hose to spray everything I could to mimic the rain and I could find no new water. This leads me to believe it is the ac. Anyone have this happen? AC seems to be working just fine.
 
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Kurt said:
Interesting weekend, I woke up to my bed being soaked and no I did not wet the bed. The port side v-birth cushion under the storage cabinet was full of water. There is condensation on the ac duct that flows to the upper portion of the cabinet. Bad part it is it has been raining like crazy for a week here. I used a hose to spray everything I could to mimic the rain and I could find no new water. This leads me to believe it is the ac. Anyone have this happen? AC seems to be working just fine.
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I had a similar problem last year
It turned out to be the latches on one of the port holes were not tight enough
once I tightened them the problem was gone, just some staining of the bunk area
Good luck
 
I think I found it. I took the port nav light apart and found the gasket to be stretched and swimming under the light. There is dime size hole where the wire comes thru and the caulk was eroded down into the hull. There was water standing in the hole so I dried it up cleaned it well, filled the hole with silicone, and set the gasket with silicone. Lets hope this works. I hit the entire area with that mildew stain remover and set a fan on it over night. I think I caught it before it could stain. Thanks for everyone's help. In the process of checking everything I took apart the windlass foot switches (big mistake). My short arms will never reach these to get them set back in place. I am going to have to recruit my long armed buddy for help. So BIG warning, don't take these out unless you have long arms.
 
I almost forgot, I have been having port side drive bubbling over in the reservoir, It is set to come off next Monday. Hopefully the New Brunswick warranty covers whatever is wrong. Nothing else it is good time to change the zincs and paint the drives.
 
SurferRI said:
Took a cruise out in the bay today and anchored up. I ran out the anchor on the windlass from the helm controls without issue. I walked up to the bow to check the lead of the line and wanted to pay out some more line. I used the foot pedal on the bow to pay out the line. Shortly after stepping on the pedal I heard a "winding down" sound and the windlass stopped working. We then tried from the helm again and it still did not work. I opened up the hatch and had my wife try the helm control. I can hear what sounds like a solenoid firing each time the button is depressed to haul in or out. I can't seem to find a breaker but fuse doesn't appear to be popped. Manually hauled it in at the end of the day and flaked it in the locker best as possible. Anyone have any ideas what the issue may be with the windlass? Checks to be made? 2003 280 Sundancer. Thanks in advance!
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Just had the issue. Check panel under throttle controls in cockpit. Relay there may be welded shut. $2300, as you must replace entire board. My mechanic found a work around for it. Not Sea Ray spec, but he had done it before and it works. Also rebuilt windlass motor along the way, and replaced solenoid. Good luck!
 
Just an update on my fresh water tank by camera monitoring system installation. Works perfectly. The IR lighting built-in to the camera illuminates the fresh water tank nicely, making the job of monitoring the tank level almost fun. I was able to snake the power/video cable through the small hole on the starboard side, which is located behind the head wall. That hole is just about closed up, since I installed several cables with my mods. I doubt any more cables can be snaked through that hole, unless it's enlarged somehow. If anyone is interested, here is a link to the eBay auction. It would probably do a very nice job for it's intended function, as a back-up camera, and at $17.00 delivered it's an incredible value.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261258593121?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
 
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