Problem with Engine Hatch Opening via external Battery on 2008 330DA

[John-Burgess]

Getting ready for spring commissioning. Batteries are disconnected for winter and was planning to reconnect and charge up rather than paying marina to do that for me. I used the cigarette lighter harness that Sea Ray provides for connecting an external battery to power the engine hatch. Could only get the engine hatch up an inch before the fuse in the harness would blow. Never had a problem opening the hatch when batteries are connect and according to Sea Ray manual this harness is made for this function. Has anyone else experienced the problem? It is a monster of a hatch and I am guessing that the current draw exceeds the fuse capability. Can get it to go back down without blowing the fuse so I think it is just not beefy enough for the job.

Thanks for reading and looking forward to suggestions, comments.

John

 

[tbirdvet]

I had the same issue. I changed the fuse in the harness up one size (I think 20A or 25A) and all works. I checked the wiring and does not even get warm so I assume it can handle the current. That hatch system draws a lot of juice. I also keep some extra fuses with me just in case.

 

[John-Burgess]

John, thank you. I will try going to a 20A fuse from the 15A that came with the harness. My boat is a 2008 as well so possibility they used an incorrect fuse in the 330 that year.

John

 

[barryg]

Let me know how it works.. I have to replace all 4 batteries and can't get the hatch to raise so I too will have to use the cig lighter adapter this weekend.. Where they store the batteries just about kills my back for days between taking the old ones out , and putting the new ones in as I usually do it myself.. This time I'm going to wait for a friend so I can try to save the pain!!

 

[Alex F]

Try greasing the motors and the arm. I always did it as part of my winterizing process and never had the fuse blow out. To grease the motors there's a zerk fitting and then I just put some grease on the arm.

Barry,

The process is very simple. Find the pigtail for the lighter, plug it in and the other two ends connect to a good battery placing it next to the lighter outlet. As soon as the connection made the 12VDC juice is now provided to the boat. Hit the UP button to raise the hatch.

 

[another escapade]

I have an older 330 , will the same pigtail work on my engine hatch lift ? anybody with a picture of the set up? I'm not sure what it looks like,my boat did not have one.

 

[Her Diamond 2]

If your close to a shore power, you could just hook up like at the dock and turn on the main switch and the hatch will open/close. If not, you could also buy the shore power pigtail adapter and plug it into your shore power inlet and plug the other end into AC power. It all depends if your close to a power source.

 

[Alex F]

If your close to a shore power, you could just hook up like at the dock and turn on the main switch and the hatch will open/close. If not, you could also buy the shore power pigtail adapter and plug it into your shore power inlet and plug the other end into AC power. It all depends if your close to a power source.

The way I understand your post, you make it sound like the hatch have dual voltage actuators. I highly doubt and as far as I remember they're only 12VDC and whether shore power is hooked up or not makes no difference. At least this is how it worked on my 320, but I'm guessing that most similar size and age boats had the same setup.

 

[hack4alivin]

Let me know how it works.. I have to replace all 4 batteries and can't get the hatch to raise so I too will have to use the cig lighter adapter this weekend.. Where they store the batteries just about kills my back for days between taking the old ones out , and putting the new ones in as I usually do it myself.. This time I'm going to wait for a friend so I can try to save the pain!!

Right at your feet at the helm station there is an access door to the fuse panels. On this panel there is a positive (Red) and Negative (Black) bonding post for your 12 volt systems. I hook up my jumper cables to these posts, which provides much more current than that cigarette light plug can provide. Quick and simple.

 

[barryg]

Thanks guys... I'll be working on replacing the batteries this weekend..

 

[tbirdvet]

Right at your feet at the helm station there is an access door to the fuse panels. On this panel there is a positive (Red) and Negative (Black) bonding post for your 12 volt systems. I hook up my jumper cables to these posts, which provides much more current than that cigarette light plug can provide. Quick and simple.

The 330 does not have those posts, have to use the lighter technique.

 

[John-Burgess]

I was concerned about running shore power with battery cables disconnected as I too believe the hatch motors are DC. Can't remember if the shore power runs to the battery charger and then through batteries and wanted to play it safe. Sounds like Bill's suggestion of connecting through the helm station terminals are a great idea. I remember seeing them when I thought I might have blown a breaker on the boat rather than a fuse in the cigarette lighter harness. Note that there is a green light on the cigarette lighter connector and the light is before the fuse!

Great suggestions everyone.

John

 

[tbirdvet]

Today I had to use the 12V receptacle and I blew the fuse in the panel (the one under one of those plastic caps under the helm). To change that fuse do you just pull off that cover or do something else? Update:

Looks like you just push it in to reset like a circuit breaker, done.

 

[Pgh330]

1. The Engine Hatch is DC powered.
2. there is 2 options -- 1 with the batteries in and connected and the 2nd with the batteries out or not connected.
3. This procedure is ONLY For when the Batteries are out or disconnected
a. use a jump start or any 12v battery ( can be as small as lawn tractor 12v) make sure that they are fully charged first.
b. need a cigarette light plug (male) with red + / Black - Leads
c. Turn main DC mains off (both if Twin engine -- these are under the side of the helm seat)
d. Plug male connector in 12v socket at bottom Right of Helm
e. next connect battery / Jump Start to Red + / Black - wires correctly (if not you may burn out the fuse in the male connector.
f. Make sure the red and black jumpers are seperated and not touching each other
g. Turn on your Jump start - then turn on your "Starboard" DC Main
h. operate your hatch lift switch

**** if can not open your hatch with batteries plugged in do not use this method as you WILL Short out your 12v outlet / plug fuse / etc.

*** Check all fuses: both under Helm and on Main DC shut-off panel. These are just push to reset -- if they keep blowing -- then you have a short

*** the only way to open the hatch is Manually -- which means you need to pull the strut Pins which are accessable under the rear seat floor. And get some Muscle Help -- you will need it -- it is very heavy. they have a support pole to keep the hatch open on the front underside of the hatch.

 

[tbirdvet]

1. The Engine Hatch is DC powered.
2. there is 2 options -- 1 with the batteries in and connected and the 2nd with the batteries out or not connected.
3. This procedure is ONLY For when the Batteries are out or disconnected
a. use a jump start or any 12v battery ( can be as small as lawn tractor 12v) make sure that they are fully charged first.
b. need a cigarette light plug (male) with red + / Black - Leads
c. Turn main DC mains off (both if Twin engine -- these are under the side of the helm seat)
d. Plug male connector in 12v socket at bottom Right of Helm
e. next connect battery / Jump Start to Red + / Black - wires correctly (if not you may burn out the fuse in the male connector.
f. Make sure the red and black jumpers are seperated and not touching each other
g. Turn on your Jump start - then turn on your "Starboard" DC Main
h. operate your hatch lift switch

**** if can not open your hatch with batteries plugged in do not use this method as you WILL Short out your 12v outlet / plug fuse / etc.

*** Check all fuses: both under Helm and on Main DC shut-off panel. These are just push to reset -- if they keep blowing -- then you have a short

*** the only way to open the hatch is Manually -- which means you need to pull the strut Pins which are accessable under the rear seat floor. And get some Muscle Help -- you will need it -- it is very heavy. they have a support pole to keep the hatch open on the front underside of the hatch.

Not sure I understand step g. Why turn starboard DC main on? What does this do? I get power through the system with DC main in off position as well.