Fuses at Starter Soleniod?

[eze2bme]

Does anyone know if there are fuses in the wiring from the starter button to the starter soleniod? My starboard starter button on the flybridge does not cause the starter to engage. I've replaced the button but still nothing. Turning "ON" the switch does send power to the alarm panel and the STOP button will work. I'm assuming that there is a junction panel somewhere in the engine room that the wiring harness attach to before going to the starter soleniod which I'm going to investigate tonight. Thanks for any ideas.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

The junction may be in the aluminum box with the battery disconnect switches in it if you have one like that.

 

[TedZ]

Make sure you have 12 VDC at the small terminal and one of the big terminals on the solenoid. If yes, hit it with a hammer handle while someone is holding the button. If it has two small terminals, clean the end that goes to ground.

If there is not 12 VDC look for a fuse but i don't think there is one.

Ted

 

[StratPlan61]

Don't forget to check for a corroded terminal or connection somewhere in that circuit, sometimes a connection looks OK but is corroded where you can't first see it. Just a thought.

Bear'
1984 61' MY Strategic Plan

 

[Will]

Since you specifically mentioned the flybridge, we are assuming that the one at your normal helm station works as it should. That being the case, make sure there are no problems where the terminals are attached to the wires at the flybridge starter button. Then make sure you have good voltage to the supply side of the starter button. It may read 12 V without a load then drop significantly when the button is pushed. That would indicate a corroded connection. That being OK, follow the wire from the starter button to the starter and check all connections and terminals along the way. These puzzles can be perplexing.
Will

 

[eze2bme]

Thanks for the input guys! Tonight I looked over my wiring blueprints again and apparently the starter wires (labelled #172 for the starboard engine on my '79 43 DC) originate at each starter button (flybridge and lower helm) and then terminate on a terminal block in the engine compartment ... and from that terminal block just one wire runs to the soleniod. I found the wire on the solenoid labeled #172 but it is then wrapped in the wiring bundle. Tomorrow I'm going to call Hatteras and see if they can tell me which terminal block these wires go to ... I have two terminal blocks on the forward bulkhead infront of the starboard engine and three terminal blocks on the aft bulkhead behind each engine for a total of eight ... they are labeled with engraved plaques so hopefully Hatteras can tell me which is for what equipment. I must have 12 or more blueprints in the Owner's Manual but none address these terminal blocks.

 

[Will]

Re: Fuses at Starter Solenoid?

Our 1980 43 DCFB also has terminal blocks behind the access panel in the fwd, center closet in the aft cabin. That access panel also provides access to the back of the circuit breaker panel under the ladder between the aft deck and the salon.
Will

 

[eze2bme]

Yes Will ... I have the same breaker panel under my stairs that is serviced from the closet in the aft cabin. That panel however is only for the 120 volt and 12 volt circuits ... not engine related equipment. I also have a 12 volt electronics panel in the starboard cabinet in the salon.

I spoke with Jennifer Carmen today at Hatteras and she is looking through the old engineering files to see if they made a drawing indicating which terminal block is used for what equipment (these are the terminal blocks that are mounted in the engine compartment and labeled T.B.1, T.B.2 etc). I'll post if she finds out anything.

 

[Will]

eze2bme
I have 12 volt terminal blocks and a fuse panel (with Buss, automotive type fuses) in that space under the box for the 120 volt/12 volt switch panel. It looks like they are original. Fueses on that panel are for nav lights, dome light, etc. However, I don't know if any of them are for starter solenoids or not. Do you not have the same?
Will

 

[eze2bme]

Yes Will ... I have a few terminal blocks and fuse blocks inside the electrical panel in the aft cabin closet also ... but none of these are large enough to be the starter soleniod wiring ... it is 10 GA.

I'm going to be out of the country from Friday May 25 'til Sunday June 3rd ... so when I hear back from hatteras I'll post their comments.