Dave,
The output wire from your alternator should go through the battery switch on
the way to the battery, as well should the main starter wire. There
shouldn't be anything consuming power that is grounded to the engine with
the switch off. I would think that the bilge pump and radio are grounded to
a bus bar somewhere and not to your engine.
Jake
Jake Brodersen
C&C 35 Mk-III
Midnight Mistress
Hampton VA
cid:image001.png@01CE3D06.5A990940
From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of David
Knecht
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2013 11:34 PM
To: CnC CnC discussion list
Subject: Re: Stus-List Starting a Universal
I wanted to report back to the list on what is hopefully the resolution of
my engine starting problems. To recap, I was having intermittent problems
where pressing the start switch led to nothing until last week when I could
not get it to turn over at all. Following various list suggestions, I
started with the engine panel and found that the start switch seemed to be
working fine and the contacts looked clean. I looked at the starter and
solenoid and it was so hard to get to the contacts that I passed on that
possibility for the time being. I then had a discussion with the mechanic
at the broker where I bought the boat and he said that in his experience
9/10 times the problem was the engine ground connection. So I went back to
the boat and took that apart and cleaned the cable ends. When I tried the
starter again, the engine turned over immediately and started up. So I
think the problem is solved. It was a PITA job as usual with engines, since
the placement of the ground connection forced me to rest sideways with my
head supporting my upper body while my hips and legs rested on the rear
mattress. I am beginning the think that if I have a next boat, engine
access will become my primary concern over sailing characteristics.
One unresolved issue I would like advice on. When I took the ground wires
(3) off the engine I got a significant spark as they were pulled away from
the block. The same thing happened when I tried to reconnect them. I
resorted to disconnecting the batteries until I had the ground back in
place. This was with the battery switch off, so nothing should have been
powered except the emergency bilge pump. The mechanic seemed unconcerned
when I reported back to him, but I wonder if anyone has an idea what the
presence of this apparently live circuit means.
Thanks for all the help from the list resolving this issue. Dave
On Jul 6, 2013, at 8:20 PM, Chuck S <cscheaf...@comcast.net> wrote:
Hi Dave,
Don't lose faith. You bought a great boat, and Universal made a great
engine for it.
First, the starter is bolted to the engine and both are grounded to the
battery negative. The starter motor is looking for the red positive to run.
The starter has two big terminals (power) and two smaller terminals
(solenoid) on it. The starter button completes a control circuit to power
the solenoid, which closes larger contacts that power the starter. When the
starter gets power, the little motor spins and throws a shaft toward the
flywheel and it's gear meshes with the flywheel and turns it, turning over
the engine.
When the thing don't start, you can short the terminals with a big
screwdriver to make it go. There will be a small spark when you do this, so
be sure no oil spills are close and no combustibles like propane are
present. When you short the small terminals, you are bypassing the starter
button. When you short the two big terminals, you are bypassing the
solenoid contacts. If either trick works, it indicates rebuilding the
starter. If it doesn't turn over the engine after trying both tricks, you
need a rebuilt or new starter. An auto starter guy will cost less than a
marine guy. So I recommend marking and removing the four wires and two
bolts and taking it to a starter shop.
A single Auto Jumper cable can also be used to bypass suspected problems.
Just use logic. Look for Diesel Maintenance book by Nigel Calder or Don
Casey.
Mechanics use a trick: take a jumper attach the alligator clip it to the
battery's positive terminal and touch the other end to the big terminal on
the starter.
Chuck
Resolute
1990 C&C 34R
Atlantic City, NJ
_____
David Knecht
Aries
1990 C&C 34+
New London, CT
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