Cutwater 28 - no power to engine

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mrmikepettit

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Joined
Aug 26, 2015
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7
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Cutwater 28
Vessel Name
New Horizons
Bought our boat new from a dealer far away. The solar reads good output but doesnt charge the batteries. We leave our shore power with everything charged full, anchor out using no power, cant restart as the engine barely turns over. We start the gen for a few minutes with only battery charger and i get enough juice to start. I found loose connection to the engine (hard to reach) and tightened them. I turned on engine power, pushed start, engine clicked, lost all engine power, even to the panel. Too far from dealer so they wont come to me, the shop at my marina is incompetent, so I'm stuck at the dock. Can't find anything loose or blown. Help?
 
mrmikepettit":151bnyuv said:
Bought our boat new from a dealer far away. The solar reads good output but doesnt charge the batteries. We leave our shore power with everything charged full, anchor out using no power, cant restart as the engine barely turns over. We start the gen for a few minutes with only battery charger and i get enough juice to start. I found loose connection to the engine (hard to reach) and tightened them. I turned on engine power, pushed start, engine clicked, lost all engine power, even to the panel. Too far from dealer so they wont come to me, the shop at my marina is incompetent, so I'm stuck at the dock. Can't find anything loose or blown. Help?
Click to expand...

Hello Mike,

That's a BUMMER! Welcome to Tugnuts. Someone with a Cutwater or a Factory rep will chime in with some help.

Sounds like you are going to need to Self-rescue. To start, do you have a volt-ohm meter (VOM)?

Get out your VOM, and start checking voltages...start at the batteries, then work toward the panel/s. With a charging source ON, you should be able to measure 13+ VDC at the battery/s positive terminals. Of course, check ALL connections to/from the batteries to ensure they are tight and free of corrosion. Note location and function of ALL breakers/ fuses. Sometimes one or more of these will trip and prevent battery charging, etc.

If you already know this please forgive my very basic and general advise. I've been meaning to sketch out a schematic of my own boat's electricals so that I can more quickly diagnose electrical-related problems. On an immensely more electrically-complicated boat like yours, you also need to know how it's wired. Even so you can flip breakers back on after they've opened....but then you should go on to figure out WHY a fuse or breaker tripped.

Anyway, best wishes with your problem. Keep us posted as your solution could help the next guy/gal.

dave
 
There could be many issues causing this problem. Is your engine batterysealed or is itflooded? If it is sealed bring it to a full charge and then let it rest. Then use a load tester if you have one, if not take it to an auto store and they can provide that test usually for free. If your battery is flooded than a simple hydrometer test can determine that each cell is it in good order. Once you have determined that the battery is in good shape you now need to check your connections,both ground and positive connection it. Remove the cables queen any corrosion off apply some corrosion block and reconnect everything. After you do this if you still have a problem then it could be the starter solenoid or the starter itself. Your comment about the solar panel not charging the batteries or not getting a charge on shore power could very well mean that all your batteries are shot. Go through the same process as far as checking your battery integrity that was mentioned for your engine battery.
Let us know how things are progressing.
 
Could be a ground issue.

Take apart every ground connection. Clean them off. Coat them with dielectric grease and re-fasten (tight, but not too tight).

Had a similar issue and this took care of it.
 
Mike,

You might take a moment and check the water level in all the batteries. I had the identical problem when I first purchased Shearwater - started the generator, but would not crank the engine until I started the generator and waited for it to charge the batteries.

The batteries were nearly empty of water - since they were several years old, I replaced them all and there have been no further problems.

While this might not be the problem you are seeing, it is an easy item to check.

BTW, on my R-25, the house battery also has to be charged to crank the engine, if either bank is low, no cranking.
 
Is there a competent local RV guy good with electrics? So many possibilities from dud battery(s) to solar charge controller, relays, switches etc. if you're not handy in the complexities of a multi faceted system like this it is a little like shooting in the dark for sure. I'm with previous advice, check each battery when disconnected for over 14.5 volts and if wet, are the cells fully flooded. After that it's a matter of insuring the engine, the solar panel, and the generator are willing and able to charge ALL the batteries in your system. I can anchor out for 3 days in winter with a furnace running in the morning and evening hours for meals and lounging, and the engine starts just fine - just a solar panel on my C28. Something is amiss but that is the problem - finding it. Andrew might pipe in here...
 
Okay folks, thank you for the help! Problem solved. Apparently a nut was over tightened at the factory on the solenoid. The threads were stripped and the main power line was arcing on the stud. It was worn down so that it worked and sometimes would work and sometimes wouldn't. I have a good salad temporary fix in place but I will have to replace the solenoid. I really appreciate all the response and help you guys are awesome.
 
Hi Mike,
Can you send me pictures of this part so we can make sure you are taken care of. I apologize for the headache on this item. We want to make sure you enjoy your Cutwater and are here to help
 
I agree with Knotflying. The batteries could be shot or the connections are bad. I had a similar problem, I found 1 out of 4 batteries was NG, plus I actually removed all the connections, 1 at a time, wire brush them and re-attach. Then I spray them with battery terminal spray. It comes out red, don't know what it is, some kind of oil? Before this I couldn't start the engine with out putting the switch on "ALL". After, it worked fine and the batteries held a charge for 24 hours with everything running. That's what boats are all about. When your not out enjoying them, you have to spend some time for TLC.
 
Okay, so I still have work to do. After cruising 80+ miles last weekend we stopped in Burlington, Vt. for dinner on the way home. After being docked for 2 hours it would only click when trying to start but thrusters and everything else worked fine. When I turned the crossover on it started. I fixed the arcing problem but still have an issue. Looks like I need to follow the popular advice of removing and testing a battery at a time and ensure perfect connections upon reinstalling them, starting with the port side batteries. Suspecting a bad engine battery.
ronnieg:
I will attempt to get a picture of the solenoid but it is in a very unhandy place on the bottom port side of the Volvo Penta. All of the work done on it so far has been by someone with small, long arms to reach it without seeing it. I'll try to get my phone down there to get a picture.
 
Did u check the battery water level?
 
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