Electric power system puzzle

[batate]

Hi, folks. I am working through learning our new vessel and a few things don't make sense to me, and I made a few readings. Here's what I learned when hitting various power systems and reading the onboard power meters over the cave in my classic 2014 29s.

First, I checked battery levels using the meters in various configurations. Here's what I found:

I covered the panels, let the systems stabilize and then turned house power on.

1. only house on,
- bank 1: no reading
- bank 2: 12.8 v
- bank 3: 12.8 v

We then ran a ton of systems for two hours, including inverter, electric stovetop, water heater, etc.

2. ran energy draining systems for 2 hours.
- bank 1: no reading
- bank 2: 12.8 v
- bank 3: 12.8 v

This was strange to me because I couldn't see a voltage drop. Next, we tried some different switch configurations:

3. parallel and engine on:
- bank 1: no reading
- bank 2: 12.2 v
- bank 3: 12.8 v

4. parallel and house on:
- bank 1: no reading
- bank 2: 12.2 v
- bank 3: 12.8

5. parallel off, engine on
- bank 1: no reading
- bank 2: 12.5 v
- bank 3: 12.8

6. parallel off, house on:
- bank 1: no reading
- bank 2: 12.5 v
- bank 3: 12.8

At this point, I was suspicious that my parallel was wired backwards. Then,

7. house only: no ignition, no start light.

8. engine only start:
bank 1: no reading
bank 2: down to 10, and back up to 12.5
bank 3: 12.8

I started the engine and had Maggie check the meters.

9. engine and parallel, starting engine:
bank 1: no reading
bank 2: dropped to 11.5 and then up to 12.5
bank 3: no effect

Then we started getting readings with other switches on.

10. All thrusters plus house and engine on
bank 1: no reading
bank 2: 12.5
bank 3: 12.8

11. Bow thruster:
bank 1: no reading
bank 2: 12.5
bank 3: 12.8


I have absolutely no idea what's going on. Any ideas?

 

[Capt’nKarl]

Good morning. This is just a thought. You stated you were connected to shore power and if that’s correct you probably won’t see much change in battery levels since what you were using, i.e. stovetop and water heater, are 120volt appliances. Did you have the battery charger on at the same time as running the inverter? If so you’re not supposed to do that. Did you check the voltage of the batteries in bank 1at the battery terminals? I’m sure you’ll get more information from this group soon.
Karl

 

[BB marine]

If you don't have a owners manual here it a link to one. The Number 1 is normally the house bank. 2 is engine and three is thruster bank. You are not seeing a reading so the first step is find out why switch or connection I would suspect.
download/file.php?id=156

Look over the wiring schematic and I think you will find all your answers. Based on all that you posted things look like they are functioning right. You just are not seeing the house bank. Use a VOA meter at the batteries and this will prove this theory.

The only issue that I would question is voltage with engine running should have increased. Were you at idle? It usually takes a bump of the throttle to excite the alternator. at this point you should see a increase in charging voltage.

 

[batate]

The schematics in the owners manual are most helpful.

If you don't have a owners manual here it a link to one. The Number 1 is normally the house bank. 2 is engine and three is thruster bank. You are not seeing a reading so the first step is find out why switch or connection I would suspect.
download/file.php?id=156

That makes sense. Where do the meters tap into the circuit to monitor them?

 

[batate]

I am slowly sorting things out. As many of you suggested, it's the house bank that's not showing. I installed a new set of duracell AGMs. The SAMS ones are under 200 each (1.5 year warranty) and Batteries Plus has a similar battery for a 2.5 year warranty for around 250. I got the longer warranty.

There's more progress. The stern side-owner thruster is traced to a bad unit with water intrusion. I've just ordered a new motor assembly that comes Friday. For the generator problems, I've ruled out electrical ones and called a mechanic due to time.

The Pepwave unit is installed and functioning well.

When those projects are complete, I need to figure out where the cave meters are tapping into the house circuit and fix that problem. Does anyone know the best way to access that panel from behind?

When that's done, there are three more projects: a trim tab leak, the engine hatch ram (looks like it's dead and there are none available for a while), and mounting the antenna for better internet. Thanks to all for your help.

 

[batate]

Our boat is now officially loop ready. The last step was the generator service, and fixing the coolant leak from the water heater (loose hose). We're going to leave on Jan 15. There will be some cold nights, but not too many, before we get to warmer climates in Alabama/Florida. We'll keep folks posted.

 

[knotflying]

Leaving in January may be a little difficult doing the Gulf crossing. The winds start to come from the north and get stronger on a regular basis. Hence you may have to wait for a decent crossing window. Added to that will be the short daylight period. You will be doing a night crossing so you want to get out of the area with crab traps etc. before nightfall and then when you get to Tarpon Springs you want to be in daylight before entering crab trap territory. Just watch the weather and definitely buddy boat.

 

[batate]

Leaving in January may be a little difficult doing the Gulf crossing. The winds start to come from the north and get stronger on a regular basis. Hence you may have to wait for a decent crossing window. Added to that will be the short daylight period. You will be doing a night crossing so you want to get out of the area with crab traps etc. before nightfall and then when you get to Tarpon Springs you want to be in daylight before entering crab trap territory. Just watch the weather and definitely buddy boat.

Yes. We have a crossing buddy already. Hopefully two. No expectations. When the weather is safe, it's safe.

 

[rick.southard]

If you haven't discovered this yet:

http://www.marvsweather.com/mbw/report_link1.html

It was instrumental to our go/no go decisions on the loop.

Enjoy the loop there will be no end to good times!

 

[batate]

Closing the loop for posterity.

]
1. only house on,
- bank 1: no reading
- bank 2: 12.8 v
- bank 3: 12.8 v

...

To close the loop on this for anyone else having this problem, there was a blown inline fuse on a wire labeled "battery1" (red with magenta striping) that was the source of this problem. It was hooked to the + terminal on the starboard side battery in the middle row. Replaced the 3v fuse
and the meters are all working.