No Power to Main DC Distribution Panel— R27

C

CaspersCruiser

Well-known member
Joined
May 11, 2016
Messages
923
Fluid Motion Model
R-27 Classic
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2709G112
Vessel Name
Cookie
MMSI Number
368203460
It’s been a couple of red letter days on Ranger Tug “Cookie”. When the thruster battery switch was turned on a few days ago, the bow thruster started running without command. To isolate it, today I disconnected the bow thruster by removing its 150 amp fuse below the thruster battery switch.

After I did that, there was no power at the Main DC Distribution Panel at the helm or to the Dash Fuse Block. I reinstalled the bow thruster fuse, but there continued to be no power to the DC Distribution Panel. The voltmeter at the DC Distribution Panel indicates normal battery voltage on all three battery banks, but no power is present at the DC Distribution Panel or Dash Fuse Block. When I removed the bow thruster fuse, there was no sort of arcing or electrical distress. I have no clue as to the relationship between the two events. DC power is available to the cabin overhead lights and lamps over the dinette so some DC power is getting out from the batteries. The AC Distribution Panel is operating normally via shore power.

From my study of the wiring schematic, it seems the common point of failure here is a 100 amp fuse between the House battery switch and the Main DC Switch Panel. Can anyone tell me where this 100 amp fuse is located? Does anyone have a clue as to the relationship between removing the bow thruster fuse and no power to the Main DC Distribution Panel?
 
I believe what you're seeing as a 100A fuse on the schematic is a circuit breaker. In the older boats it's located in the generator compartment just forward of the thruster switch. It has a button that opens the breaker. It is possible that it got bumped when fussing around with the thruster fuse etc.
 
OK, I found the circuit breaker. I got nowhere near it when removing the thruster fuse.

I tried to reset the circuit breaker by pushing the red switch, but no joy. Still no power to the Main DC Power Panel. What’s next?
 
CaspersCruiser":1nxku2q8 said:
OK, I found the circuit breaker. I got nowhere near it when removing the thruster fuse.

I tried to reset the circuit breaker by pushing the red switch, but no joy. Still no power to the Main DC Power Panel. What’s next?
Click to expand...
The red switch trips it. You have to push the sliding lever(yellow in knotflying's attached pic/black on my boat) till it latches.
 
Got it. I’m flying this afternoon so I’ll check it in the morning. Obviously I’ve not dealt with this particular style of breaker.
 
CaspersCruiser":2xcln67x said:
Got it. I’m flying this afternoon so I’ll check it in the morning. Obviously I’ve not dealt with this particular style of breaker.
Click to expand...
They are fairly unique. I recall being confused the first time I ran across one. Hope that's all it is. Be safe.
 
After I got back from my trip tonight, I went by the marina and reset the breaker. That, I am happy to say, solved the power issue. That is one peculiar breaker configuration and in a bad spot. When I was removing the bow thruster fuse no tools got close to the breaker, but I moved some spare bottles of oil etc. stored near it and I must have bumped the red switch. I’m surprised that hasn’t happened before. Thanks everybody for your replies. They solved the problem.
 
Searching for answers to problems is one reason I appreciate Tugnuts. I had no House power when I went out today and found my answer in this thread. Thanks, folks.

For R23 owners, if your boat is like mine, the inverter and house breaker are next to each other in the battery lazarrette. The inverter breaker had the yellow lever like in the link and was easy to see. The house breaker had the red button but the lever was below and was black. Very difficult to see. I reset it and the house is back working.

Now, wondering why it tripped. I did a hard slam in waves last time out. Hope no wires are crossed.
 
I got bit by those breakers when we got our 31CB.
Thought red was reset, found out it trips, raising yellow resets.
 
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