R-21 Electrical Problem

[markm]

Last night my R-21 went a little nuts. The radio, GPS and mast lights flickered and went out. My red and green lights worked, but the compass light went on and off. The mast light and foredeck light were both on, but at 20% power. They then both went off and stayed off. The panel with the key was making a squeeling sound, I turned the key off. Has anything like this every happened to anyone?

I am at a complete loss. My R-21 is five years old, and they only problem I have every had has been electrical problems, but this is by far the worse.

I was in the middle of Lake Coeur d' Alene and had to limp back blind and without proper lights. It was scarry.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

Mark 🙁

 

[walldog]

Check all battery connections. Remove clean and reinstall. Pay particular attention to the connection at the alternator. Good luck.

 

[j&lgray]

A general rule about 12 volt systems: 80% of the problems are caused by a bad ground connection

As you think about and plan your assessment, I would concentrate on the ground connections. One may be vibrated loose or was chafed or got badly corroded.