R21 "Classic" (not EC) Electrical Questions

[Aintso]

Hi,

I have recently purchased an 2003 R21. I love this boat. This is my first power boat so I face a bit of a learning curve and am looking forward to it. I am grateful to the participants on this forum as I have learned much through their past experience.

The electrical system in particular is an area where I could use some specific information from the factory as to how my boat was initially setup.

I have hull number FMLR2103E203 with the 27hp Yanmar option. Located in the Starboard locker in the pilot house (between your knee and your hip if at the throttle) is a Guest switch with Off, 1 Both, 2.

Through reading the posts, I have gained that Ranger changed the way of setting these up at least a couple of times. Also, if my deductions are correct, I run the risk of blowing diodes in the alternator if this is used incorrectly.

I would like to install a battery charger to be sure that the bilge pump has power available and that the house and starting batteries are up when I am ready to use the boat. Detailed knowledge of how it is currently setup will be helpful.

Proper "switch-ology" for daily use with the current setup would help. I will upload some pictures of the switch and area around the switch. Related question, what is the black Guest box with the red leads going into it aft (to the right in the pic) of the Orange Guest Off, 1, Both ,2 Switch.



I propose that in order to avoid confusion with the newer R21ECs that we call the Pre EC the R21 Classic. Many R21EC owners use the generic R21 when speaking about their boat and it makes searching the forums a little more difficult when looking for info on R21-(Not EC).

 

[ron cowan]

Dave,
The Guest black box was the battery charger they used on the 2006 {pre EC) tug. The #1 battery is the starting battery and is wired straight to the starter on the engine without going first to the 1/2 switch. You can start the engine even with the 1/2 switch on off. The # 1 battery is then also wired to the 1/2 switch so it can tie with the # 2 (house battery) if the #1 was down. The #2 is tied to the 1/2 switch and then to all other electrical. this !/2 switch must be on to have power to everything else. The Guest charger is only wired to the #2 (house ) battery. Both batteries are charged by the alternator when running . I usually started the engine and then switched the 1/2 switch to 2 or both. You just do not want to switch the 1/2 switch to off while the engine in running. I think the EC's are protected from this but don't know about yours. The #1 battery is not pulled down much to start the engine so the alternator brings it back up quickly but you may take the #2 battery down a lot running house items so they put the onboard charger to it to bring it back up to full charge. You can buy a tester at Walamrt for about $10 to plug in your lighter socket and keep an eye on the battery charge condition.
Good luck with the Tug. Ron

 

[Aintso]

THAT'S IT RON!!!!!

I forbid you from selling your Ranger. I hate to have to do that but someone had to.

OK, I think I with you on the switch description and usage. A question though. If my battery 1 (start battery) is dead (or very low), wouldn't I rather select 2 than both. If I have 2 identical batteries in parallel and one is fully charged at 12.99 volts and the other is kind of flat at say 7 volts, I thought that the resultant bus voltage would be between the two. It seems I would rather crank the engine from BATT 2 only and get the full 12v. I do not believe the current switch-ology allows for that if I understand you correctly.

Thanks Again

 

[ron cowan]

Sounds correct although I can't remember if I tried to start off the #2 position or not. Can't remember if the buss main ties back to the engine or not which would allow a start on #2. This is part of the fun, chasing back what you really have. My intention was to make a good electrical diagram of what was actually there. You know what happens to intentions. There are a number of type chargers you can buy for multi. batteries and ways to hook up. Andrew at Ranger convinced me that the way mine was made sence with the use I had. All the systems are fairly simple and work good once you understand what you have and what is intended. I just did not understand when I almost got in trouble with the stuffing box. Moving the batteries made it a non-event to check and maintain.
Ron

 

[Higs]

My sailboat has a similar system. I always keep it on two, unless for some reason that battery gets to low to start the motor, than I switch to one, start the motor; than switch back to two.

 

[Aintso]

Hi Higgs,

Will your sailboat start with the switch in the off position?