a/c electric panel red light flashing "pilot"

[davil]

connected to 110 at the dock,did not have this before,on leaving today noted red flashing light on the pilot warning flashing button ????
DC is off,as only use it to charge batteries and run the fridge,just sudden.
there is another warning light for reverse polarity, does not flash

[a64pilot]

No idea, maybe a picture.
I can’t imagine what a pilot button could be much less why it would flash

[davil]

tomorrow will take a pic but not sure will add much really.
Is a Cape Dory original panel,has a left sub panel DC andthen a right Subpanel A/C with several vertical switches with their light buttons
First switch turns outlets with this A/C pilot blinking light?
the following switches downstream are fridge,then charger,reverse polarity (that is ok non blinking) and the last power off/on.
Friend just thought may be alerting the 110 is connected ? and could easily be no other visible signs of problems,I checked polarity and is ok.
Battery charger on and charging,fridge cooling.

[osprey877]

My A/C panel has two shore power modes: 1. A/C supplied to both the battery charger and the A/C panel (plugs, water heater etc.). In this mode, the red A/C light blinks. 2. A/C supplied to panel but not to battery charger. Red A/C light does not blink in this mode.


Perhaps you have some variation of this system??

[davil]

Originally Posted by osprey877

My A/C panel has two shore power modes: 1. A/C supplied to both the battery charger and the A/C panel (plugs, water heater etc.). In this mode, the red A/C light blinks. 2. A/C supplied to panel but not to battery charger. Red A/C light does not blink in this mode.


Perhaps you have some variation of this system??

thank you very much
yes has to be along those lines as I cannot find any obvious thing wrong with the electric system.
Need to go back and play the switches/

[davil]

Well the plot thickens during the night dock breakers on the 110 blew and have to reset,power coming in,boat panel is fine,no blinking lights and have the battery charger and outlets with a household fan going,also the fridge working.
Now the dock breakers go off all the time with other boats,nothing new there.

[Sailmonkey]

The pilot light is just simply an indicator that AC power is present. It should illuminate at any time the boat is connected to shore power of appropriate voltage.

[davil]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

The pilot light is just simply an indicator that AC power is present. It should illuminate at any time the boat is connected to shore power of appropriate voltage.

right
however you are looking at the photo where the power is present and the light is off.
Perhaps the light is either dying or the connection might be loose?
But if the indicator is just that,an indicating power is active,is fine,I know is present as the charger and fridge are working as well as the outlets.

[Hartleyg]

That "AC Pilot" light is probably a neon bulb, which do NOT last forever. Odds are it was going out when it was flashing, and it's dead now (it'll be intermittent depending on temperature and AC voltage for a while before it dies completely). Replacement light shouldn't be expensive.


Hartley
S/V Atsa

[a64pilot]

Never heard of an AC pilot light though, interesting name for a power on indicator lamp.
Picture makes it clear that it what it is though. I bet it’s a light bulb going bad too, but flickering could suggest a loose connection, and blowing CB’s support that. I’d check to be sure the wire connections are clean and tight, just in case.

[vonchris7]

I have a 1981 Cape Dory 36 and it does the same thing. I think as mentioned above there's nothing wrong, just a worn out bulb.

[Mithril Bham]

Polarity?
Probably not.

[a64pilot]

Your lamp test switch should tell you if it’s a bulb or not, if it tests several times and glows solid for each test, it may not be a bulb.

[davil]

thank you all
excellent suggestions,need to get over the heat wave and do the right thing,this is a new (for me) old boat and one of the projects is to make the panel accessible,need to add a frame and install hinges,as of today is the original install mounted with screws.
But I believe is either the bulb or the connections as there are no other symptoms.
Was at a loss as never heard about "pilot" so I learned some thing new,
Going to work in the boat now at 6 and quit at 10 as becomes umberable the heat.
Thank you all again for taking the time.

[Stu Jackson]

Those neon lamps on incoming AC sometimes do either flicker or not work when dockside power voltage is low.