Batteries Aren't Charging - Help!

[witzgall]

All, we have been out cruising for a week or so. Last thursday, we could not start engine while at anchor. We shorted the solinoid to get her started,but the trouble was that the heat exchanger waas leaking onto the solinoid. Got into oriental, marine fixed leaks. We also replaced the starter with a reman. Enigine won't start unless we short new solinoid. We also tried replacing a relay in the circuit. Nada. So we said screw it, we are on our vacation, so we left the yard that did the work early this morning. The batteries, which were fully topped off, are not getting a charge. Wires into alternator look ok. No juice at the switch panel. Will this stop charging? Love some help, we are now anchored in Beaufort, nc.

Chris

[jdoe71]

Depends on how your engine's wired, but with ours the way it came from the factory the alternator field was powered off the line that also powered the panel. So no panel power, no alternator output. There usually is a fuse or breaker on the line to the panel, I'd hunt that down and see if it is blown. With our boat there are two of them and either of them blowing would shut everything down. Might help to post more details about what your engine is someone may have a better idea. Good luck.

[GordMay]

Contact:
Offshore Marine Electric @ (252) 504-2624
or
Jim Flynt at Core Creek Marine @ (252) 728 7358