12 volt issues

PQ280SC · 09-10-2009, 03:54 PM

Anyone ever have a problem with the DC panel? I'm having trouble with the refer when at anchor running on the battery. Just put a new battery in and the refer runs fine when the engine is running or on AC. It seems like I'm experiencing a voltage drop which in turn causes the fridge to stop running. Sometimes the lights on the DC panel won't come on when I turn on the fridge or fresh water,etc. Which is why I'm questioning the DC panel. I thought maybe my stereo was effecting the voltage, so I have isolated the DC panel from the stereo amps. Oddly enough, I can still see the volt meter on the panel "dance" to the music, and I can't figure out why. It's much less now that I've isolated the amps, but I don't think it should move at all if the amps are truly isolated. Any suggestions?

Rock Star · 09-11-2009, 07:48 AM

Throughout the PQ Forum you will find many post on wiring / power drop issues, the wiring isn’t the best. I had similar issues with my 290 Enticer, so I ended up running a new heavy gauge wire off the battery switch into a fused distribution block under the back seat. From there I ran new heavy gauge wire (+&-) to the refrigerator…problem solved. The only other issue I continue to see is the gauges bouncing around from time to time, so I’m going to run a new heavy gauge ground wire to the terminal under the dash.

PQ280SC · 09-12-2009, 05:32 PM

Thanks Rock Star. I'll break out the volt meter and investigate. If I remember correctly, the 12v supply between the battery switch and the panel wasn't a very large gauge, so that's the most likely culprit. I also seem to remeber thinking that the jumpers between the switches looked a little light weight as well.

One other mystery I haven't solved yet is the alternator connection. My stb. battery only has one connection on the positive terminal, which feeds the battery switch. Where do they connect the alternator output?? My switches are on the port side, so it doesn't seem to make much sense that the stb. engine alternator output would be routed to the port side of the boat when the battery is right there. I know the system is designed so that you can start either engine from either battery, but I don't think the alternators are set up in the same way. It seems to me that the stb. alternator should always and only charge the stb. battery. Is that correct?

speedreeder · 09-13-2009, 07:20 PM

Your alt. 12 volt wire goes to your main starter post. The charging voltage goes through the battery switch.