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Power line 1 showing zero on the voltmeter
Posted: March 21st, 2017, 8:00 pm
by Helmsman
Ok. I have a carver 33 SS 2006. It has 2 30 amp service inlets for AC power. One of the inlets powers line 1 which has the battery chargers, the outlets, microwave, stove top, etc. the other (power line 2) powers the AC units.
Today, while on shore power, I heated something up in the microwave. I noticed it didn't finish and the microwave had no power. When I went to the breaker panel. I noticed the voltmeter for power line 1 registered zero. I checked the hookups. The 50 amp service on our dock is connected to a pigtail for 2 30 amp lines that service the 2 inlets. I reversed the wires at both the pigtails and the boat power service inlets in sequence, but the voltmeter never registered power for power line 1 but always did for power line 2.
When I cut the power to the shore and started the generator, the voltmeter for power line 1 and power line 2 registered 110 normally!
Any thoughts on where to look or what it may be? I looked for a fuse because the carver manual wiring diagram showed what appeared to be a 30 amp fuse though it may have just been the way they show the service inlet. Couldn't find a fuse. In fact, couldn't see where the wires for the two inlets entered the boat from the stern.
I suspect the inlet connection itself. Any other thoughts?
Thanks for any help you can give.
Re: Power line 1 showing zero on the voltmeter
Posted: March 21st, 2017, 8:34 pm
by tomschauer
You are on the wright track. Not sure about your boat, but I have breakers adjacent to the power inlets. Check that if you have em, if not pull that inlet and look the wires. If they look "toasty", cut them install new crimps and reattach.
Re: Power line 1 showing zero on the voltmeter
Posted: March 21st, 2017, 8:39 pm
by Viper
That's probably the case. If you see any discolouration around any of the contacts in the inlet, it has overheated and likely the culprit. Some vessels also have breakers in close proximity to the inlets that would trip under the right circumstances.
Everyone should carry on board a non contact AC voltage detector. With this, you can check for the presence of voltage without actually touching contacts. If you can get behind the inlet, touch the cable with the probe to check for voltage. If it doesn't sound off, then the problem is at the inlet end. If it does sound off, then the problem is between the inlet and into the AC breaker panel.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=inductive+voltage+checker&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj2pLrL7ejSAhUm34MKHeUFA9UQ_AUIBigB&biw=1268&bih=610#imgrc=ROr07qJVJbI24M:Don't know how yours is set up. Some are manually switched from ship to shore while others have relays that switch automatically when the genny is fired up. If that's the case, it could be a faulty relay.
Re: Power line 1 showing zero on the voltmeter
Posted: March 22nd, 2017, 6:19 am
by Helmsman
Viper wrote:Source of the post That's probably the case. If you see any discolouration around any of the contacts in the inlet, it has overheated and likely the culprit. Some vessels also have breakers in close proximity to the inlets that would trip under the right circumstances.
Everyone should carry on board a non contact AC voltage detector. With this, you can check for the presence of voltage without actually touching contacts. If you can get behind the inlet, touch the cable with the probe to check for voltage. If it doesn't sound off, then the problem is at the inlet end. If it does sound off, then the problem is between the inlet and into the AC breaker panel.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=inductive+voltage+checker&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj2pLrL7ejSAhUm34MKHeUFA9UQ_AUIBigB&biw=1268&bih=610#imgrc=ROr07qJVJbI24M:Don't know how yours is set up. Some are manually switched from ship to shore while others have relays that switch automatically when the genny is fired up. If that's the case, it could be a faulty relay.
Thanks. I will do a voltage check. We lost house power here last night and still don't have it back. May be tomorrow before I can check it again. Any idea where to look for the relay? I am assuming it would be close to the power box. I might try to trace the generator power back towards the box and look for where it joins to the shore power wire. Hope I have slack at the shore power inlet box.
Re: Power line 1 showing zero on the voltmeter
Posted: March 22nd, 2017, 7:38 am
by Viper
It will be behind the panel. So yours switch over automatically when you turn on the generator? Do you hear a relay rattle when you turn the genny on? That's the relay transferring from one input to the other.
Re: Power line 1 showing zero on the voltmeter
Posted: March 22nd, 2017, 8:54 am
by Helmsman
Viper wrote:Source of the post It will be behind the panel. So yours switch over automatically when you turn on the generator? Do you hear a relay rattle when you turn the genny on? That's the relay transferring from one input to the other.
Yes I do hear the rattle. Ok, I will continue to look for a breaker between the inlet and the relay. The problem is that I can't see the wire coming out of the transom below the inlet in order to trace. It must run along the transom interior and on to the relay.
Re: Power line 1 showing zero on the voltmeter
Posted: March 22nd, 2017, 9:22 am
by bud37
Have a look in your port aft cockpit locker....is there not some breakers in there???? Maybe some square looking covers .
Re: Power line 1 showing zero on the voltmeter
Posted: March 22nd, 2017, 10:07 am
by Helmsman
Nharrison5 wrote:Source of the post Viper wrote:Source of the post It will be behind the panel. So yours switch over automatically when you turn on the generator? Do you hear a relay rattle when you turn the genny on? That's the relay transferring from one input to the other.
Ok. Found the breaker! And it was tripped. Thanks for all of your help. This forum is extremely helpful to us newbies!
Yes I do hear the rattle. Ok, I will continue to look for a breaker between the inlet and the relay. The problem is that I can't see the wire coming out of the transom below the inlet in order to trace. It must run along the transom interior and on to the relay.
Re: Power line 1 showing zero on the voltmeter
Posted: March 22nd, 2017, 6:52 pm
by Viper
Glad it worked out
Re: Power line 1 showing zero on the voltmeter
Posted: March 22nd, 2017, 8:29 pm
by Helmsman
bud37 wrote:Source of the post Have a look in your port aft cockpit locker....is there not some breakers in there???? Maybe some square looking covers .
Thanks Bud! They were in the locker just where you said to look. I thought I needed to look below the transom.
