ACR and switches question

[mikesparker]

Hello! I've got a Carver 3227 and my house batteries aren't being charged by my engines...only by shore power AC or by my portable generator. The old girl has twin Crusaders, 2 starting batteries (connected by a 1/2/ALL Perko selector switch) and a (4) 6V battery bank for house. There are 2 Blue Sea Dual Circuit switches and 2 ACRs. I don't know at the moment if they're the Plus switches or not...don't think so. I know that the Perko switch for the starting batteries allows me to choose which starting battery to use (or combine them). What I'm not sure about is the function of the two Dual Circuit switches. Right now, one is ON and the other is OFF. The previous owner was not helpful at all with info on operating the various systems and just told me that he'd never touched those two Dual Circuit switches. If I'm reading what I'm finding correctly, should I leave both of the Dual Circuit switches in the "ON" position? Isn't that kinda the whole idea behind the ACRs?

[vineyardgray]

It is incredibly difficult for us to troubleshoot an electrical system remotely and only by a brief write-up.

The wiring on my boat was a head-scratcher as well and I finally just had to pull out the multi-meter and dig into it.

I'm not certain why they would have added two blue-seas ACR switches to your boat, but they can be used for a variety of applications.

The non-charging situation could just as easily be from someone switching the on-off-all switch while the engines were running and blowing the diodes of the alternators. hopefully that isnt the case.

some pictures might help?

[mikesparker]

Ya know, I think that Perko 1/2/ALL switch may have been switched while running...damn...

[km1125]

If your engine batteries are still being charged by the motors, then you didn't damage the alternators. Check the voltage on the helm while each engine is running (only run one at a time) and see what the battery voltage are. If they are >12.8 or so when running either engine then your alternators are OK. You can typically switch the PERKO from 1 to all to 2 or back, just NOT to "off" when the engines are running.

You will need to map out the wiring, because there are 100 ways to interconnect stuff and folks will do it differently for a variety of reasons. If you can trace some of the wires and draw a simple diagram we might be able to help much more.

[mikesparker]

That's good news. The engine batteries are being charged. I'll map out the system ASAP. Thanks!

[km1125]

On the ACRs, check that the ground connection is good. If there's a fuse or breaker in that circuit (would only be a small fuse or breaker) then make sure they are good too. Sometimes during winterization those are removed so that there is no drain from the ACR monitoring circuit while the boat is laid up. It's a very, very small current, but over months it adds up.

Do either of the ACRs have lights on them when the engine(s) are running?

[mikesparker]

I’ll find out when i get home in 2 days...

[Viper]

I'd still be careful with switching that Perko from one bank to another unless you're absolutely sure it's a "make before break" design. While that's the norm in later production, it's questionable for your vintage if it's original.

[mikesparker]

Couldn't find a fuse except for the large one between coming from the inverter and the house bank.

There are no lights in the ACRs when the engines are running.

I've got some pics of the wiring to the back of the ACRs and switches that I'll have to edit and post later this evening.

Also noticed that my #2 starting battery isn't getting charged with shore power, but #1 starting and house bank are.

Source of the post On the ACRs, check that the ground connection is good. If there's a fuse or breaker in that circuit (would only be a small fuse or breaker) then make sure they are good too. Sometimes during winterization those are removed so that there is no drain from the ACR monitoring circuit while the boat is laid up. It's a very, very small current, but over months it adds up.

Do either of the ACRs have lights on them when the engine(s) are running?

[mikesparker]

Starting battery 1 has good voltage with either engine running. Battery 2 isn't registering at all and won't even click the starter solenoid. Strange.