|
|
10-06-2017, 04:53 PM
|
#1
|
Veteran Member
City: Chula Vista, Ca
Vessel Name: Curly Sez Wow
Vessel Model: Gulf Star
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 81
|
Starting engine blows breaker
We have a 1978 '44 Gulfstar twin engine Perkins. Recently starboard starter circuit breaker blows whenever starboard engine started. Will not restart until circuit breaker re-set by hand. Our mechanic has traced every wire, replaced starter, solenoid, disconnected every related electric device, reset breaker both with engine running and not running but no luck, start engine, breaker blows. Any ideas?
Thanks for all (or any) suggestions.
Jim H.
|
|
|
10-06-2017, 04:57 PM
|
#2
|
TF Site Team
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,671
|
Does the starting circuit go through the neutral switch on the running gear? There may be a relay in the circuit, a Bosch type, that has failed.
|
|
|
10-06-2017, 05:03 PM
|
#3
|
Veteran Member
City: Chula Vista, Ca
Vessel Name: Curly Sez Wow
Vessel Model: Gulf Star
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 81
|
Thank you Larry M. We are checking that out right now.
|
|
|
10-06-2017, 05:06 PM
|
#4
|
Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,869
|
I suggest a new mechanic. If he can't figure it out in person, it's going to be pretty hard to figure it out on the Internet.
BTW: I hope he didn't make you pay for the new parts that didn't cure the problem.
|
|
|
10-06-2017, 05:25 PM
|
#5
|
Guru
City: Quebec
Vessel Name: Bleuvet
Vessel Model: Custom Built
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,374
|
Stupid question but did you try to change the breaker itself?
L
|
|
|
10-06-2017, 05:27 PM
|
#6
|
Guru
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,759
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou_tribal
Stupid question but did you try to change the breaker itself?
L
|
+ 1
__________________
Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
|
|
|
10-06-2017, 06:13 PM
|
#7
|
Guru
City: Between Oregon and Alaska
Vessel Name: Charlie Harper
Vessel Model: Wheeler Shipyard 83'
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,021
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou_tribal
Stupid question but did you try to change the breaker itself?
L
|
Exactly. When breakers get old or have tripped several times they get weak and trip at lower amps.
Switch the breakers between the engines.
|
|
|
10-06-2017, 09:32 PM
|
#8
|
Guru
City: Pender Harbour, BC
Vessel Name: Gwaii Haanas
Vessel Model: Custom Aluminum 52
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,791
|
What exactly in the starter circuit has a breaker? The starter to battery connection should not have a breaker. The starter-to-solenoid is probably all that’s fused. Have you tried starting it by eliminating the stater switch? Is it a push-button or a key-type switch? Does it have any other circuits that become live when you turn the key? Need more info.
If we fix it, you better give the money that you would have paid the “mechanic” to hurricane relief!
__________________
Don't believe everything that you think.
|
|
|
10-07-2017, 01:31 AM
|
#9
|
Guru
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: AZZURRA
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 54
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,281
|
As xsbank said. It would not be normal to have over current protection between the battery and the starter.
|
|
|
10-07-2017, 06:23 AM
|
#10
|
Guru
City: Kilmarnock VA
Vessel Name: Wandering Star
Vessel Model: PSN40
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,393
|
Jim, be sure to check your ground connection points on the block. A loose ground will drive the amperage draw up & cause the breaker to open.
__________________
-Shawn-
|
|
|
10-07-2017, 06:46 AM
|
#11
|
Guru
City: Cape May, NJ
Vessel Name: Irish Lady
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,947
|
This is the exact reason cruisers should have a clamp-on DC Ammeter in their toolbox. It will tell you if the breaker is tripping false or due to a real fault.
The breaker is to power the control, alarm, and gauge circuits.
__________________
Archie
Irish Lady
1984 Monk 36 Hull #46
Currently in Cape May, NJ
|
|
|
10-07-2017, 06:50 AM
|
#12
|
Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,869
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by boomerang
Jim, be sure to check your ground connection points on the block. A loose ground will drive the amperage draw up & cause the breaker to open.
|
Nope, not correct.
|
|
|
10-07-2017, 06:51 AM
|
#13
|
Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,869
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by High Wire
This is the exact reason cruisers should have a clamp-on DC Ammeter in their toolbox. It will tell you if the breaker is tripping false or due to a real fault.
The breaker is to power the control, alarm, and gauge circuits.
|
It's a reason a "mechanic" should have a meter in his tool box. This guy is not trying to fix it himself, he is paying someone who calls himself a mechanic to fix it.
|
|
|
10-07-2017, 07:17 AM
|
#14
|
TF Site Team
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,671
|
Here’s an example of fused circuit with a rely.
|
|
|
10-07-2017, 10:43 AM
|
#15
|
Guru
City: Pender Harbour, BC
Vessel Name: Gwaii Haanas
Vessel Model: Custom Aluminum 52
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,791
|
That diagram doesn’t make any sense to me - what’s the point of that other, smaller solenoid?
__________________
Don't believe everything that you think.
|
|
|
10-07-2017, 11:05 AM
|
#16
|
Guru
City: Walnut Grove Ca
Vessel Name: Cary'D Away
Vessel Model: Hatteras 48 LRC
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 887
|
Neutral safety switch
Neutral safety switch controls relay.
|
|
|
10-07-2017, 12:09 PM
|
#17
|
Guru
City: League City, TX
Vessel Name: Pelago
Vessel Model: Wellcraft 3300 Coastal
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,069
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xsbank
That diagram doesn’t make any sense to me - what’s the point of that other, smaller solenoid?
|
Actually, this additional relay/solenoid in starter circuits is very common. It has many names: aux. mag. switch, aux. starter relay, remote starter relay, Ford solenoid and others. Its purpose is to provide more current to the starter solenoid.
With this relay installed, a very small current from the starter/ignition switch contacts can activate the starter solenoid, which on larger starters can be substantial.
Here is a Perkins wiring diagram that shows the relay as an 'optional relay'.
A fuse or circuit breaker when fitted will be located somewhere between the battery and the ignition switch. Cummins B-Series diesels I have owned had 10A engine-mounted breakers, and were referenced in the troubleshooting section of the owners manuals relating to starting.
I agree with other posters, check the circuit breaker as they can definitely fail and become 'weaker' with age.
__________________
Larry
M/V Pelago
|
|
|
10-08-2017, 06:44 PM
|
#18
|
Guru
City: kemah
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,135
|
Yeh so when I disconnect the power lead from the battery to the starter on my genny, and forget to reconnect it, I blow the breaker every time when trying to crank it.
Try looking for a poor battery to starter connection.
|
|
|
10-08-2017, 08:39 PM
|
#19
|
Guru
City: West Coast
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,789
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tiltrider1
As xsbank said. It would not be normal to have over current protection between the battery and the starter.
|
Really? Every electron coming out of my batteries goes through a fuse of some sort. And wouldn't it be extremely dangerous not to limit the current to the wiring capacity? I must be missing something.
And to the OP, if voltage goes down (for example, by reduced battery capacity), amperage will often go up, sometimes to the point of blowing a fuse / circuit breaker that would not have popped with proper voltage.
|
|
|
10-08-2017, 11:33 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
City: Cape Cod, MA or Fort Myers, FL
Vessel Name: Osprey
Vessel Model: Her Shine. Newburyport
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 389
|
My starter was blowing a fuse when starting, turned out to be the one year old 8d battery. It took a few mechanics figure it out, i was tool it tested fine....... twice....
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Trawler Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|