My Newbie Mistake
Those who have and those who will
So for my fourth project of the trip with dad, I became a detective to try and find out why the voltages on each leg of the breaker panel are not equal while the generator is running. My starting point was to open up the electrical panel on the generator and check the output voltages as they come out of the generator itself. A dozen or so screws later, I can get to the connections, and I crank the generator and start checking. The voltage on each leg is perfect. About this time, I am pondering my next step, and the generator shuts down. Clueless, I go back to the gauges and see the water temp is 220 degrees where it should be less than 200 degrees. Instantly I knew I had not opened the through-hull valve allowing the generator to pump its cooling water.
I have been very diligent to close the through-hull valves when leaving the boat as I do not want her to develop a leak and sink at the dock while no one is there.
The cooling water is supplied by a pump on the engine that has rubber vanes in it. Without the water to cool them, they became very hot and broke off. Here is where I tell you about the great previous owners of this boat with the spare parts. I was able to find not one but three new impeller kits. After letting the engine cool down for a while, I was able to pick out all the old vanes and install the new impeller.
Now back to the electrical story. I have perfect voltage at the generator, less than great at the breaker panel, so I start thinking it is corrosion resistance in the service wire. As I start to remove the service wire from the generator I notice a small #12 jumper wire between two of the four terminals. This jumper wire is tying the two neutrals together. So I have a #8 wire, (capable of carrying 25 amps), going to the hot “A” bus. However, the neutral is restricted by this small jumper wire. I will swap the jumper wire out to a number 8 and hopefully, my problem is resolved. Stay tuned.
