Ray Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 I haven't done the thermostat yet, so the new problems I've found today weren't caused by me at least. 1st on tickover for about 10 minutes the oil pressure looks high to me? 2nd the voltage meter said zero while running. I hadn't unplugged shore power but I don't think that makes any difference. The battery charger display usually says "Finished" but this time it was lit up as below. Is it me or am I looking at some sort of system failure or what do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 16, 2022 Author Share Posted March 16, 2022 The photos - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 10 minutes on tickover the oil will still be fairly cool so pressure will be higher, what's it supposed to run at? Normally oil pressures will be specified for a running temperature engine and will give a full rpm and idle pressure, when cold it will be higher. Volts will be a gauge or wiring issue if the engine was running and everything working fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 16, 2022 Author Share Posted March 16, 2022 Thanks Smoggy, I'll check the book for normal pressure, usually while cruising it reads about 2 bar On my way home from boat now.. I need a fresh look in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regulo Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 Don't forget your gauges are voltage devices. If you do have an electrical issue, that will affect the readings. Sort out whatever your electrical problem is first. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExSurveyor Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 Do you have a battery charger on the shore power, I did the same, run the engine whilst still charging from shore and alternator and melted some wires. I did have a smart change over thing that failed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mouldy Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 I’ve been told not to run the engine whilst on shore power by someone whom I trust. Sadly, I was told after I’d knackered an alternator, but I don’t know if that was coincidence or the reason. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 16, 2022 Author Share Posted March 16, 2022 25 minutes ago, ExSurveyor said: Do you have a battery charger on the shore power, I did the same, run the engine whilst still charging from shore and alternator and melted some wires. I did have a smart change over thing that failed. 15 minutes ago, Mouldy said: I’ve been told not to run the engine whilst on shore power by someone whom I trust. Sadly, I was told after I’d knackered an alternator, but I don’t know if that was coincidence or the reason. Well that is exactly what I have done sadly. Run the engine while on shore power with the battery charger on! So I guess I need to learn how to check the alternator now and is it possible I've done for the battery charger too? It's beginning to sound like an expensive lesson 🙁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesey69 Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 I run the engine with my smart charger on and all it does is ramp down the charge as it senses the state of the battery. But corrosion is a thing on exposed copper connections and easily dislodged when working in the engine bay. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 17, 2022 Author Share Posted March 17, 2022 Got to boat, switched off the battery charger, disconnected shore power and did a visual check for melted wires etc. Having started her up the voltage meter didn't move for a long few seconds and then came to life with a normal reading! Phew... I seem to have escaped disaster 👍 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 We always used to start our boat while it was still plugged into the shore power. It never caused any problems with that when we were on our home mooring. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 17, 2022 Author Share Posted March 17, 2022 Odd isn't it, there must be some potential for problems but not in every case or for every vessel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranworthbreeze Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 I would always remove the shore power prior to starting the engine. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 An auto battery charger should only output according to the detected voltage same as an alternator so by rights if anything one or both should output nothing as the volts are at top level, I guess starter cranking amps could overload a charger if the batteries are duff but it should really be fused to protect from this as it's a very likely scenario and probably quite common. If you have solar panels they would still be hooked up when running. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY littleboat Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 20 minutes ago, ranworthbreeze said: I would always remove the shore power prior to starting the engine. Yep leaving it conected is a sure fire way of making many of the early sterling (Actually rebadged products) go pop! although alot of up market chargers such as Vitron etc dont seem to suffer this prob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 I had an old fairly cheapo sterling charger on my old boat with it running and it was ok, I know the shore power was plugged in because I was part way to the fuel staging when I realised what people were pointing and shouting at then the lead went twang and overtook me, yep it was definately still plugged in.... It gave up in the end when I had a water leak and the charger was laying under it while plugged in, that finished it big time. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairTmiddlin Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 4 minutes ago, Smoggy said: It gave up in the end when I had a water leak and the charger was laying under it while plugged in, that finished it big time. You mean you found the formulae for magic smoke. I'd patent that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 Magic smoke is how all electronic things work, once you let it out they stop playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairTmiddlin Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 But if you know the formulae you can catch it and replenish the Electronics resurrecting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selsie Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 Have to say Ray, We have a Chinese 'Sterling' Charger on Luna, its been fine for 3 years an still going strong. If we are plugged in to 240 shore power and start the engine the charger just goes to phase 7 (end) and the alternator takes over. Had no issues at all with running while on 240v. Cheers Selsie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 17, 2022 Author Share Posted March 17, 2022 Thanks Selsie, that sounds pretty much how I would have hoped it worked. Something odd happened with Keleka, the charger showed a fault and the voltage instrument on the dashboard registered nothing. Turning it all off and back on again seems to have reset everything and at the moment it looks good with no issues. Maybe something in my setup is sensitive but if it means not starting the engine while on shore power I can live with that 👍 The water temp guage, also not registering confused the issue. A new thermostat going in should hopefully prove that to be a coincidence rather than part of a bigger electrics problem 🤞 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 With 2 gauges playing up it sounds like you have a loose connection somewhere. Even if both alternator and charger gave up you would still have voltage there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 17, 2022 Author Share Posted March 17, 2022 Good thought, I'll do a thorough check and see what turns up 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Hi Ray Oil pressure is checked at normal operating temp see manufacturers spec's. obviously a old worn engine may not reach these. rule of thumb at tick over min of 5lb to 10 lbs running 35lbs.time to worry is when it suddenly changes, a volt meter wont work if not connected to battery supply, the connections a pron to corrosion and as they need very little currant can stop working correctly if connections corrode. check all connections and remake if necessary and dip bare wire in Vaseline before crimping to stop corrosion and dip spade connection's in Vaseline before reconnecting to switch/gauge/fuse block. John 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 Great information and advice as ever John, many thanks 🍺 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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