Electrical Problem


B

brandonb2021

New member
Hi,

We have a 2019 Formula 37 PC that is have some electrical issues. Our generator will not stay on, on the screen it says coolant loss fault. When off of shore power for a few hours the lights get dim. Our windless also does not work on or off of shore power. I turn on the windless from the helm but when you push the up or down buttons from the helm or the bow nothing happens, not even a click. We winterized the boat but never got around to having it summerized. We are at the boat this weekend and we rarely get to use it but any help would be greatly apprecitated.

Thanks in advance.
 
I believe there is a breaker in the engine room for the windlass. Are you sure you have the switch on the dash for windlass/thruster turned on?
Your lights are probably getting dim because your batteries are low. You will need to check voltage at the batteries with nothing running and no shore power on, then turn on shore power and re-test. Should be at least 12.6 with no shore power or engines and 13.9 or higher with shore power on. How old are the batteries? If they are original, I would replace them as 3-5 years is about all you get out of them.
Generator error means loss of coolant. Have you checked to ensure that the system is full? Remove the cap and physically check the system and also the overflow bottle.
 
We solved the windless issue, the bow battery was switched off. Do you know where the generator coolant valve would be? I think during winterization it was switched off.
 
Gens should have a thru hull fitting to bring in raw water thru a sea strainer. Is ball valve open?
 
Yes, as AllDodge said, make sure that the ball valve is open. If you've been trying to run it and the ball valve has been closed, you may need to change out the impeller at this point as well. Also, whenever you start the generator, you should always make sure that you see water coming out the exhaust port wherever your may be emptying. Mine empties on the starboard side
 
Yes we found the thru hall valve and it was closed, that was the problem. The generator only ran for about a minute and shut off whenever we first discovered the problem so I think the impeller should be fine. Thank you guys for all your help. How would you go about cleaning the fresh water tank? We got all of the anti freeze out but the water still has a smell.
 
You don't state which generator you have. However, on my Kohler, on the back of the heat exchanger is a pressure switch. It's located on the end cap, but in the lower quadrant of said end cap. Because it's on the lower part it tends to plug up. To test you can unplug the sensor, see if the gen continues to run. If that's the problem remove the sensor clean it and also clean out the end cap. ( I used a screw driver to push out the solids). On my 34 PC this is kind of a blind job, as the gen sits against the bulkhead opposite the engines. I have to take the exhaust apart to get back there. Once you've done it once, it's not too bad, just a little warm this time of year. Hope this helps. (Note: There's also a flow switch back there that can hang up, clean this while you're at it.).
 
Glad you found the problem. I would still inspect/replace the impeller as it may have run dry and ruined the rubber blades.
 
@brandonb2021 - re: your fresh water tank, I would suggest never putting antifreeze in there even the "safe" antifreeze. At the end of the season, I just empty my tank and then put a shop vac through the inspection port to get the remaining gallon or so of water out. I only put antifreeze in the lines and do so by putting the pickup line with some additional hose that I connect to it into a 5 gallon bucket that I fill with antifreeze. In the spring I hook up a hose to the fill port at the stern of the boat, flip the switch in my galley to "City Water" and flush everything out. Once the water is clear, I disinfect the system in a similar way as I do to winterize it but the 5 gallon bucket is filled with a water and bleach formulation (2oz bleach per gallon of water). Note: you will need to flip the switch back to tank so that it will pump it out of your bucket. Let that sit in there for 4-6 hours and then flush it all through again with the hose connected to the fill port at the stern. Once things don't smell like bleach, fill the tank and enjoy the season.
 
gustaf, How do you get pink stuff in the line from the tank to the pump without putting anything in the tank?
 
gustaf is correct, best way to do it is find the 12V water pump.

After tank has been emptied by pump, disconnect line going into the pump. Connect line going to pump to the AF. Turn pump ON and pump it thru system until it comes out every faucet

The way I did it was disconnect hose on the output side of the pump. Use air compressor with regulator set at 40 psi and connect to line. Open all faucets and let it blow.

I start changing oil and other stuff and let all the lines blow out. With very little water left in lines will not harm anything.
 
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