The Boat Electrical System Forum
This is the best Boat Electrical System Forum on the internet, it's yours! Are you looking for good advice about cruising yacht and sailboat electrical systems, yacht equipment and systems? Why not invest in one of my marine electrical books? The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible, 4th Edition is here, bigger and better and covering more systems in greater technical depth. It will save you money and valuable time the moment you start reading it. All you need to know about your sailing and cruising yacht or trawler yacht and motor yacht systems.
From marine electrical and electronics systems to plumbing and anchor handling, this is the place to find it. If you are purchasing a used boat, or have boat for sale, or plan to take a yacht charter, all the information you will need is here at the boat forum.
The Marine Electrics Forum
So where do you start? There is a lot to know. I get asked regularly about what is the problem, and more importantly and how to fix a problem. I am a boat owner and that’s why I have published a dozen books to tell you all that you need to know about how to take care of your cruising yacht, fishing boat and motor boat systems.
My name is JOHN C PAYNE, and many of you may already have one of my books on marine electrical and electronics systems (The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible now in it’s 4th Edition and out now or perhaps one of the many other books on sailboats and yacht systems.
The Marine Electrical Electronics Bible is now out, buy and save money, make your boat more reliable and be self sufficient. The Marine Electrical Electronics Bible is now out, buy and save money, make your boat more reliable and be self sufficient.
The Boat Electrical Systems Forum
I am not an armchair expert, or a self proclaimed guru, but a qualified and practicing marine electrician and engineer, and a marine surveyor. I do this for a living, it is my day job, and also I sail and cruise my own yacht for fun! I have built, lived aboard and cruised several yachts and the chances are that your problems have been my own. Let this website help you with the boat electrical system forum! Thousands of people input with answers to problems.
What is your yacht or boat marine electrical problem? If you know what the problem is then you are halfway towards finding the right solution. Why not choose from one of my many books to help you fix your problems. Here are some hot topics for the Boat Electrical System Forum:
Batteries. All about Lithium-ion batteries.
Battery Charging. How to keep the power on and solve battery charging problems, it is by far the most common problem.
Lightning Protection How to keep you and your boat safe, mostly about yacht protection.
Lighting Systems How to keep things well illuminated even on the darkest night.
Basic Boat Wiring How to keep all your electrical powered systems operational and how to locate faults when it does not.
Inverters How to get AC power on your yacht, including shore power.
Interference How to locate and eliminate that annoying radio noise.
This is just a fraction of the 3000 plus questions that were posted, and it is hoped that this boat electrical system forum and bulletin board does the same.
The Boat Electrical System Forum is also a great place to look for spare parts that are hard to find, share your problems and experience with others, ask questions, share stories and more about my books and related topics and a lot more. Create your own web page every time you submit an article and include great low resolution images as well. Use the boat electrical system forum as your own website.
How to Post Questions to the Boat Electrical System Forum
Boat Electrical System Forum means Forum Rules! Yes, there are a few basics when posting!
1. DON'T TYPE IN ALL CAPITALS, DON'T SHOUT! as it will not be posted. Don't use any HTML code as it will be deleted.
2. Language. Don't use bad language or profanity as it will not be posted. Please be civil and courteous.
3. Personal Details. Please at least use a first name and location with your email address in the notification page, so you will get a message when someone leaves a comment.
4. Description. You need to insert a couple of sentences describing your problem and add an image if possible as it helps others. If you insert just a couple of words using SMS style talk the system will reject it. If it is too brief the system will not register it, more details mean better responses and answers. Example - engine wont start, no charging voltage etcetera,
5. Don't Spam the site with multiple submissions. They all get deleted.
6. Replies. We receive dozens of posts a day and it is quite impossible to reply to more than just a few given this is a free site and I don't have enough time given I have a day job. Please do not expect instant replies.
7. Problem Description. It helps if you start the headline with your Marine Electrical Equipment name (e.g. Batteries, charging, alternator, wiring, lighting, corrosion, inverter, shore power and so on). Make and model number of relevant. Save the problem description to the text, not in the title, and more detail means better answers. More great information on boat electrics at fishing and boats.
Have a boat electrics problem to share?
Boat electrics, batteries and battery charging problems and issues? need someone to try and help resolve them? Then use this forum and maybe someone can help.
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
2005 Yamaha 150 outboard wont start and no trim 
When the ignition key is turned I get nothing at all. No clicking, nothing, total silence. Also the trim does not work either, but when I press the trim …
1993 Glasstron SSV 195 with Penta 432A relay #28 buzzing
Boat is generally in good shape, but after de-winterizing, the (new) starter makes a loud clicking sound while it turns the engine over.
When ignition …
1996 Glastron 185 GS 4.3 Volvo Penta
The starter and battery were replaced and now the boat will crank but when you turn the key a second time there is nothing. let it sit for a bit and it …
2017 stingray 206cc electronic panel shortage
The electrical panel has a short in it. It goes in and out. No horn, no garmin, no livewell
2008 Tahoe Q6 stereo wire harness.
I have a 2008 Tahoe Q6. I am putting small speakers facing out the back of the boat, next to the engine compartment air vent holes. The wire harness plug …
I have a 2003 Searay 280 Sundancer. I installed the 3 batteries and none of the lights work or the gauges
The Boat will start and the sump pumps will work but the fan to clean out the engine doesn't work the gauges don't work and the lights don't work . What …
Boat engine shutting down.Trips Ign Breaker sometimes.
As you can see I have been hunting a problem that the dealer nor I can find. I talked to a parts guy today and he said Stingray had a problem with their …
Electric issues on Yamaha 200hp
It is a Yamaha saltwater series , 200 hp it is on a Grady white 1995" 209 escape , the problem is as follows.
I was fishing and turned off the engine,, …
Dissolving switch coatings
I recently purchased a 1997 Maxum 30, and I have a puzzle I am trying to figure out. The helm switches for lights, instruments, pumps, etc. are plastic …
How to Remove a Fuse Block on a Ranger Bass Boat
I'm having trouble finding an electrical problem on my 2000 Ranger Bass boat. All of my electronics have quit and I'm blowing the fuse to one on the aireator(sp). …
Reverse Polarity Issue
I am mechanically inclined but did one of the stupidest things in a very long time. I went to boost my battery and reversed the positive and negative by …
Shore Power Issues - Dead Appliances
I had a new boat delivered Friday. System is 30 amp. Hooked up to shore power with a 30 amp cord with an adaptor because marina only has 50 amp. Also had …
Kohler Generator problems
I have a kohler generator on my boat and i have been having problems with it. Sometime the generator can be hard to start up so i have to get in the engine …
corrosion test meter
I have one of those portable analog corrosion test meters. It has three zones, one for steel, aluminum and bronze, that shows the green area for correct …
Wind Generator Problems
I am not sure about this appliances that place high loads on the system. Here is s what happened. After a recent cruise my wind generator seemed to bombed …
Inverter and reverse polarity
I'm trying to get my inverter to power up my shore power system. (just temporary). I'm using a short cord from inverter to shore power receptacle and the …
Trolling motor problem
I have a 12 volt trolling motor in my Skeeter. I was confused when I looked at the wiring because it appeared that they were connected in series for a …
Positive Ground Boat
I have what I guess is one of those rare boats with positive ground. It is a 1947 Matthews Deluxe 38. Although some documentation I have indicates a negative …
Trolling Motor Battery Charging
I need to know if it is possible to run a 24 volt trolling motor and to be able to charge 3 batteries at the same time or with a switch, from the main …
AC plug hook-up for battery charger Not rated yet
I have a 3-bank AC battery charger that the previous owner installed on my sailboat by cutting the 3-prong plug off and splicing on to 14-3 marine wire …
1987 Force 85hp Outboard on a 1961 Albright Cruiser Not rated yet
Not a problem exactly, I'm doing an overhaul of the helm electrics, adding a few courtesy lights for night running, new helm switch panel with breakers …
2006 SeaRay 250 SLX with Smartcraft gauges Not rated yet
All gauges were out to get new lenses when purchased used from previous owner...how are they linked together and which gauge gets the System Link cable …
2012 90hp four stroke Not rated yet
Motor will run fine when first started. After running for awhile if I pull throttle back to idle position motor will cut off and not restart. It will restart …
1993 Johnson Tracker 40hp kill switch wiring Not rated yet
I can't locate the black with white stripe wire for the kill switch.
fuel sending unit / replacement. Not rated yet
i have a 87 welcraft220 classic(chevy 305), absolutely love. I'm replacing all my gauges . while im at it i would to replace my fuel send unit my issue …
1979 Mercury 115 2 stroke Not rated yet
I have a 1962 16' Starcraft runabout that had a 1963 100hp Mercury 6cyl tower of power. My kids grew up with this boat and we wore that motor out. I have …
CSeries onboard charger DC310E Not rated yet
We've got a bad circuit board on one of the charging banks, and are looking for a full circuit diagram for troubleshooting and repair. Manufacturer support …
1990 21' Parker Center Console Not rated yet
Have new batteries but none of the electrical systems are working and can't get engine started. I'm a general contractor and licenses electrician running …
2009 Tahoe 195 Fuse Diagram or Block information? Not rated yet
I am looking for any information on a 2009 Tahoe 195 Fuse Box wiring diagram or any information about the block. Thanks!
Evinrude 150 HP alternator size amperage Not rated yet
What is the standard size ( amperage) of 150 HP evinrude Oceanpro? Is there a table of different alternator sizes corresponding to each outboard?
1999 HarrisKayot Legend Not rated yet
Both nav lights are out. Anchor light works as it should in all 3 switch positions.
Are both nav lights on one fuse?
Where is the fuse panel on this …
Starter issue 1993 Evinrude intruder with OIS (optical ignition system) 150. Not rated yet
I bought this hydrasport 27 fishing boat recently and it has been sitting for quit awhile. The boat is a 1990 and the motor is a 1993 The previous owner …
Duplicating start/stop from wheelhouse to cockpit Not rated yet
I have a Nauticat 331 motorsailer with a Yanmar diesel engine The ignition/start (combined) switch and the engine off button are in the wheelhouse and …
Lost Electric power Not rated yet
I had the but running in the driveway, all the gages were working, motor ran fine, charging everything. Then I turned it off, and now I don't have dash …
2008 Starcraft super fisherman 170 no power to both motor. Not rated yet
I recently removed the electric downriggers by cutting the wire. Neither motor will crank over and my batteries are good. I’m assuming I blew a fuse or …
2002 Glaston 17.5 4.3 litre Not rated yet
2002 glaston 17.5 feet,fuel gauge reading 1/2 full always.should I replace the sending unit?
Wanting to add a trim gauge to a 1979 merc 115hp outboard, will need to start from scratch, nothin is tbere Not rated yet
1984 lowe pontoon, can't see motor, sun bed in the way. Does any one make a retrofit for these engines? Scott, oklahoma, scottway70@yahoo.com
Battery Problems 2006 Starcraft Elite 206 Pontoon Not rated yet
Just replaced battery with a new AGM battery and although I have all accessories, when I turn the ignition key I get nothing. no turn over at all???
residual current causing shaft/prop oxidation Not rated yet
Good Morning, I have a 2004 sea ray 34' with twin 8.1"s, I'm having a problem with my starboard prop shaft prop nuts oxidation. had the props reconditioned …
1989 MonArk 28’ Weekender pontoon electrical issues Not rated yet
Please help I have a 1989 MonArk Weekender Pontoon 28’. It’s my first boat. We just bought it and battery was unhooked we hooked it up as all black wires …
Alternator Issues -1995 Four Winn's 200 horizon Not rated yet
We had just gotten our boat out of the shop with a new alternator the day before when a big storm came through. The back cover blew off and the engine …
2002 Fishermarine 241 DLX Loss of electrical power Not rated yet
My Fishermarine 24 DLX was cranking and running fine during the day. After shutting it off for a couple of hours I attempted to start it . It would not …
All electrical on boat won’t work Not rated yet
Any and all suggestions will be much appreciated! Initial problem: At the end of last boating season the batteries were draining needing repeated jumps …
Fuel sending unit on the bow end of tank/deck ? Not rated yet
Would it not make more sense that the fuel sending unit be positioned at stern end of tank/ deck. My 100 gallon tank on my 24ft CC (Irwin Yacht) has the …
Electrical Problems Not rated yet
2015 Ranger Z117 2014 Mercury 115 hp DFI. I hit a log, no physical damage other than scuff marks on the foot. I was at full throttle and the engine never …
Battery voltage when start generator Not rated yet
I cruise on my 36 foot sailboat and have a Honda generator to charge my bank of four batteries. When I start the generator the charger panel says that …
generator sets off warning light when engines are started Not rated yet
generator works fine until the boat engines are started and then a warning light and buzzer at the helm goes off. If I switch off the circuit breaker …
12 V power plug shuts down then turns back on Not rated yet
I have a 22 ft thundrcraft sometimes the gps and fishfinder shutdown then after a minute they turn back on! Maybe some kind of a resettable fuse? …
blowing fuses in multiple circuits Not rated yet
I have a 79 carver santa cruz 25. overall good condition. Recently It has been blowing multiple fuses in separate circuits. First the bilge pump circuit, …
horn and navigation lights not working Not rated yet
I have a 2000 Bayliner Capri. I had the shift cable and boot changed and after that the navigation lights and horn don't work. I checked and I am getting …
Mysterious electrical short on my Searay. Not rated yet
My 33 Searay Sundancer appears to have some kind of small electrical short which slowly drains the house batteries even tho all switches are off. The short …
Electrical problem on Glastron SX170 Not rated yet
We did a reverse connection when hooking up the battery. Now there is no power to the dash or the motor or motor life. The only thing that works is the …
5AMP ACC Fuse keeps blowing Not rated yet
I have a 2007 Lund Tyee 18.6 with a 135 verado mercury engine. This year I noticed my horn was not working so I opened fuse panel and checked horn fuse …
switch panel gone bad Not rated yet
have a 204 tr-21 triton,it has 2 oval switch panels on dash,right side is power,accessory switches,the right one is ive well,pump out,recirculate,etc. …
extend battery cable to 12 trolling motor Not rated yet
I have a new 12 volt Minn Kota Power V2 with iPilot i'm installing on my 16' jon boat. The unit itself is mounted but I found out the twin (8 gauge ?) …
Bayliner 3.0 L Marine engine alternator belt replacement Not rated yet
I have the fix for easily replacing the alternator belt on a 3 L inboard outboard motor when the front engine mount is in the way of the water pump pulley. …
Electrical problems 1985 Larson Senza V-175 Not rated yet
Hello, I have a 1985 Larson Senza V-175 with an electrical problem. My nav lights and stereo are both wired hot through the ignition. The last time I …
Lights and horn not working Not rated yet
I just got a used fisher 200 pontoon. Got the boat home and was checking it out and found out the lights and horn will not work at all. The battery meter …
Battery draw problem Not rated yet
I have a 1969 crestliner Norseman. I believe it has a 120 4 stroke mercruiser. My battery has been constently draining so I narrowed it down to the main …
12V system and 12V on the steel - hull Not rated yet
We have got a steel boat, two engines (isolated from hull), a separate electric system (batteries) for engines & one for services and 12V on the hull. …
1989 Sea Ray 2340 EC alarm panel Not rated yet
Good Day, just bought the boat and can't find a wiring schematic or troubleshooting guide for the alarm system. I want to go through the alarms prior …
Formula 300 genset Not rated yet
Hi, I am tony. My friend just bought a 30 ft cruiser. The brand is formula and model is Formula 300. It comes with an inboard ac genset without the alternator …
Sealine 215 Electrics Not rated yet
I have a Sealine 215 89 and the electrics including the radio won't come on until I've started the engine and revved it a few times ???
High battery voltage Not rated yet
I have two new Suzuki 140 outboards on my GB Cat. They replaced 130 Hondas. The new outboard regulayors produce a battery voltage of nearly 14.9 volts. …
44' Gulfstar '86 T diesel motor yacht charging system Not rated yet
With both engines running, starboard altinator and tack stop working, if you turn the port engine off, starboard alninator and tack work, turn port on …
A/C power to only a portion of the boat Not rated yet
I have a 29' Tiara (1998) and recently lost A/C power to portions of the boat. Everything works fine on D/C and when the shore power is plugged in, only …
motorguide tour edition 36volt 109lb thrust lack of power Not rated yet
Ive had this trolling motor for almost three years now and at first it had a great deal of power. I once broke down about five miles from the ramp and …
Voltage insulation test Not rated yet
I did read on a book that there should be no voltage between hull and negative or positive supply of a battery. On a metal boat, since the hull is at …
Bilge Light and Blower Light Not rated yet
I just got my boat back from a local marina who put a used engine in to replace another they had sold me that threw a rod after 3 runs. I got the boat …
1995 Lund Tyee...Bilge Pump Wiring Not rated yet
The bilge pump stopped working. In the process of repair I found the the two wire bilge pump is controlled by a six terminal, three position rocker switch, …
Bow and Stern light has voltage and assembly Not rated yet
Bow and Stern light have voltage to the assembly but the assembly when connected does not work... This is a 94 bayliner and the assembly is new, but when …
Shore Power breaker tripping Not rated yet
I just purchased a used 27ft boat that brakes the breakers at the marina everytime I try to connect. This is with nothing on and the panel box off. It …
Accessory switch panel wiring Not rated yet
I just bought a new boat that has a switch panel with the following switches- nav/anchor, docking, master power, courtesy, accessory, horn. I would like …
Boat electronics problems Not rated yet
I recently bought a 2003 Pathfinder 2300DV offshore. The boat has three batteries, two for starting and one for electronics. The last two times out, the …
Electrical problems Not rated yet
When I switch the battery power to "on" the radio works fine BUT, if I turn on the bilge pump the radio goes off. So most of the time I can't get the radio …
12 or 24 Volts? Not rated yet
Hi all! I'm in the process (in Australia) of converting a fishing trawler to a pleasure craft and completely renewing the electrics. At the moment the …
Motorguide Trolling Motor Wiring schematic Not rated yet
I have a Motorguide trolling motor model # BD1241QS,41 LBS thrust Bill Dance edition. I need the wiring diagram for inside the top casing.It is about 8 …
Fishing boat alternator problem Not rated yet
I have a 24v alternator on a small fishing boat charging either of two pairs of 12v batteries independently selectable by switch. 12v electrics are powered …
Fishing boat spotlight problem Not rated yet
I have two spotlights on a 20' ProLine fishing boat. They are fantastic for about 10 minutes until the fuse blows. I can reset the fuse and the lights …
Grounding Through Anode Not rated yet
This query relates to a 55 foot glass fiber ketch which is being used to monitor for porpoises acoustically. Porpoise produce ultrasonic clicks and this …
