Loosing some power on console

[travelinman31]

I'm new to the forum, but have looked on here from time to time. A lot of knowledge on here so I'm hoping someone can steer me in the right direction. I recently purchased a 1989 StarCraft SD240 with a Mercury 80 on it. We have been enjoying the boat, but had a problem arise last night. All was working fine, and then out of the blue the navigation light switch wouldn't operate the lights/ nor the anchor lights, and the interior light switch was non functional along with the horn. The courtesy light on the console worked as did the radio. My tach and fuel gauge haven't worked since I purchased the boat, but that may be another issue. I'm a master electrician so tearing into the electrical system doesn't scare me, but thought I would ask here to see if anyone had suggestions where to start. I've never opened the console on a boat, is it pretty straight forward once in there? Thanks in advance, and I look forward to learning from the site.

 

[crb478]

Re: Loosing some power on console

I would check the grounds first followed by the positive wires, they are probably daisy chained and one has probably come loose. Check at the fuse block first.

 

[MinUph]

Re: Loosing some power on console

I would agree to check the panel first. I had the same sort of issues last year. Changing fuses, giggling them so I changed out the panel and all is well. Most wiring is factory and unless a previous owner cobbed it up it should be fine. Fuse panels get cracked, corroded etc. Being sparky you know.

 

[travelinman31]

Re: Loosing some power on console

There are fuses above each switch. They looked fine (but I didn't have a meter with me to check). Is there another fuse panel? Or would these be the only protection. Gonna look at it closer tomorrow evening and see what I can fix or fry! Thanks for the ideas.

 

[MinUph]

Re: Loosing some power on console

Thats probably the only fuses there. If you had a panel I doubt there would be fused switches. Check the switches with a meter to see if they fail when used. Also as you may know a good contact cleaner might help. I use liquid wrench. Best I've found through the years. Original yellow can.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Loosing some power on console

More than likely you have a central buss with both pos and neg and it branches off of that to the switch panel and fuses. Most of the fuse / switch panels have a pos buss to feed the fuse and then the switches so most times if a fuse hasn't blown and other things work from the panel its the grounds that's corroded. It may be some thing like this.

 

[travelinman31]

Re: Loosing some power on console

Fixed!! By the batteries there were 2 30 amp fuses protecting wire running from batteries to console. One must have became a little loose and in turn got hot. Fuse was still good but wasn't making proper contact. Installed new fuse and ensured it was seated good. All lights working and brighter as well!! Thanks for y'all's help.