Sanpan Pontoon Electrical Issue

[Racer25]

Trying to troubleshoot a possible electrical issue on my 2005 Godfrey Sanpan pontoon boat. The master control panel (below) all of a sudden starts flickering all lights. Sometimes it just goes off with nothing working while other times, everything works just fine after the flickering. No problems with motor running. I suspect some type of grounding issue, loose connector/harness somewhere, or maybe the master display panel needs replacing? Or could it be the Perko rotary battery switch selector? Both batteries are new. Cannot get any wiring diagram from Godfrey due to age of pontoon.
. View attachment Master Control Panel.MOV

 

[mike_i]

You're right, you have a loose connection. Start tracing and pulling on wires.

 

[Bondo]

You're right, you have a loose connection. Start tracing and pulling on wires.

Ayuh,..... Start at the batteries, 'n go from there,....

All contacts should be shiny metal Clean,.....

I'm thinkin' it a Ground problem,.....

 

[ahicks]

Many boats have a fuse block located very near a switch panel like that, where the fuses for all those accessories are located. I would start looking for a bad/loose/corroded wire or connection there.

 

[Racer25]

Thanks for the suggestions from all...

I've asked Godfrey for wiring diagram and also to tell me where the fuse block might be located, but they can't help? I'll have to figure out how to get underneath the dash, or maybe there's some way I can remove this.

I agree it's probably some loose connection or ground wire, so will try to look for this. Thanks again!

 

[Racer25]

Many boats have a fuse block located very near a switch panel like that, where the fuses for all those accessories are located. I would start looking for a bad/loose/corroded wire or connection there.

Any idea how to get to this since the dashboard controls & switches are all built into the dashboard. Does the dashboard unbolt to maybe lift it up for access? I can't see or reach any of this unless the dashboard comes out. Thx

 

[ahicks]

The only thing I can share that might help is the fact the fuses are generally in an easy to access place.

 

[Bondo]

Any idea how to get to this since the dashboard controls & switches are all built into the dashboard. Does the dashboard unbolt to maybe lift it up for access? I can't see or reach any of this unless the dashboard comes out. Thx

Ayuh,..... Donno yer boat, but generally speakin' it's done layin' on the floor, lookin' up,.....

 

[dingbat]

Doesn’t act like a grounding issue. Ground wouldn’t activate circuits that are off.

Guessing you have power feeding back through ground.

Pull the fuse for the bilge pump and see if the problem goes away

 

[Grub54891]

*Some* boats have the access panel inside the boat, behind the dash. But on a pontoon, the lower panel usually comes off down by your feet. Then you can get in there.

 

[Racer25]

Doesn’t act like a grounding issue. Ground wouldn’t activate circuits that are off.

Guessing you have power feeding back through ground.

Pull the fuse for the bilge pump and see if the problem

 

[Racer25]

I know the display shows a bilge pump, but there's not one. This is a 2005 Godfrey Sanpan pontoon (they called it special edition, ha). I guess they just used a standard master control for all their boats, who knows.

I'm going to look at the Shortstop circuit breakers coming off of both batteries, and clean all battery connectors first. Then I'll try to find the fuse block. It could be that this display is just bad?

 

[Grub54891]

I just re-read your first post. It's fine with he motor running. You have a power feed problem. Time to clean all connections from the battery all the way to the helm. Doubt it's the panel itself.