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Electrical Problem
liquidplummer
#1 Posted : Friday, March 05, 2010 5:11:23 AM(UTC)
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As I was removing the wires from my rooftop ac unit the neutral wire momentarily touched the case. The isolator in the wine cellar made a funny noise, like clicking. The breaker is off and there is no power to the unit. I checked the voltage with a multimeter from neutral(white) to ground and got 3.7 volts. I have checked other outlets and the same voltage is present. Is this normal, should I be concerned. Any suggestions.
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Roger2
#2 Posted : Friday, March 05, 2010 1:40:11 PM(UTC)
Roger2

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First check with volt meter for both AC & DC to see which the 3 volts is. This is not normal. I supect that the 3 volt is DC. Maybe a bad ground on an appliance that is dual voltage, like referigerator?

Roger
Sea Jay
1983 37 double cabin, twin 230hp Volvo diesels, twin disk 1.5-1 20X 23 4 blade props
Roger2
#3 Posted : Friday, March 05, 2010 1:40:11 PM(UTC)
Roger2

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First check with volt meter for both AC & DC to see which the 3 volts is. This is not normal. I supect that the 3 volt is DC. Maybe a bad ground on an appliance that is dual voltage, like referigerator?

Roger
Sea Jay
1983 37 double cabin, twin 230hp Volvo diesels, twin disk 1.5-1 20X 23 4 blade props
GB49
#4 Posted : Friday, March 05, 2010 2:11:03 PM(UTC)
GB49

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That clicking sound is the isolator letting you know there is juice in the ground like you measured.
Pull the shore power and repeat measurements.
If still voltage separate 1 batt at a time while measuring.

I have yet to find DC dropping onto the AC ground. Most of the time the AC is fouled somewhere. Either the plug at either end. I've seen zorched pedestal outlets, zorched shore cord plugs and zorched wiring behind the panel at the helm.
Also had a boat 2 docks down from me with a zorched power cord plug. If the cord was jostled it would randomly put voltage to ground and make my isolator buzz.

If no probs can be found on your boat start pulling shore power on your neighbors. Have someone watch the meter on your boat so you can tell when the problem quits.

Can also measure neutral to ground at the dock pedestal with your boat completely out of the circuit. If your still getting voltage you know the problem is on the dock or another boat.

I always shoot either silicone or contact cleaner/dielectric spray on everything at the beginning of the year and inspect & respray a few times throughout summer.

-Karl
1986, 32' Sedan, twin 360ci, 275hp Chrysler's w/ K&N flame arrestors
dougrose
#5 Posted : Sunday, March 07, 2010 7:08:58 AM(UTC)
dougrose

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The green ground and the white neutral coming from the shore power are connected together 'way back at the transformer, on shore somewhere. Neutral carries current, green isn't supposed to, so it is normal to have a few volts difference from white to green out on the docks.

Be sure that your white neutral on the boat is not connected to the hull or to the green coming into the boat. Check that with shore power unplugged, reading resistance from the pins on your shore power connector. Make sure that the green on your shore power connector goes to the isolator and then to the hull. Heed GB49's advice, he does this stuff for a living.


1975 32' Flybridge Sedan, twin Perkins 6-354 diesels, 1:1.53 velvetdrives, 16 X 19 props. Merritt Island, Florida
liquidplummer
#6 Posted : Sunday, March 07, 2010 10:00:24 PM(UTC)
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Thanks I will be diving into this electrical problem shortly. Just sold my Sea Ray today and am ready to put my attention into the BigM.
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