Beta 30 Engine - Battery light flashing, buzzer and RPM counter dropping at regular interval

[1vanessa]

Hi all,

Apologies if this is something obvious, new to sailing and only second time starting the engine...
Started the engine while moored up and idling, approx every 5-10 seconds or so the panel buzzer sounds, the battery light flashes and the RPM counter drops to 0, before returning to idling RPM position.

Didn't seem to have the issue first time round, but on that occasion, started the engine and set off. Had a quick look through the beta manual, but nothing stood out. Only potentional was that the RPM is too low to charge the engine, but not sure?

Wondering what this might be and if something I should be concerned about?

It's a Beta 30, with the keyswitch panel. Not sure if it makes a difference, but two batteries on board with 'Both' selected (seperate switch, not Beta); Beta panel only has single battery lamp (no domestic battery).

Any help or advice greatly appreciated!
Vanessa

 

[VicS]

Suspect a problem with the alternator. If it stops generating the warning light will come on and the buzzer will sound. Also because the tacho gets its signal from the alternator it will stop reading
Could be a wiring fault/ bad connection rather than the alternator itself therefore check all connections including wiring loom between panel and alternator.
At some stage consider getting the alternator checked by an auto electrician,

Checked belt?

 

[Praxinoscope]

First thing to check is alternator belt, if it's too loose you may get the effects you are describing.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Maybe also if the idling speed is too low .

 

[PaulRainbow]

I'd check all connections first, start with the main negative connection on the engine, remove, clean, refit.

 

[BabaYaga]

check all connections including wiring loom between panel and alternator.

Especially the multipin plug/socket in the loom can give trouble, some contact spray onto these might help.

 

[jbweston]

Good advice from the posters above as it's probably under-voltage which is caused by insufficient charging voltage when the engine is at tickover.

You can check by getting a test meter and testing the voltage at the battery terminals when the engine has been off for a while (say when you first come on to the boat or after an overnight stop), then at tickover then at higher revs, then immediately after stopping the engine after a long period of running (and if everything is OK, charging). Remember to disconnect any shore charger well before as you want to start the process with the battery less than fully charged so you can see that the alternator is doing its job once you start the engine.

Voltages vary with stage of charge and whether the battery is being charged at the time of test, and also depending on the type of battery. Google 'battery voltage and charge level', and have a look at the normal levels for your battery type. That will give you figures, but in simple and very approximate terms, if the battery is partly discharged you should see a marked rise in voltage as charging starts, but it shouldn't go through the roof as the engine runs faster - if it does go too high than you have a voltage regulator problem.

 

[1vanessa]

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. Will try these out tomorrow and hope that the engine can be resolved

 

[peteK]

Had same problem and it was dirty brushes on alternator.

 

[1vanessa]

Hi again, sorry for the now very late update.

We had a marine engineer take a look as well as doing some more general checks. Sods law, there was no issue showing and we suspected that the two solar panels hadn't fully charged the battery at that time, but running the engine the two prior occasions when we saw this issue had topped up the battery.

Our voltmeter jumps from say 13.5 to 15.5 with the engine running, so seems the altenator is doing it's job? We did also find a mains charger for the battery and this is now turned on.

Oddly, when we last started the engine more recently, got only a couple of blips (same as described, but not presistent), potentially when reving up and down revs whilst moored up, but nothing more there after.

Thinking to check the connections to the tacho, the battery/alternator connections seemed fine according to the engineer. The belt tension seems good to.

Would the mains charger and two solar chargers being connected potentially impact anything, we disconnected the shore power before starting? Will be purchasing a multi-meter soon and doing some of the checks suggested here.

Thanks again for all the great advice!

Vanessa

 

[VicS]

Hi again, sorry for the now very late update.
We had a marine engineer take a look as well as doing some more general checks. Sods law, there was no issue showing and we suspected that the two solar panels hadn't fully charged the battery at that time, but running the engine the two prior occasions when we saw this issue had topped up the battery.
Our voltmeter jumps from say 13.5 to 15.5 with the engine running, so seems the altenator is doing it's job? We did also find a mains charger for the battery and this is now turned on.
Oddly, when we last started the engine more recently, got only a couple of blips (same as described, but not presistent), potentially when reving up and down revs whilst moored up, but nothing more there after.
Thinking to check the connections to the tacho, the battery/alternator connections seemed fine according to the engineer. The belt tension seems good to.
Would the mains charger and two solar chargers being connected potentially impact anything, we disconnected the shore power before starting? Will be purchasing a multi-meter soon and doing some of the checks suggested here.
Thanks again for all the great advice!
Vanessa

The volts should not be as high as 15.5