Checking wiring

[jimiboy]

I have recently bought a French yacht called a Chergui, built by Gouteron S.A. in 1974. She comes with the original Volvo RC11D inboard which is very reluctant to increase in revs until it has been running for about 20 minutes. My main problem however, is that the wiring is in a bit of a state and I do not have a wiring diagram.
Any information as to where I might find a diagram would be much appreciated.
I am fairly new to sailing, but very keen to get my boat up and running.

Jimiboy

 

[halcyon]

Almost certainly no diagram, each electrician had his own system, wiring diagrams started around 1990.
It the good old game of hunt the wire.


Brian

 

[andy_wilson]

Checking volts

Have you checked what the charging circuit is doing before and after the 20 minute mark.

It is a possibility that the load on the generator is enough to drag the power down until it eases off a bit.

Is there a charge controller fitted? Modern ones have a soft start feature to allow engine to warm before the load comes on.

The above comment could be viewed in conjunction with wiring being in a state.

 

[jimiboy]

Re: Checking volts

Cheers Andy

It looks as though I need a crash course on marine electrical systems. I am about to go to Scotland for a week (I live in France),so perhaps you ( or anybody)could suggest a book that I could buy off the shelf that would give me the kind of basic info I need to make a start.
My knowledge of the French language is on a par with my knowledge of electrics!

Jim

 

[Rowana]

Re: Checking volts

Boatowners mechanical and electrical manual by Nigel Calder is reconed to be about the best. It's about £35 though, but you could try e-bay or sometimes Amazon have second-hand books. I've bought a couple from Amazon in the past and found them excellent value.

Where about in Scotland are you comming to?

Jim

 

[jimiboy]

Re: Checking volts

Hi Jim

Thanx for the info. I am heading for Inverness/Invergordon.
Where r u?
Jim

 

[Rowana]

Re: Checking volts

I'm near Aberdeen.

Jim

 

[hutch]

Patience, labels and a multi meter

I had a similar problem to you - no wiring diagrams. However, it was a fairly straightforward job to trace all wires on the battery/shore power side of the distribution board. What was needed was lots of patience, lots of labels (I had to use mainly masking tape!) and two long wires with crocodile clips to extend the reach of the multi meter! Also on the appliance side of the distribution board, the same three ingredients were required. I was fortunate that each appliance has it's own negative back to a bus bar at the panel. The key is to ensure that every wire is labelled at both ends and at regular intervals through it's length - and catalogued.

Once I had done that, it was straightforward to draw up diagrams as appropriate. The key one covers the distribution board and meters, batteries, alternator, starter, battery charger.

She who must be obeyed was not overly amused at having floor boards lifted, ceiling panels removed, etc.

Luckily the engine wiring loom was in tact and working. I was able to get that wiring diagram from the manufactures.

Once I had traced all the wires, I was confident enough to rewire the boat where necessary myself using Nigel Calder's book as my bible. I have simplified the battery connections, added an Adverc battery controller, replaced the distribution board, installed completley new instruments and autopilot (with remote controls), added an extra GPS and aerial, installed interfaces for a laptop, added a DC/DC converter for the 12V ciruit (my boat is 24 volts), etc., etc., - and of course installed a decent sound system with external waterproof speakers!

In doing so, I pulled out miles of wire - don't know what the previous owners had done but most of it was completely redundant! They had replaced equipment without removing old wires. For the distribution board, I took all appliance wires to ABB connectors on a DIN bar and from there to the board. Ended up with a very neat layout and every wire easily identified and traceable.

So far, so good - everything still works, all connections have held - and I can now identify wires in the various runs thorughout the boat through the myriad of labels I applied!

I have probbaly been over zealous - but, hey, it works for me!

 

[tyger]

Re: Boatowners mechanical and electrical manual

I agree this book is very good.

If you buy second hand check which edition you are getting. The US edition refers to US practices and the UK edition to British ones.

The differences are particularly significant if you are planning any 220 volt ac work (e.g. installing shore power).

Of course the US edition is cheaper...

 

[Strathglass]

Re: Checking volts

Jim, I am near Inverness and could look at it for you. I have the necessary tools and experiance. Send me a MP and we can get in touch.
Iain