new yanmar 3ym30 fitted

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yelbis

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Hi

I have just had a new engine fitted. I have had the boat back a week and the cranking battery was flat. It read only 1 volt. the engineer pointed out that the red isolator handle/switch within the cabin was left in the on position and hence the power drain.

Previous to this I have left this in the on position for the last three or four years. Does anyone know if the engineer is correct. he said the control panel for the 3ym will always be drawing power and that the on/off switch (no key) that is on the front control panel is only to illuminate the back lights. Seems a bad design if this is the case as obviously should I forget then i will always end up with a flat battery plus keep running down an otherwise good battery.

Thanks
 
I'd consider it good practice to isolate your engine battery upon leaving in case of any electrical shorts anyway, and also, especially if you have no key to start your engine... anyone could come along and start it without access to the interior (unless your panel is below or in a locked up location of course!)
 
Have a look at the ciruit diagram yelbis - that will tell you whether the panel on/off switch kills everything ( as it does with my volvo) or not. But in any case how did the engineer check the installation if there was no starter battery?
 
I'd be tempted to check voltages with an avo meter, test when disconnected then connected and see if there is a power drain, a faulty switch could cause it as well as other things
Also if some thing is causing a power drain it may heat up giving you a clue
I dought such a well designed system would draw current if not actually switched on. Is your guy saying its a live panel ?
 
I've not had this prob with my 3YM20 (the same engine basically). Maybe your starter batt was treated harshly by the engineers when commissioning the new diesel.
Suspect it's time for a new one, but certainly isolate it when you leave the boat.
 
mtb said:
Is your guy saying its a live panel ?
Click to expand...

As per the first post, that is exactly what he is saying. And a quick glance at the yanmar circuit diagram suggest he may just be right. Depends on which panel the OP has bought but it looks to me as if on the basic panel it remains live unless the battery switch is operated. In which case warning lights etc will be glowing and using amps.
 
I have two 3YM30s, both with panel B type and I have never noticed any battery drain when the engines are off.

My type B panels both use the new style Yanmar key although the key can be locked in place and made none removable. If you want to remove it you have to turn the black lock ring with the castellations in it at the front of the key assembly and remove the locking pin. You then have a removeable the key and can fit the flip-up rubber rain covers.

Having said that, if the boat is left for more than a few days, I switch off the starter battery master switch anyway. There is certainly no visible activity occuring at the panels when the engine key is off.

I suppose the question to be asked is why would Yanmar wire up a permanently live panel? It seems very unlikely as it serves no purpose unless there truly is no power key to turn the power off but I have never seen a Yanmar panel like that as the warning buzzer would be sounding continuously.

Richard
 
RichardS said:
I have two 3YM30s, both with panel B type and I have never noticed any battery drain when the engines are off.

My type B panels both use the new style Yanmar key although the key can be locked in place and made none removable. If you want to remove it you have to turn the black lock ring with the castellations in it at the front of the key assembly and remove the locking pin. You then have a removeable the key and can fit the flip-up rubber rain covers.

Having said that, if the boat is left for more than a few days, I switch off the starter battery master switch anyway. There is certainly no visible activity occuring at the panels when the engine key is off.

I suppose the question to be asked is why would Yanmar wire up a permanently live panel? It seems very unlikely as it serves no purpose unless there truly is no power key to turn the power off but I have never seen a Yanmar panel like that as the warning buzzer would be sounding continuously.

Richard
Click to expand...

Agreed, my 3ym20 with the B panel certainly doesn't draw any amps - and hasn't for the last 5 years I've had it fitted.
 
I have looked but can not see why it would be drawing any power. The engine started great for the run back to Brighton. i left the engine running for an hour and motor sailed. A week had passed and completely flat.
 
yelbis said:
Yes
no key and this is the latest panel !
Click to expand...

OK ... I've found a diagram of the latest 3YM30 panel and you are right!

http://www.yanmarmarine.eu/theme/ya...atasheet/English/Yanmar-3YM30AE datasheet.pdf

The four switches down the left hand side are start switch, stop switch, glow switch, and on/off switch. I assume that start turns over the starter motor and stop operates the fuel solenoid and cuts the engine so the question is at what point does the oil pressure / alternator buzzer start sounding and how do you turn it off when the engine is stopped? If this is when the on/off switch is operated then the on/off switch has replaced the key and it is for more than just the backlighting.

If the battery flattens when the on/off is left off, I suspect that something has been incorrectly wired.

Richard
 
Having a panel that is flatening the battery for no good reason is crazy. An simple oversight when leaving her will kn**ker an expensive battery
If Yanmar have designed it this way they are wrong to do so.
Should a battery drain test be conducted after the installation is completed ?
In any case a proper professional installation should have a facility to prevent this adverse effect which on a long trip could cause failure to start in a dangerous position.
 
Halo and RichardS Your replies are exact. My main worry is how quick is the drain. I would not want to sail solo long distance and have to go into the boat to switch on an isolator. I always sail with engine ready to go from the cock pit. The engine warning lights and alarm go off when on off switch is turned off. Same as a key.

Time to bypass the ssupplier/fitter and contact Yanmar.
 
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