Struck by lightning

[jh121]

Hi all
My 30 foot sailboat was struck by lightning and the electrics are shot. The engine will no longer start in the normal way. However I can start it (inboard diesel) by putting a hammer to the solenoid. Am I doing any harm ? What if I start it this way on a regular basis ? All feedback appreciated.
Joe

 

[GrahamM376]

Hi all
My 30 foot sailboat was struck by lightning and the electrics are shot. The engine will no longer start in the normal way. However I can start it (inboard diesel) by putting a hammer to the solenoid. Am I doing any harm ? What if I start it this way on a regular basis ? All feedback appreciated.
Joe

The day will come when the hammer doesn't work and you'll be stuck. Take to auto electrician, a repair or new solenoid shouldn't break the bank.

 

[macd]

Are you insured, jh121?

 

[VicS]

Hi all
My 30 foot sailboat was struck by lightning and the electrics are shot. The engine will no longer start in the normal way. However I can start it (inboard diesel) by putting a hammer to the solenoid. Am I doing any harm ? What if I start it this way on a regular basis ? All feedback appreciated.
Joe

Check to see if the solenoid coil is burnt out ... if so replace solenoid otherwise check wiring / investigate reason why not working. Relay perhaps ??? Fuse ??

 

[parbuckle]

You may be able to unscrew the solenoid and find the engine fuel pump will be able to run in "always on" position this is a fail safe method on some Perkins but you will have to use the mechanical stop before turning off the ignition key as the engine will continue to run and could damage alternator . Before spending any money check for faulty relay as well as solenoid (sorry just seen already mentioned ).

 

[RichardS]

Hi all
My 30 foot sailboat was struck by lightning and the electrics are shot. The engine will no longer start in the normal way. However I can start it (inboard diesel) by putting a hammer to the solenoid. Am I doing any harm ? What if I start it this way on a regular basis ? All feedback appreciated.
Joe

I think this has to be a wind-up / troll. Surely?

If it is not, welcome to the forum, and please accept my apologies.

Richard

 

[William_H]

Well I will assume he is genuinbe in the question. I presume he means he makes a contact across the 2 studs of the starter solenoid with the metal part of the hammer. (not actually bashing the starter with the hammer.) The starter solenoid has a coil usually one end of which is grounded to the body the other end needing a feed of 12v from the battery to activate the coil. This 12v comes usually via the key switch and a fuse from the engine control panel. So first thing is to get a piece of wire attached to the battery terminal and contact it to the terninal on the solenoid. (smaller wire). Try first connecting this wire to the battery negative as sometimes the other end of the coil is connected to the battery supply lug of the solenoid. ie it needs an earth to activate. If that fails try to battery pos.
If this test does not provide engine crank then the solenoid is indeed burnt out. However I think this unlikely. It is more likely that it is the wiring or fuses blown.
If you continue using the hammer to make contact you will damage the bolts of the terminals with the sparking. And of course it is not convenient.
I suggest you look at all the wiring if it looks OK then more likely fuses gone.
My guess is that you got affected by a nearby strike rather than an actual direct hit. The nearby strike will induce high current into the mast and wiring which tries to get to the sea. It is likely tha tthe path to the sea was via mast wiring then other wiring to the engine hence to the engine block and sea via the prop. If indeed it was direct strike then all that wiring will be gone. (evaporated) So this might be a good time to rewire.
If indeed you need to bash the starter to get normal operation this is a sign of corrosion on the pinon drive or solenoid. This will require dismantling and cleaning
good luck olewill

 

[jh121]

Think I need to clarify: By putting a hammer to the solenoid I meant shorting the terminals of the solenoid by touching them with the head of a hammer. Could well be a screw driver. There is sparking when I did so but the engine actually started faster and better than before. Almost immediately without all the whiny cranking.
Thanks for all answers and concerns thus far but I feel my question has yet to be answered. Cheerio.

 

[jh121]

Thank you olewill for your detailed advice. I will follow it when i next visit the boat in 2 months time.