Turn the key, and... nothing. Electrics are not my forte. Where's the fault?

[colinb11]

I have a Beta 20 myself, perhaps you already have a copy but Beta have a faults and solutions page in the manual, page 70.
online at: OM 221 20031 HE REV29 1121

 

[FairweatherDave]

Thanks for that. I do have the manual and will take a close look....and I will refresh the thread when I finally get back to the boat in the New Year.....until then ....

 

[Hydrozoan]

On a similar but older engine, I found on passage that I could not switch it off at the panel, The cause was a return lead to the panel, the connection of which to the engine was below the heat exchanger and had corroded within the heat shrink, from the weeping from the heat exchanger zinc. Intermittent, It took a bit of finding with a multimeter - and a tug on the relevant cable.

 

[FairweatherDave]

Well here's the update. Finally able to spend some time at the boat. And the prize for identifying the culprit goes to Boatersam. It was the multiplug between the engine panel and the engine loom (which is opposite side to the starter motoer and oil filter). However thanks to all for the pointers. I never even needed the multimeter, just kept the key in the half way "plug warming" position and spotted the lights were glowing at the panel. Reckon I dislodged it when trying to catch the oil and trying to get an ice cream tub or something into position under the handpump tap. It was dark and rainy and I was rushing to do it while the engine was still warm. And I found my strap wrench for the oil filter at the bottom of a box. Result. Now it is with the spare oil filters. Learnt plenty about what is hiding around the engine but probably not much more about pure boat electrics.