1988 10 Meter

[tsawyer]

Thursday I closed on my new 10 meter and went to Boca Raton on Friday to pick it up.

I've never driven anything that size, and I'm feeling it out. It sure doesn't drive like my Mako!

I got a quick rundown on the systems from a friend of the owner. But I'm sure to have lots of questions.

Looking through all the documentation on the boat tells me that I am the 2nd owner. Looking at it tells me it was well kept, but it old and needs some things.

I do have an electrical system question...

It seems certain systems require me to be running the generator.

The main DC refrigerator for instance, the blower, windlass and a few more. Shouldn't these things run from the main batteries?

Do I have something switched wrong? The individual breakers for these things are on.

Is it a battery issue?

Thanks for your help.

Tom

Rum Floater
Pompano Beach, Florida

[RWS]

The owner of First Mate Marine in Boca Raton is a Trojan International 11 Meter owner, member here and a certified marine technician. He also holds a captains license and is very familiar with the International Series.
His firm services numerous south Florida Trojan vessels.

I strongly suggest you hire him for a 2 hour shakedown. He can demonstrate and advise you on operational matters and hands on tips on all of your equipment.

He is a personal friend and was instrumental in influencing my decision on the International and he joined us for the trip from Miami to Tampa in 2001.

My windlass is on the 12 volt side. Some refrigerators are set up to run on 12 volts DC AND 120 volts AC.

The bilge blower is definitely a 12 volt item.

If you look at your electrical panel you will see that the left side breakers are all 12 volt.

There are two main breakers at the top of that panel which control everything underneath.

The heavy breakers in the center are for the 120 volt side, whether that power comes from the genny or shore power.

One word of caution on the 12 volt side of the breaker panel.....

Each and every one of those switches is actually an AIRPAX BREAKER!

It is important to make sure that they still are breakers as previous owner(s) and ignorant technicians have been known to change those breakers out when they fail to a TOGGLE SWITCH.

It's an easy mistake as the breakers actually look like toggle switches, however swapping them out can create a FIRE HAZARD and or damage your wiring and or components.

Send me a personal e-mail and I will provide First mate's phone # and e-mail address.

RWS

[k9th]

Good luck with your new purchase and I am sure you have many happy and exciting hours ahead of you as you learn her systems and settle in as her new owner.

[plansea]

Good luck with your new 10 Meter. I moved from a Bertram 28 with twin diesels to a Trojan F36 anhd discovered a world of diference in handling. RWS offers excellent advice! Larry

[pk]

Good Luck from Norway also! I am looking forward to take my 10 Meter out next spring.....!

[tsawyer]

Thanks RWS. I've contacted your friend and hope to meet with him this week.

Can anyone tell me what this means? It is the fuel crossover switch. Is it on or off and how does this thing work? I see the generator feeds from the starboard tank. How do I equalize fuel with this crossover?

[g36]

the crossover pictured is just a valve that will allow you to run both engines from either tank. in the position shown each engine will pull gas from the tanks seperately. so it is off. port engine/port tank etc. it is there in case you get some bad gas example water dirt etc in one tank you can switch and run both engines from one tank. i would make sure you can move it and probably run the engines a few minutes to make sure it actually works but i would then put it back like it is shown. its not designed to really equalize the tanks. if you leave it on and get something in the fuel you will then have issues with both engines and not just one like would happen if closed.

[RWS]

Thanks RWS. I've contacted your friend and hope to meet with him this week.

You're in good hands.

He knows Trojans and especially the details of the International series.

Bring along a note pad.

RWS

[tsawyer]

I think what I have is a battery problem. I dont have shore power installed at my house yet, so I think the items aren't working because of low battery.

When I crank up the generator, then there is enough juice to run them.

Last night I wanted to play with the GPS & radar because I'm not used to Furunos. They wouldn't work until I fired the generator.

So, with just a marine refrigerator running, my batteries aren't keeping a charge very long. How long should they be able to go before they go dead?

[g36]

12v refrigerator unless very new will probably use 3.6-4 amps while running. some of the newest are better and run less amps. the only true way to know is measuring the actual amps while running with an amp meter. but what i said should be close. how long they work on battery will depend on the battery and its reserve capacity. deep cycle 12v or in my case golf cart batterries which will keep mine going for a very long time. if your batteries are old or weak maybe not long at all. look at the battery and it should have something printed about capacity in amps such as group 27 105 amps etc. but of course that is what it would do if new.

[BobCT]

I installed 2 Trojan T105 6v golf car batteries a couple of months ago. It's hardwired only run the wet bar fridge. I've had it running about 2 full days on the hook and should be good for a couple of more accoridng to the math.

The T105's will fit in the existing battery box w/o any length or width modifications. They are higher though so I had to move the stainless catches on the lid so the rubber straps would reach.

I don't have a generator so this is working out ok for now.


Bob