1978 F-28 New Owner and ignition & power problems

BMILLER · Post by **BMILLER** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 11:46 am

First, great site. Numerous questions answered by reading and researching past postings.

New owner meaning, never had a twin IB cruiser..........always fished in CC (23 ft).

My first issue......no power to anything connected thru the port batttery switch. Worked fine then suddenly no power. No engine warning buzzer, no bilge pump, blower, etc. Electrical panel battery switches appear to be original. Side by side battery switches starboard side of cabin.

Prior to loosing all power to port engine, everything worked well and engine fired immediately. Turned off battery switches to perform other work and then last port side.

However, the only way to start the starboard engine was to hold the emergency start switch ...........BUT, after hot the engine would start. Is this a starter problem or a crossover solenoid problem? Previous owner crushed the crossover box and I was in the process of replacing as much as I can to "clean up" the battery area. A MESS for sure.

Very disappointed with this purchase so far...............previous owner had 110v hidden home extension cords running all over, under cushions, in bilge water, etc. I had this boat surveyed by a VERY reputable company and took their word for it that it was listed in good conditon and well maintained............riiiiight ! Having never owned this type of vessel before, I didn't know where all to look or even where trouble may exist. My BAD !

My immediate concern is power to the pumps and dash. I will hot wire with a seperate portable battery if necessary. I guess its best to upgrade to a modern 12v and A/C panel/s.

Did I mention the CASE of starter fluid I found for the 6.5 MCCK ? Called the previous owner to ask many questions and he won't return any calls.

Really anger at surveyor.

My REAL Halloween nightmare.

Any help or comments will be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks for your patience and cooperation in advance.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:12 pm

Welcome to the Forum

Sounds like a lose wire or corroded connection some where . I would start with a test light or meter at the battery and go from there , the battery terminals are a very common problem on any boat . Not much help but you need to start somewhere .

Sounds like you maybe facing issues cause by the last owner or 2 .

I would also have a talk with the surveyor about what he missed .

Good Luck.

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:20 pm

Was the surveyor certified?
If so ask your questions on paper and be prepared to make a report to his association if you do not get satisfactory answers.
If no professional designation for the surveyor then I'm sorry.

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 1:14 pm

Welcome. Take a deep breath...

Put your anger behind you for the present time and forget about the surveyor and previous owner.

Start at the batteries, check all connections and grounds. Also check the 12 main reset button behind the engines in the cross over start box.
Like Paul suggested, battery connections are first to check.

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 2:10 pm

Assuming you have Chrysler 225 engines, there is a 40amp circuit breaker that is a red button protruding through 225 cover at flywheel side of engine on top. It may be tripping as they supply electrical from batteries and causing grief.

And welcome aboard, there are several F28 owner here and have explored many of the issues you may find.

I have been rehabbing mine for 2 years and it is going in the water this spring or i will die trying.

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 2:12 pm

welcome to the forum,

unless you paid a lot of money for the boat and the survey, I wouldnt focus on fault, but would find the problem, and I will bet it will be fairly simple. likeposted before, a switch, corrosion, a breaker etc. start at the batteries and work your way to the panel.

BMILLER · Post by **BMILLER** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 4:58 pm

Replacing all battery cables was what I had intended to do when all went south. I also removed numerous wires attached to battery + but not hooked to anything.... just capped with electrical tape and laying in bilge, wrapped around various other wires and hoses. Why not a fire at some time amazes me. I did press the resets on the electronic boxes on top of the engines and up at the instrument panels.........nada. I would like to just remove the existing power management panel and replace with new hardware. I was looking at the Blue Seas management panel but does it eliminate the crossover selonoid system currently in the engine compartment? Or perhaps a pair of remote control battery switches to eliminate the need for long hvy battery cable runs? Too many questions..........far too little experience. I suppose its a simple system once you understand it. I have a learning curve for sure. I apologize for venting about the survey and previous owner.

Commissionpoint · Post by **Commissionpoint** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 5:26 pm

BMILLER wrote:Replacing all battery cables was what I had intended to do when all went south. I also removed numerous wires attached to battery + but not hooked to anything.... just capped with electrical tape and laying in bilge, wrapped around various other wires and hoses. Why not a fire at some time amazes me. I did press the resets on the electronic boxes on top of the engines and up at the instrument panels.........nada. I would like to just remove the existing power management panel and replace with new hardware. I was looking at the Blue Seas management panel but does it eliminate the crossover selonoid system currently in the engine compartment? Or perhaps a pair of remote control battery switches to eliminate the need for long hvy battery cable runs? Too many questions..........far too little experience. I suppose its a simple system once you understand it. I have a learning curve for sure. I apologize for venting about the survey and previous owner.

I'd say stick with the factory distribution panel unless you know its totally effed. I think others here would agree.

Torcan · Post by **Torcan** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 5:51 pm

Welcome aboard.
Great gang here with tons of knowledge. I am sure that many will be able to walk you through all this stuff. Just hang in there, don't get discouraged.

Sounds to me, like your previous owner and the "surveyor" may have known each other? Did he recommend him or did you find the surveyor on your own?

Good luck, on your boat, hope everything gets better and works out for you in the very near future.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 5:57 pm

I agree on the factory panel unless its bad ,( breakers can be replaced ) wiring a new panel in will only add to the headaches

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:27 pm

Having opened up my F28 panels the 12 volt one is quite complex with several bus bars and a lot of wiring. the 12 volt panel has a fuse bus bar as well for protection. I would dig in and just find the problem, that is easy to say.

BMILLER · Post by **BMILLER** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:53 pm

Well then, I better get at it.............I'm in north Texas and this boat needs to be winterized, so I need to get the engines running. They are raw water cooled. Here on Lake Texoma there are no marinas that will pull the boat and let you work on it on the hard. Wish I was still up on the Cheaspeake.....lots of places to winter store and do maintenance work. I have to fiugre out how to remove the top 12v panel in the cabin. The previous owner somehow fastened it with some method that has the screws stripped and the panel won't move. I still think it may be that battery switch since a also lost all port side instruments and switches on that side. A multimeter will tell the story for certain. Will go up tomorrow (2hr drive each way) and have at it. Have to hot wire the front bilge pump to get the water out and replace the automatic not working mid one too.............SIGH !

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:00 pm

Time to move back .

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:03 pm

Now there are at least 3 of us with F28 in North Texas. Sent you a private message regarding. Stay down here out of the frozen North. Once mine is in plan on using it during the winter as Texoma does not ice up. where is your boat located on Texoma. I am about 110 miles from there.

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 7:36 pm

I would also have the batteries load tested, you may have a bad one on the starboard engine. I had the same dead battery syndrom on the starboard had to use the emergency start switch to start it after the engine ran a while it charged up the battery for the day, next day was dead again.