DC system failure of F32

[rufflivin]

I have an F32 and when my air conditioner stopped blowing cold air, we determine one of the connections in the switch was bad. So, before disconnecting and replacing, I turned off the AC electrical system from shorepower and turned the battery switches to off (both of them). I then fixed the air conditioner switch and turned the battery switches back on and then the shorepower. I did not note that the CO detector, which normally resets with the battery switches, did not do so (just remembered it later.) Then yesterday when I tried to turn on my ventilation blowers, nothing happened. All interior DC lights did not work, the nav lights would not turn on, the head will not flush and the bilge pumps won't run.

Any ideas what I should check? I reviewed all the fuses on the right side of the panel. One was bad and I replaced it but nothing happened. The others will be checked once I get my meter's battery replaced so I can check all of them. I don't know if there is a main "RESET" switch ... I am not knowledgeable at all about electricity but my boat manual did say the bilges should be working even if we turn off the battery switches so I'm afraid it is something different.

Your input is greatly appreciated.

[comodave]

On my Chryslers, there are circuit breakers that feed the battery switches. They are on the top rear of the engines and are red. Don't know what engines you have, but it is something to check.

[prowlersfish]

And make sure your battery switches are in the correct position . Also make sure the cables are tight

[RWS]

a volt/ohm meter and a test light will be your best friends in diagnosing this problem.

Start at the batteries, then move through the system.

I'd bet it's something simple

RWS

[captainmaniac]

Simple stuff first as Paul says -- re-check the switch positions are where you think they are.

Next -- how long was the shore power turned off? Test the batteries with a volt meter - you may find them both flat. Your fridge is AC/DC (if an original setup), and the way it is wired it bypasses the battery switches and goes right to the ignition cross-over ("emergency start") box. With the shore power off, the fridge would have been running off of your batteries, even if battery switches are off. Normally it would take a while to drain 2 batteries, so if you were not off of shore power for very long, either batteries need a good charge or replacement.

[rufflivin]

Thanks all. I checked the engines and while they are Chryslers did not have the switch you mentioned. I think they were bigger engines. But with my trusty voltmeter, I checked the deep cell battery and it was fine but the other one, that supports the DC system, was a big ZERO. So I started following all connectors and sure enough, there was a fused line from the 2nd battery to the charger and it was pulled apart. Probably a good bounce while out on the rivah!! but when I replugged it, the meter moved a tiny bit immediately and the red light came on showing "charging" on battery charger. An hour later, I went back and everything was working ... interior lights, nav lights, panel lights, bilge pumps, water pump. Thanks for the suggestions ... another learning experience for me.

FCB