Troubleshooting

Keep bilges clean and dry.
Understanding how a piece of equipment or system functions is key to troubleshooting its malfunction.
Most electrical problems are caused by bad connections. Many problems can be solved by turning the unit off and back on. In essence hitting the reset button.
Smell can indicate problems. Coolant, overheated batteries, fuel system, black water all have definite smells.

Cycle on/off switch then check to ensure:
AC/DC power supply
cycle breaker
check power connections

Fresh or Salt?
Taste test.

Fresh water system
deck drain system

Thru hull
Raw water cooling
Shaft packing

Will have definite color and smell.

Typically valves and fittings.
Color and smell.

Clean or Dirty?
Trace back to source.
Clean:
Transmission.
Hydraulic.
Steering.
Dirty:
Engine or genset

Trace back to source:
High pressure lines and fittings are typical sources.
Color of oil may also indicate source.
Stabilizers, thrusters, anchor windlass, boat davit, steering

Check power switches
solenoid switches

Check boats main panel.
Dock breaker, boats’ main breaker (usually located near shore cord entry)
Test dock plug, test/inspect shore cord.

Check boats’ main panel.
Check main breaker on Genset.

Impeller
Raw water supply
sea strainer
coolant

Oil level
Bad sending unit.

Sea strainer
Impeller.

Valve alignment
Pressure setting/valve
Filters
Salinity level
High pressure pump oil level.

Turn Power off and back on to Pump.
Hit reset if present.
Check pressure switch.

Ensure system is selected to cool or heat.
Raw water cooling pump.
Air handler screens. Check if dirty.
Compressor may need recharging.
Check circulation water level and pressure.

Check proper adjustment of:
Gain, Sea Return, Rain, Tune.
Note: Any one of these can eliminate the picture.
Check for accurate alignment of the radar picture.

Check gain adjustment.
High frequency for shallow water.
Low frequency for deep water.

Check or adjust rudder settings.
If the pilot has trouble holding a course or struggles
In a following sea, the settings need to be increased.
Check rudder feedback unit next to steering gear.
Compass may not be properly swung.