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The Checklist

Troubleshooting

Basic rules of thumb.
    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.

Electrical:
    Cycle on/off switch then check to ensure:
      AC/DC power supply
      cycle breaker
      check power connections
Water/liquid in the bilge:
    Fresh or Salt?
    Taste test.
Possible sources?
Fresh:
    Fresh water system
    deck drain system
Salt:
    Thru hull
    Raw water cooling
    Shaft packing
Coolant:
    Will have definite color and smell.
Fuel:
    Typically valves and fittings.
    Color and smell.
Oil:
    Clean or Dirty?
    Trace back to source.
    Clean:
      Transmission.
      Hydraulic.
      Steering.
    Dirty:
      Engine or genset
Hydraulic oil:
    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

Hydraulic Systems:
    Check power switches
    solenoid switches
Shore Power:
    Check boats main panel.
    Dock breaker, boats’ main breaker (usually located near shore cord entry)
    Test dock plug, test/inspect shore cord.

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

Genset shutdown: Overheat:
    Impeller
    Raw water supply
    sea strainer
    coolant

Oil Pressure:
    Oil level
    Bad sending unit.

Raw water supply:
    Sea strainer
    Impeller.

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

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

Air Conditioning:
    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.

Electronics:

Radar:
    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.

Depth Sounder:
    Check gain adjustment.
    High frequency for shallow water.
    Low frequency for deep water.

AutoPilot:
    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.

The ChecklistClick to purchase the
printed version of
The Checklist.


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