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 .Possible sources?
Fresh: Fresh water system, Deck drain system
Salt: Thru hull, Raw water cooling, shaft packing

Clean: Transmission. Hydraulic. Steering.
Dirty: Engine or genset

High pressure lines and fittings are typical sources.
Color of oil may also indicate source.
Stabilizers, thrusters, anchor windlass, boat davit,
Steering system may have different color fluid. (Hydraulic)

Check power switches
solenoid switches

Check Main DC breaker at Main Panel
Check DC voltage
Check Main Battery Switches
Check Battery Connections

Won’t Charge:
   Check Inverter breaker
   Check AC in
   Cycle unit on and off. Cycle Charge on and off
Won’t Invert:
   Cycle Invert switch on and off
   Check main DC power to unit
   Check power selector switch on main panel if present

Check boats main panel. Ensure Shore power is properly selected.
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.

Overheat: Impeller, Raw water supply, Sea strainer, Coolant.
Oil Pressure: Oil level, Bad sending unit.
Raw water supply: Sea strainer, Impeller.
Shutdowns maybe malfunctioning.

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 water tank level.
Check valve alignment.
Check backup pump.
Check pressure switch.

Vacuflush: Rubber duckbill valves. (can become clogged)
Check for vacume leaks.
Check pressure cutoff switch on accumulator vacume tank.
Headhunter: Momentary touch switch. Adjustable timer.
Water supply selonoid.
Tecma: Duel switch/timer control head.
Built in water supply selonoid and Macerator pump.

Ensure overboard discharge valve is open.

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

Electronics:

Check proper adjustment of:
   Gain, Sea Return, Rain, Tune.
Adjust all for best picture.
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 for TX indicator when Mike is keyed.
Test with other radio if possible.
Check Antenna connections.

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.