Official 1998 Sea Ray Sundancer 290 Thread

[Tacoma290]

Shark, you need to decide how you will be using the boat. We spend a lot of time on a mooring buoy and didn't have a generator. So battery capacity was a big deal on the house side.
I had 2 group 31 deep cycle on the house side and a group 27 dual purpose on the other side. My thought was that even if I ran the house down all the way (don't do it!), I could still turn over the other engine on the group 27 and use the solenoid switch to start the house engine.
Both sides were AGM to make life easier on the charger (battery chemistry should ideally match).

On my newer boat, I have switched from AGM to standard wet cell, since I want to have an excuse to be in the bilge periodically anyway. And buying a replacement battery is so much easier.

 

[Shark]

Ok very interesting. Thanks for taking the time to explain your setup and why. Appreciate it!

 

[Strecker25]

Anyone with EFIs want a rinda code reader? It’s not the full techmate just the little plug in reader that also can set base timing. I think I paid $110 for it, $70 to your door.

This one, 4th down: https://www.rinda.com/marine/marine.htm

I also have an unopened fuel pressure adapter with a Schroeder valve, and a Sierra fuel pump that has 20 hours on it. Let me know if anyone wants them

 

[Jeff Delbuono]

Stretcher, ill take the rinda. How much for other stuff. Can you PM me for info

 

[Jeff Delbuono]

Does anybody know what the blue box in the engine compartment power. It is on the wall next to the water pump and ac pump.

 

[Jeff Delbuono]

Think the gremlins got me. Now my norcold refrigerator is not getting cold. It has power to it because i can see the green light on at the switch. Worked great till yesterday when i got to boat and everything was warm. Could this be tied into my air conditioning problem or is it a new problem. Was on shore power and still not cold. Any clue what to check. Could the house battery be the problem? Thinking even with shore power if the batterie is dead or week it could cause these kind of problems. Any help would be great

 

[Little Ducky]

What is everyone using as a AC filter?

I've been using a "cut to fit" filter ..... any better alternatives out there?

 

[Shark]

What is everyone using as a AC filter?

I've been using a "cut to fit" filter ..... any better alternatives out there?

This is what’s on ours. I just washed it off about a week ago.

View attachment 91747

 

[Jeff Delbuono]

I have the same filter as shark. Think that is the OEM one that came with boat in 98. I just wash it off and put it back

 

[Getaway]

Think the gremlins got me. Now my norcold refrigerator is not getting cold. It has power to it because i can see the green light on at the switch. Worked great till yesterday when i got to boat and everything was warm. Could this be tied into my air conditioning problem or is it a new problem. Was on shore power and still not cold. Any clue what to check. Could the house battery be the problem? Thinking even with shore power if the batterie is dead or week it could cause these kind of problems. Any help would be great

Jeff,
Isolated, new problem for sure, not tied to batteries and definitely not tied to the AC. That's exactly how my old Norcol crapped out (in my previous 268). There are a few HVAC people around that could probably fix it for you. Otherwise, there is a good replacement unit that will fit in that space but the new ones are a lot heavier and not cheap, but they run on about 1/2 the energy.

 

[Jeff Delbuono]

Getaway,
Do you know the make and model for it. If i cant fix it looking to get a direct plug and play replacement. Hoping its a simple fix. Found out today before i really dig into it that my next door hoat neighbor came down to his boat and said all the breakerd were tripped to his fridge just about the same time mine went and took a crap. He thinking we had a power surge or some type to do this to us. Turned all breakers to fridge off and gonna go back tomorrow to do some more searching. When i hit breaker to fridge liggt comes on. If i play with switch in fridge i can hear a hum. Did not have enough time to let it get cold before i left and hope it was just a reset

 

[Getaway]

Jeff,
I haven't measured the opening on our 290's, but this is the one that fit in my 268. I think they used the same size fridges in the 290's.

https://norcold.com/product/norcold-nr751-ac-dc-refrigerator/

I did have to do a very slight trim job to squeeze it in, but it pretty much fit right into the opening of the old fridge.

 

[Getaway]

I just measured the opening for the fridge on my 290 and that new Norcold NR751 will slide right in there.

 

[Jeff Delbuono]

Great thanks for the info. Pulled the old norcold out and played with it a bit. If it sits with no power for a bit when i turn it on the fan starts to go and all is good for about 30 seconds. Then i hear a click at the metal thing ontop of the power box and fan goes off. Not sure what it is called. ( arrow to it ) is this something i can just order and replace or am i just looking for an excuse not to drop $1,000 boat bucks

 

[Getaway]

Jeff,
This is my guy and he is awesome. He's a long way from you, but he may be able to help over the phone and send you the part(s) you need. He is the best and very helpful and accomodating.

Michigan Mobile RV Repair LLC
Tyler: (989) 239-0486

Good luck!
Bob

 

[Jeff Delbuono]

Sorry. This is pic of what i am taking about

 

[Shark]

Ok this might seem like a strange question, but I’ve seen so many unique, creative ideas on these forums, I figured I’d throw it out there - has anyone extended the legroom, temporarily just for sleeping, in the V berth? I’m thinking about making a some type of little support, or table, that we can put at the bottom of the V, with a cushion, just so we can stretch out and sleep better. Has anyone done anything like this, or anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Getaway]

Ok this might seem like a strange question, but I’ve seen so many unique, creative ideas on these forums, I figured I’d throw it out there - has anyone extended the legroom, temporarily just for sleeping, in the V berth? I’m thinking about making a some type of little support, or table, that we can put at the bottom of the V, with a cushion, just so we can stretch out and sleep better. Has anyone done anything like this, or anyone have any suggestions?

So I'm not the only one that thinks the V-Berth sucks...LOL. The way the wife makes me sleep (she's a little claustrophobic), I end up with my feet jammed against the little closet on the port side. That thing is getting close to being ripped out and replaced with a filler cushion. This is the one thing I miss about my old 268. I slept like a baby in that ole girl. This new boat is not quite as comfy-cozy in the sleeping department.

 

[Shark]

So I'm not the only one that thinks the V-Berth sucks...LOL. The way the wife makes me sleep (she's a little claustrophobic), I end up with my feet jammed against the little closet on the port side. That thing is getting close to being ripped out and replaced with a filler cushion. This is the one thing I miss about my old 268. I slept like a baby in that ole girl. This new boat is not quite as comfy-cozy in the sleeping department.

Nope you’re not the only one, LOL! I’m going to try rigging something to fit in the aisle between the galley and dinette, so we can actually stretch our legs!

 

[Jeff Delbuono]

Update on ac. Its fixed. YAY..... after doing 50 hours of research on line, testing all breakers and scrathing my head bald i finally opened up the control box. There is 2 - t50 fuses in the box that were blown. Here is what ya have to do. Remove panel in rear sleeping area (4 screws ) that will give you access to ac and control box. Turn off ac breaker. Remove box from wall. Open and replace 2 fuses. Mine looked fine but i guess after 22 years they did their job. $2 boat bucks. Not bad