Sea Ray electric panel workings

[Njlarry]

Had first night on new boat, 400 DB, came back to it and all lights were out. Could not figure out why. At 3 am got out the manuel, not much help as functions not really explained. With flashlight tried turning on "port systems" and loud BANG! Thinking I just blew the boat up hurried into the engine compartment and noticed none of the battery chargers were on. Figured out "AC Converter" is Sea Ray for battery charger not air conditioner equipment. Have since learned more of how the electric panel works but still have some questions..
1. The port and starboard system switches must handle port and stb 120 outlets but what causes the big bang everytime the port system switch is put on?
2. Does "head system" only control the vaccum generators?
3. Does "discharge pump" control the sump pump or an overboard holding tank pump?
4. I understand Sea Ray does not have conventional house and starting batteries but instead combined house and starting banks called port and starboard batteries. Is there a difference which house circuits are powered by port or stbd banks?
5. Finally my Sea Ray systems monitor often warns "sump pump alarm". Pushing the reset button does not clear the alarm. Should it?
Sorry for all the questions and a non functioning spell checker. Lots new stuff to learn.

 

[bobeast]

nothing should "bang" when you turn on a switch. That would be the first thing to track down. The head switch powers the vacuum pump and the black water tank level indicator. My guess is your discharge switch is to pump waste overboard, which is generally a no no inside the 3 mile limit. It should be associated with a pump and a seacock which has some kind of interlock to prevent accidental discharge.

Typically one bank will start one engine and power the helm. The other bank will start the other engine and will also be your house bank (fridge, cabin lights, etc). In my case port/helm and starboard/house with the house bank having two batteries in parallel.

Pushing the reset button will only clear the alarm after you have solved the condition that caused the alarm in the first place. Maybe the pump motor is jammed and could be the bang you are hearing?? just a guess.

The first thing to do is visit the owners resources section on Searay.com and download the manuals for your year and model.

 

[Jaybeaux]

but still have some questions..
1. The port and starboard system switches must handle port and stb 120 outlets but what causes the big bang everytime the port system switch is put on?
2. Does "head system" only control the vaccum generators?
3. Does "discharge pump" control the sump pump or an overboard holding tank pump?
4. I understand Sea Ray does not have conventional house and starting batteries but instead combined house and starting banks called port and starboard batteries. Is there a difference which house circuits are powered by port or stbd banks?
5. Finally my Sea Ray systems monitor often warns "sump pump alarm". Pushing the reset button does not clear the alarm. Should it?
Sorry for all the questions and a non functioning spell checker. Lots new stuff to learn.

#1. Big Bang....could it be the Central Vacuum motor running for just a second? Mine did that on my 420. I'm assuming that you're talking about the AC (Alternating Current) side of the Distribution Panel.
#2 & #3. @bobeast answered these.
#5. Have you located and checked all of the bilge pumps, including the forward pumps and high water emergency pumps? I am not familiar with your exact boat, but I would expect that there are some pumps located in the floor hatches down in the salon. You need to locate them and check for operation, stuck float, or even the presence of water.

Jaybeaux

 

[my3sons]

1) answer above is good. Should not be a "bang". Central vac will momentarily run when switching on port systems.
2) Answered above.
3) The "discharge pump" breaker powers up the overboard discharge system for the black tank. To actually discharge overboard, you have to turn on that breaker, then open the seacock for the overboard discharge hose, that has a switch on it that will complete the circuit when you toggle the overboard discharge switch located left of the tank monitor on the panel. So three things to do to discharge overboard: turn on breaker, open seacock, toggle the switch for discharge.
4) the batteries are as bobeast said on my 400db
5)The "sump pump alarm" is the shower sump. The monitor should read "sump pump alarm" when it is pumping. As soon as it stops pumping the reading should return to "Sea Ray Boats-all systems normal". If it is reading alarm constantly, check that the float switch in the shower box isn't stuck on or there is a wiring/short/corrosion issue.

Edit: So that you understand the overboard discharge seacock switch thing, here is a picture. The tab on the handle (red arrow) contacts the switch lever (green arrow) when it's in the open position, allowing the pump to energize when you toggle the discharge switch.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Had first night on new boat, 400 DB, came back to it and all lights were out. Could not figure out why. At 3 am got out the manuel, not much help as functions not really explained. With flashlight tried turning on "port systems" and loud BANG! Thinking I just blew the boat up hurried into the engine compartment and noticed none of the battery chargers were on. Figured out "AC Converter" is Sea Ray for battery charger not air conditioner equipment. Have since learned more of how the electric panel works but still have some questions..
1. The port and starboard system switches must handle port and stb 120 outlets but what causes the big bang everytime the port system switch is put on?
2. Does "head system" only control the vaccum generators?
3. Does "discharge pump" control the sump pump or an overboard holding tank pump?
4. I understand Sea Ray does not have conventional house and starting batteries but instead combined house and starting banks called port and starboard batteries. Is there a difference which house circuits are powered by port or stbd banks?
5. Finally my Sea Ray systems monitor often warns "sump pump alarm". Pushing the reset button does not clear the alarm. Should it?
Sorry for all the questions and a non functioning spell checker. Lots new stuff to learn.

The bang you hear is the battery contactor solenoid closing and making its connection. Just about every circuit in the boat that requires amperage will be controlled by a relay by the switches on the control panel. This is so the amperage doesn't need to be carried by the switch its self. You should hear a bang when either of the DC lines or the generator buss is energized. This is normal.
Carpe Diem

 

[Njlarry]

Wow! Thank you all. I especially appreciate the picture 3sons! When we got the boat both seacocks were open and and still are. They are also very hard to move. I thought the starboard side was for the AC and the port was for the generator. I thought the switch on the port discharge was a lock to keep it open. Will correct that this weekend!
I have read the manuels but they are not always clear except for the legal warning parts. The bang is extremely loud and the vacuum being the cause makes sense. Will confirm that. Makes us jump everytime.

 

[Njlarry]

As follow up was on the boat this weekend and confirmed that the bang sound is the top of the collection drum on the central vac being suddenly sucked in. But at 3 am on first night aboard it sounds like a six foot hole was just blasted out the side of the hull.