[C38] up-grading electrical system

[tdtron at earthlink.net]

Patrick,

Steve Smolinske is correct about upgrading the original wiring.

There are actually three important wiring upgrades to the Catalina 38, the lighting wiring, the mast wiring, and the alternating charging circuit.  All three are important but the alternating circuit is the most dangerous situation and important modification.

The series wired amp meter in the engine control panel should be discarded and the alternator charging circuit should be taken directly from the alternator to the batteries through a heavy fuse or breaker and very heavy wire.  This charging wire should be fuse or breaker protected on both the battery and alternator ends.  

You can replace the amp meter with a marine grade volt meter if you want but the alternator harness wiring should be completely replaced and should bypass the original wiring harness plug connector that connects the engine harness with the engine control harness.  The plug WILL eventually fail with the high amperage of the alternator going through it and it will very likely cause an electrical fire as the plug burns up the remainder of the harness wires causing dripping, flaming wiring insulation into your engine compartment.  This could seriously degrade your day. 

Tom Troncalli


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Steve Smolinske 
To: Catalina 38 Listserve
Sent: 7/6/2012 11:15:25 AM 
Subject: Re: [C38] up-grading electrical system


Patrick, 
 
It’s a good idea to upgrade your harness from the original for safety reasons first, all others second,   the original harness can become cracked, the connectors inside where not that good and the wiring goes through the amp meter in the cockpit and is undersized
 
Steve
 
From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of 1derful at comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 5:51 PM
To: Catalina
Subject: [C38] up-grading electrical system
 
I met a fellow this weekend who recommended upgrading my "elcetrical harness"? to one with more amps.  He said the batteries would charge better.
Is that worth while?
My boat spends most of its life tied into shore power.
Patrick



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