Turning Diesel Key Off?

[Idiens]

Both my engine handbooks are very specific about not turning the key off until after the engine has been stopped.

[teshannon]

My Yanmar manual says the same thing.

[sailingdog]

Bump-

You really should be leaving the key in the "ON" position as long as the engine is running. While you're probably not affecting the charging system, you could be doing a few other bad things to your engine or boat—depending on how the electrical system is wired.

[SEMIJim]

Bump,

What does your ammeter tell you? You should see it charging for at least a brief while after you start the engine, due to the starter drain.

I don't have a diesel, but it's my understanding that you're not supposed to turn the key off until the engine's stopped.

Jim

[CapnSantiago]

Ok, some say it did no damage (I like this answer the best), some say it could have. Let me clarify that the remote battery charging monitor I am refering to is for the shore power battery charger not the alternator. I have no monitor for the alternator charging. So I'm wondering if the monitor has quit working or if the shore pwer charger itself has quit working. I have a small electrical multi-tester that I have tried to use but I haven't been able to detect if the charger is working (volts/amps are not my strong suit...I know I need to learn). I did get a reading on one battery of just over 12 volts and on the other of just under 12 volts, but still don't know if or how that tells me wether or not the shore power auto charger is working. I don't know how I'm suppose to know if the alternator is working or not (other than removing and taking for testing as suggetsed).

[camaraderie]

If your charger is plugged in and working you will get at LEAST 13+ volts as a reading at your battery terminals with the charger on. (14.4V or so would be normal bulk charging voltage and around 13.4V if the batteries are already pretty well charged. You should be able to get similar readings from your batteries when unplugged from shorepower with the motor running.

[sailingdog]

IF the alternator is working and you have a voltage regulator, you should be getting at least 13.4 VDC off of the electrical system.

If your shore power charger is working and plugged in, you should also get at least 13.4 VDC off the electrical system.

If your batteries are reading under 12 VDC, then they're not anywhere close to being fully charged and in need of charging, which likely means the shore power charger isn't working.