[pwilliams55]

I have a Catalina 27 (~1986) with a Universal M18 diesel engine. I went out the other day and while motoring I noticed the tachometer dropped to zero and the battery charging gauge (ammeter?) as well. Boat was moving along as normal though.

A couple days later in the slip I started her up with a some throttle in neutral. After 20 seconds or so, the RPMs and battery charging drops to zero. I have posted a video of this happening. You can hear a change in sound too when it drops.

Any advice on what to look for here?

Thanks

 

[chuck53]

You might do better putting this in the "Gear and maintenance" forum. You have an engine and instruments issue, not a Catalina issue. Although, I'll be interested in any responses you get as I have the exact panel on my C-34.

 

[CalebD]

Yup.
Look for a wire coming off your alternator that runs to the tachometer.
This wire is likely not very well connected - electrically or mechanically.
The alternator provides the engine rpm information to the guage.
Have seen this before on a friends universal diesel.
When the wire is disconnected the tach seems dead. Could also be a short along that wire.

 

[pwilliams55]

Thanks! I will check wiring and tell you what happens.

 

[CLOSECALL]

I have a similar problem.

A few weeks ago while motoring out of the marina a guest slipped and kicked the throttle lever. The rpms jumped way up b for a second or two until I was able to throttle back. Immediately the tachometer, which had always worked perfectly, dropped down to around 1500 when it should have read 2000. It eventually dropped to about 500 and then would wander back and forth from 500 to 1500. Sometimes it rests on zero. All the time with no change to the actual engine rpms and also no response if I do move the throttle.

The engine is a yanmar 3g. I have looked for a loose wire on the tach and alternator but haven't found anything. The yanmar manual says there is a sensor on the engine, but I can't find it. It seems like it ought to be somewhere near the crankshaft. I think it would look like a temperature or oil pressure sending unit.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Maine Sail]

Thanks! I will check wiring and tell you what happens.

Check the 12V+ excite wire to the alt. It looks like your alt 12V excite wire is being interrupted which then shuts down the regulator thus shutting down the alternator. The alt sounded "loaded" so I would not assume it is shutting down for over voltage/full..

 

[MarkSF]

It could also be a temperamental ignition switch. Had to change mine a couple of years ago for this fault.

 

[pwilliams55]

One year later and I am following up I think I found the excite wire you are describing. Please see attached pics. I pulled the blade (?) connectors apart. Doesn't look too healthy. Do you recommend cleaning this up or new wire ? Could this corrosion cause my issue. I appreciate the advice.

Thanks

Peter

 

[pwilliams55]

So this is resolved. I had a mechanic stop by who tightened wires on alternator and put a new V belt on. One of those touches fixed the issue.

 

[MarkSF]

The question would be whether you still have the infamous trailer connectors in the wiring between the panel and the engine.

In my opinion, it's all substandard - bad connections in the trailer connectors, bad connections at the starter and alternator, poor quality inline fuse holders, non-tinned wiring, wiring of insufficient guage, and so on.

I finally bit the bullet and replaced all the wiring between the panel and the engine.

The alternative is to firefight as problems present themselves, which they will continue to do.