I had a suspicion of a power leak in my DC system so did some diagnostics yesterday. I have a solar panel running when not on the boat, so it has not been a high priority to solve (the batteries are always fully charged when I get to the boat), but I wanted to determine if it was real. I took all the negative leads off the batteries and then put my ammeter between the negative lead and the negative post of the house battery. I have a Blue Seas “add a battery” rotary switch which isolates the start battery from the house battery. I normally leave this switch on so that the emergency bilge pump switch and LED courtesy lights will operate. Those are the only things I know of that still work when the panel switches are all off. I measured a 100 mA with the rotary switch on and all panel switches off. I measured 0 mA with the switch off. I thought it might be the automatic bilge pump, but that is a mechanical float switch and disconnecting it had no effect. So either I am getting current through the panel with all circuit breakers off or this somehow relates to the battery isolation in the Blue Seas ACR system. Any thoughts from the geniuses on this list as to where to go next diagnosing this? Also, is 100 mA a significant drain? Thanks- Dave
Aries 1990 C&C 34+ New London, CT
_______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
