I'm in trouble!

[MRAvenoso]

Ahoy all!

I'm a new owner of a 1993 Carver 440Aft Cabin and am wondering what I got in to.

The wiring has been cannibalized over 30 years and I have absolutely no manufacturers manuals, drawings, schematics NADA Nuthin....

Numerous problems have arisen in the short month since purchase and I'm losing faith.

So lets start with the easy stuff

What is the mystery switch under the windlass switch on the upper helm for? The previous owner has no Idea.

And not so easy...
I attached shore power at the marina I'm at and I had voltage and things all worked. Then they didn't. So I replaced all the cables, and splitter/adapters with new. twin 30A 125 to single 50A 125/250 then back to twin 50A 125 to tie into the boat. I see voltage for about 1 min then it all goes away. I checked the shore power at the plug and I see voltage. Everything works perfect when I'm operating on generator power.

And Finally
I would give my firstborn male child (relax I only have girls) for any information, especially wiring, manuals, drawings ANYTHING


That said I would appreciate any help, advice, narcotics, hammers, and/or hemlock to help me figure this thing out. I have a decent background in this stuff but the rats nests are aggravating me now.

I'm 66 retired (disabled) an 8 year Submarine veteran (operated the nuclear propulsion plants) and spent the rest of my life in critical environment infrastructure.

I'm always up for a challenge but this is ridiculous.

Thanks for your help
God Bless
Mike

[km1125]

First, WELCOME ABOARD!! Post up some pics of the boat when you get a chance!

On the "mystery switch", if the previous owner didn't know, then likely no one here will either. You can post up some pics of it and we can start guessing, but you might end up having to trace some wires to see where it goes.

There is a member here who uploaded all the old CARVER documentation to a website where you can download it. You can search on here to find the thread or someone might have it handy and post it.

As to the shore power issue... what kind of transfer switch do you have for the generator/shore power selection? If you don't have a manual one, then you likely have a set of relays in a box that makes up an automatic one. Those relays can go bad and cause the problem you're seeing. You might toggle back and forth from the generator to see if that will get your shore power working again (basically cycling the relays in hopes they make good contact). There are a couple threads on here where folks have worked on those relays and have some part numbers and sources.

[pepmyster]

Welcome to the best group! Too bad were not close cause I also love a challenge. One problem at a time, took me time to figure out with the PO did on ours too, now, we're almost smooth sailing. Good luck and don't forget, there is a lot o f great people here to help!

[bud37]

Welcome to the forum.....thanks for posting your question in the right place , so I guess you are working on the electrical first. Not in trouble at all , just the same boat as many people with boats owned by multiple owners that have been at many different marinas.

I second the transfer switch judging by the boat working fine on the generator. Good place to start, I believe the contacts can be cleaned if that is the problem that you have. Try to go thru one system at a time and with your background I don't see a problem except for patience ...

I would also go thru the bonding and grounds on board.....good luck with your project.

[Polestar]

Welcome to the group. I hope you can find the above noted documents that have been posted by a member. That would be the easiest way to get hold of a manual, etc. I own a 1997 Carver 445, which is essentially an updated 440. I have the manual that came with the boat and would be glad to share that with you, but copying it wouldn't be an easy task since it is a pretty thick book. I am home for the winter in western Nebraska which doesn't make things any easier (but I do have the manual with me). Unfortunately I have found that the schematics, etc. in the manual are just the starting point and all the work done since then by previous owners can make the schematics irrelevant. I ended up hiring a marine electrician to help me sort out the sins of the previous owner. Good luck.

[bud37]

Just to add an after thought if you don't already have this stuff.......get yourself a good quality DVM with functions and a couple 20' to 30' lengths of 16/18 gage wire with alligator clips attached for checking circuits. It will come in handy believe me.

[plittle2005]

Fwiw, I have the Owner's Manual for my Carver 3307 Aft Cabin. I can't attach a .pdf evidently. PM your email address and I'll send it to you.

Plittle2005@yahoo.com