I was underway a few days ago and feeling great after installing an inhaul depth transducer P90 when I smelled burning rubber, at first I assumed it was a belt, so idled down and open the engine cover. There was smoke so I tired to cut the engine however the key wouldn't work but after a few attemps with the engine kill pull tab, it shut down. After safely anchoring in the chanel, I did an inspection.
There was a ground wire to the engine block with the insulation completly melted which was smoking, also after inspecting the engine control panel, it looks like the main damage occued there as the ignition switch wires were all burned and smoldering.
Wondering 1. how to isolate what caused the problem? 2. Should do a complete replace of the entire engine panel? or just the ignition switch 3. Should I replace all the wiring from the panel to the engine/etc since some of the wires were melted, they may be melted inside the 7-8wire bundled run which I can't fully inspect.
Boat is a 36C Mk 1 1984 flag 427
Thanks for any and all your help.
Seems like my problem was the amp meter on the instrament panel. Sounds like there was some information that this should be changed out on older boats to a voltage meter. I think what happened was the alternator was backfeeding to the panel and a connection burned out which caused all that amperage to melt the wires & burn our the starter as well.
Anyways, any insight on the best fix? A full new panel and new sensors /alarms or just replace the amp meter and key switch?
Thanks for your help.
Mark
I have a similar vintage 36ft 1986. I am currently researching engine panel upgrade options.
I found the attached artical very helpfull. I will be DIY upgrading my panel and eliminating the ammeter and the trailer style harness connector plus attaching a solenoid on the glow plug circuit.
https://marinehowto.com/universal-diesel-engine-wiring-harness-upgrade/
Cheers
Kevin
1985 36 M1 # 485
Bronte Outer Harbour
Ont Canada
Thank you so much for this link. It was exactly what my problem was and certainly almost caused a boat fire in my case. As you work through your upgrade keep me posted with pictures and i'll do the same.
The other item I noticed in my research is to put in engine temp alarms and raw water flow alarms while you are doing this upgrade which would be nice as well.
Mark