While changing zincs I noticed a brown wire hanging loose at the end of the engine block/instrument panel terminal block. It appears to be a wire coming from the engine wiring harness. BUT ALL of the terminal fittings are filled with 12 wires coming off the wiring harness.
The engine instrument panel seems to be operating normally...although in normal conditions the temp. gauge and oil pressure alarms/lights do not come on.
It is a C-36, #1245, built in 1992. I am the original owner. Lots of upgrades and replacements over the years could have caused the "brown wire' to be 'set aside'....and replaced by something else.
I am attaching a photo and a wiring diagram.
Can anyone identify its original purpose...should it be doubled up with another wire in the terminal block...or just left alone (clipped off or taped up)?
thanks...Brian Giersch
New Bern, NC
Encore C-36, #1245
Brian,
Here is a link to Catalina Direct showing the wiring diagram for one of the engine harness. Mine is on the boat, but I remember several brown/tan wires and very similar in color.Do not remember having any left over choices or doubling up on any terminal. Tan appears to be temp related while brown is the tach
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/feature/73/z2644--z2855-instrume...
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
Brian,
In the wiring diagram that Gary posted, brown/tan seems to be related to temp (tach is grey). Assuming that in your pic the wires leading down go to the engine (and up goes into the wiring harness), I'd get out your trusty multimeter and do some checking. With the ignition turned off, and the multimeter on the resistance (ohm) setting, put one lead on the end of the mystery brown wire, and then try the other lead on some of the temp fittings on the engine. One of them will most likely be the same color brown/tan as the mystery wire. When you find the other end of the mystery wire, you will know what it is for, and what it should connect to at the engine panel. Trace that color from the engine panel back to the term strip, and you will have the missing connection. My guess is that the engine works perfectly without the mystery wire connected, but you don't have an important temp gauge or alarm connected. Hope this helps.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Good chance the brown wire is the original stator wire from the alternator which feeds pulses to the tachometer. Since this is not connected and assuming your tachometer is working, it suggests that you have gone to an external alternator regulator, using the tach output of the regulator and a new wire, perhaps retaining the brown wire as a fall back. The fourth terminal from the left is likely where the brown wire originally attached to; the terminal where there's a wire with a piece a tape on.
Ring a bell?
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor
My thanks to the guys who replied....and a 'shout out' to Tom Sokoloski for still hanging in there and being active with the Assoc. and its members!! Steve had hit the nail on the head....a upgrade MANY years ago to a Balmar alt. and external regulator replace the brown wire...made it unnecessary (?)...a trusted mechanic figured it out in only a few minutes...we cut off the exposed copper and tied back the unused wire at both ends!!
What an Association!!
Thanks for the support!
Brian Giersch
Encore #1245
Opps....special note should have gone to Nick Cabbellero....not "steve"
Thanks again to the three guys who replied!
Brian Giersch
Former Commodore/former Fleet Relations Officers
New Bern, NC
Encore, #1245
upgrades: everything!!
Attached is a simplified schematic for my pedestal panel. The one in the user manual leaves much to be desired. Please be aware there might be slight variations from year-to-year. You'll find this schematic and some basic electrical and instrument skills in the Spring 2016 and the upcoming Summer 2016 issues.
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor
Thanks Nick for sharing the schematic - now stored in my boat data!
---- Howard & Linda Matwick ----
--- S/V "Silhouette" - Nanaimo, BC ----
--- 1999 C36 MkII #1776 M35BC ---