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Bad breaker....Bad breaker |
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Bremsen 
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Joined: June-26-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 171 |
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 Topic: Bad breaker....Bad breakerPosted: August-02-2011 at 6:16pm |
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Chasing an electrical gremlin. Problem started last August and I'm just now getting to it (had other issues to resolve).
Boat runs great and then power will slowly turn off (over about 3sec) to the entire boat. Power returns after a while. So this weekend it happened again and I traced it to the main breaker. However, the breaker wasn't actually tripped. A couple light taps on the button (pushing with finger does nothing) and it resets. Add'l info: I upgraded the Alt, wire gauge and installed a 60A breaker about 4 years ago, up until last August I've had zero issues. I've installed a mild stereo and PP. I can't imagine drawing 60A under operation and the issue doesn't seem to be load dependent (ie, I can run the boat and all lights/accessories and it won't trip the breaker). Its almost like the breaker simply gets hot from surrounding heat (it is August) and pulls contacts just enough to severe the connection but not trip the button. Is this common? Anything else I should be checking? TIA |
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: August-02-2011 at 7:14pm |
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An Ohm reading across the breaker will tell you if it's bad. You should get close to zero Ohms. Get the meter out!!!
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Bremsen
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Posted: August-02-2011 at 7:22pm |
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10-4. I'll take a look. So far my experience with the MM is limited to checking voltage. I've got lots to learn.
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: August-02-2011 at 8:12pm |
Ryan, Just twist the knob on that VOM over a couple notches to the Ohm scale!!!  Ohm's are simply a measure of resistance. The higher the resistance across a switch/breaker, means the contacts are bad. Disconnect the load side wiring before you get the reading. This will eliminate any resistance reading from other electrical in the boat.
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Bremsen
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Posted: August-04-2011 at 9:15pm |
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Thanks Pete! I know the basic terminology just not how to test some of the different components. Definitely appreciate the insight/tips.
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Bremsen wrote: