Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: Paulus on April 09, 2014, 12:30:12 PM

Title: Distribution Panel
Post by: Paulus on April 09, 2014, 12:30:12 PM
What purpose does the little indicator light(red) located under the voltmeter on the DP serve?
Paul
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Craig Illman on April 09, 2014, 02:31:38 PM
From memory, it's probably the reverse polarity light.  :roll:
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: sailaway on April 09, 2014, 02:44:44 PM
Yes the small red indicator lit on the panel is reverse polarity. On my 1986 Charlie
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Paulus on April 09, 2014, 04:09:45 PM
I have a green and orange  lights on the AC side of the panel for reverse polarity.  This is on the DC side and according to my manual, this is wired  to the common on the battery switch and therefore just an indicator light to show that power is on when the battery switch is moved to #1, both or #2???
Paul
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: patrice on April 09, 2014, 05:53:30 PM
Hi,
I would agree with Paulus for the light.
Same on mine, exept is green when battery is on.
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Stu Jackson on April 09, 2014, 06:43:37 PM
Quote from: Paulus on April 09, 2014, 04:09:45 PM
I have a green and orange  lights on the AC side of the panel for reverse polarity.  This is on the DC side and according to my manual, this is wired  to the common on the battery switch and therefore just an indicator light to show that power is on when the battery switch is moved to #1, both or #2???


Paul,

Can you get us a picture?  I have an '86 and our panel is different.  Your PO could have upgraded the panel, I don't know...

We have RP lights on our AC side (http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,2620.msg13781.html#msg13781), and a green indicator light on the DC side.  Simple.
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Paulus on April 09, 2014, 06:49:42 PM
Yes, I will send a pic.  Going tomorrow to install the ACR .  The DC side is red.
Paul
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Paulus on April 10, 2014, 11:22:38 AM
Here is my pic.  The small white circle in the bottom right is where the green indicator light goes.  Had to order one.
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Ron Hill on April 10, 2014, 02:46:42 PM
Paul : You did the right thing in sending a picture as each year Catalina change the main electrical panel - WHY is unknown!!

Don't see any little red light under the voltmeter!?!
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Paulus on April 10, 2014, 04:07:27 PM
Ron, the red light was taken out and I put a small white plug in the hole, until the new light comes in.  It never worked and I broke it taking it out. (white little button in the bottom right hand beside the voltmeter and under the switch)  Sorry.
Paul
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: patrice on April 11, 2014, 08:34:55 AM
Quote from: Ron Hill on April 10, 2014, 02:46:42 PM
Paul : You did the right thing in sending a picture as each year Catalina change the main electrical panel - WHY is unknown!!

Don't see any little red light under the voltmeter!?!

I would add, within the same year  :D ..... I also have an 1989 model, but with a different panel.
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Ron Hill on April 12, 2014, 09:48:30 AM
Paul : Follow the wires of the little red light and that will tell you what it's attached to. 
I'm sure that the light was a break in the + wire.

a thought
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Paulus on April 12, 2014, 12:42:29 PM
Thanks Ron, the wire was broke and I  managed to break the light in taking it out.  New was ordered.
Paul
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: TonyP on April 12, 2014, 11:05:17 PM
Here is a pic of our panel for reference to show changes
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: lazybone on April 13, 2014, 06:55:33 AM
Quote from: TonyP on April 12, 2014, 11:05:17 PM
Here is a pic of our panel for reference to show changes

I have the identical panel but hull number 677? :?
Go figure.
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: 2ndwish on April 13, 2014, 08:06:18 AM
Our 87 had the green DC indicator light and no voltmeter. It burned out several times and since we found it to be fairly useless, we replaced it with a small LCD panel meter (slightly bigger hole). Three years later, still works and now instead of trying to guess what an unlit light means, I can get a quick idea of the battery state by knowing the voltage. The panel meter was cheaper than the replacement light (which is actually a bulb) from Seaward.
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Ron Hill on April 13, 2014, 01:17:08 PM
Paul : after looking at your panel again, I believe that light is the DC power ON light. 
In most Catalinas that color DC power light is either blue or green, and NOT red (for a warning!).

a thought
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Paulus on April 13, 2014, 05:19:50 PM
Ron, it is red and was wired for power on. Checked it twice.
Thanks,
Paul
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Paulus on April 14, 2014, 12:45:20 PM
2nd wish
Do you remember the model of the digital voltmeter you installed?  How much bigger was it than the old voltmeter?
Paul
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Ron Hill on April 14, 2014, 02:24:14 PM
Paul : Most analog Voltmeters have a 2" to 2 1/16" cutout hole.

Pop your out and measure because there are digital voltmeters that are that size. 

A thought
Title: Re: Distribution Panel
Post by: Paulus on April 17, 2014, 01:37:20 PM
Order the new indicator light(green to replace the red) Installed today.  Works great.