Bonding System; Electrical System Maintenance - Monterey M3 Owner's Manual

Electrical System
Battery Charger Operation
AC electrical current is supplied directly to the
automatic battery charger which is mounted in
the engine compartment. The battery charger
automatically charges and maintains the 12-volt
batteries simultaneously when activated. It is fully
automatic and equipped with led lights to indicate
the state of charge for each battery.
Charging for the batteries also can be monitored
by using the voltmeter in the engine gauge cluster.
With the charger activated, turn the ignition key
switch to the "ON" position. DO NOT START THE
ENGINE. Then read the voltage on the volt meter.
If the batteries are in good condition and charging
properly, the voltmeter will indicate between 12
and 14.5 volts. If the reading is below 12 volts,
then the battery is not accepting a charge or the
charger is not working properly. Always turn the
ignition switch off immediately after the monitor-
ing is complete.
The wires that supply DC charging current to the
batteries are protected by an internal fuse in the
battery charger and external fuses, one for each
battery output wire, located near each battery.
The external fuses protect the DC charging circuit
from the batteries to the charger. The internal
fuses in the charger protect the DC charging circuit
from the charger to the batteries. See the battery
charger manual for more information.

6.5 Bonding System

Your boat is equipped with a bonding system that
interconnects the outdrive underwater metal hard-
ware to the engine block to ensure that they are
of the same electrical potential. Sacrificial anodes
of the size and type recommended by the engine
manufacturer are attached to the outdrive. If your
boat is equipped with optional trim tabs, they will
be isolated from the boat bonding system and
equipped with sacrificial anodes to protect each
tab plane assembly. Anodes deteriorate before the
other metals, thereby protecting the underwater
metals from galvanic corrosion or stray electri-
cal current. Since the anodes are sacrificial, it is
important to monitor them and replace the them
when they have deteriorated to 50 - 75% of their
original size.
The engine bonding system is connected to the
DC ground and, if your boat is equipped with the
optional battery charger, the earth ground wire
for the AC electrical system. It provides a path
Battery Charger
to the safety earth ground in the event of a fault
in the shore earth ground connection.

6.6 Electrical System Maintenance

12-Volt AC Electrical System Maintenance
At least once a year, spray all exposed electrical
components behind the helm and in the plugs, with
a protector. Exterior light fixture bulbs should be
removed and the metal contact areas coated with
a non-water soluble lubricant like Teflon or silicone
grease. The sockets should be sprayed with a
protector. Care must be taken not to get any oil
or grease on the glass portion of the bulbs as this
will cause the bulb to overheat and burn out.
CAUTION
WHEN REPLACING LIGHT BULBS IN MARINE LIGHT FIXTURES,
ALWAYS USE A BULB WITH THE SAME RATING AS THE ORIGINAL.
USING A DIFFERENT BULB COULD CAUSE THE FIXTURE TO
OVERHEAT AND MELT OR SHORT CIRCUIT.
Inspect all wiring for proper support, sound insu-
lation, and tight terminals. Check all below deck
wiring to be sure it is properly supported, that the
insulation is sound, and that there are no loose or
corroded terminals. Corroded terminals should be
thoroughly cleaned with sandpaper or replaced,
tightened securely and sprayed with a metal and
electrical protector. Inspect all engine wiring.
MONTEREY
BOATS
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