Beta Marine BV1903 Operator's Maintenance Manual page 19

Electrical fault finding & trouble shooting –engines built after July 2005 only
The following chart is compiled to aid diagnosis of electrical faults, based on the Beta 10-90hp range of
engines. If your engine was built before July 2005, contact Beta Marine for the relevant electrical
trouble shooting guide.
Standard sea specification engines (heat exchanger cooled) are supplied with a single alternator,
mounted port side, supplying power to starter battery and control panel.
Standard canal specification engines (keel cooled) are supplied with twin alternators:
st
•
1 alternator, mounted port side, supplying power to starter battery and control panel
nd
•
2 alternator, the standard mounting position for this is above the engine on the starboard side (or
st
below 1 alternator on 75 & 90hp), supplying power to the domestic battery system.
Both of these alternators work independently, if the domestic battery system is disconnected, the engine
will still run correctly but:
•
Domestic charge warning lamp will not function
•
Warning buzzer will remain on at all times
Standard control panels are supplied with four or five lamps:
Four lamp panels:
Five lamp panels:
All Beta panels have the following warning lamps:
Starter battery charge warning lamp
•
High engine temperature warning lamp
•
Low engine oil pressure warning lamp
All panels also have:
•
Panel power on (this is not a warning lamp)
In addition to above the domestic panels also have:
•
Domestic battery charge warning lamp
With keyswitch* in run position & engine off:
•
Red lamp for no starter battery charge should function
•
Red lamp for no domestic battery charge should function (Note: this will only function if a second
alternator is fitted to the engine and connected to a charged battery)
•
Red lamp for high engine temperature should not function (when engine is cold / cool / warm). This
lamp will only ever function if the engine is over temperature.
•
Red lamp for low oil pressure should function
•
Green lamp for panel power on should function
•
Buzzer should sound
* For operation of engines controlled with keyless panels refer to 'Correct operation of keyless
panels' later in this section
When the engine is started, all the red warning lamps should switch off leaving just the green power on
indication lamp illuminated. The oil pressure lamp may take a few seconds to switch off and the charge
fail lamp may remain on until engine rpm is increased to approximately 1,000rpm if the engine was
started at tickover).
Before investigating any specific electrical problem, always check:
•
Connection between panel harness and panel loom. It must be clean, dry and secured with a cable tie.
•
Check the start battery is connected to the correct terminal on the starter motor.
•
Check the domestic battery is switched on and connected to the correct terminals for the 2
•
Battery connections, inspecting condition of cables from battery to engine. If in doubt measure the voltage at
the engine.
•
If alternator charge problem, measure battery voltage with engine off
and again with engine running, if there is an increase alternator is
functioning correctly, if not refer to check list.
Typical start battery positive
Typical start battery negative
Note: The two way plug on panel loom will only have a
corresponding socket to connect into from the engine if a 2
alternator is fitted which requires this connection. Engines with
only one alternator do not utilise this connection.
2a, 2ab'V', 2ab'V'W and 2b, these panels utilise bulbs inside sealed lamp
holders
2ab'd' and 2c'd', these panels also utilise bulbs inside sealed lamp holders,
having an additional lamp for domestic battery charge
18
(2a, 2ab'd', 2ab'V', 2ab'V'W, 2b, 2c'd')
Red
Red
Red
Green
(2ab'd', 2c'd' only)
Red
nd
nd
alternator.