Strange...

[seajunkie]

I have two batteries with the 1-all-2 switch, an AC panel and a DC panel.

I was on shore power. The DC lights and radio were working fine. I turned on a DC light that I hadn't used in a while and the radio started to go on and off. I tested the batteries on the panel and the needle barely moved. I turned off that light and little by little the battery volt meter came up to a normal reading of 13 volts again. I turned on that same light and the same thing happened. the other lights did not have the same effect.

The next morning the volt meter read normal but the engine won't even turn over with the battery switch on all.

Could something in a DC light short out the batteries without either triggering the breaker or burning down the boat first? Could it be dead batteries?

[seadog6532]

It sounds like you have corrosion under the insulation to the wires from the light or from the batteries.

[barfwinkle]

I had a similar issue a few years back. It was indeed strange. Turned out the negative engine ground had "almost" broke into. Not enough contact. Replaced the eye, tightened it up & viola!

It's worth checking.

Fair winds

[seajunkie]

Thanks for the ideas, it will give me a place to start looking.