johnwater Posted September 5, 2016 Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 Hello , I am new to this site for Path owners and enjoy looking through the various issues and solutions. If this is not the proper site for this topic,please someone let me know. I have a electrical problem that happened while running my Path 22xl in open water,would like to know suggestions what I should do if this happens again.I have been boating/fishing for many years but have never had this happen before. Bought my boat new in 2014,and have about 175 hours of engine running time. My main battery switch, blue seas M series,suddenly came apart and loss structural integrity while doing about 40 mph .Yamaha 150 ,all electronics suddenly shut down. Even my trolling motor,which was wired into the switch,also would not work.Luckliy i got a tow back to marina. 980022110-001-m-series-strainrelief-maxtorquec.pdf Close inspection of the switch showed that the m5 screws that hold the front to the back just lost purchase in the plastic,causing the whole device to come apart.appears that the screws were too short, IMO. Called Blue Seas,they apparently were aware of a batch of these switches,they sent me a new /improved version.It also came with a flier recommending strain relief for the cables on the back of the switch.I also asked for a quick get me back to the marina solution to bypass the switch,but no answer on that problem. I have enclosed pics of the switch,and the flier instructions that came with the new switch. Would like to know from others in the forum if jumping the common from the engine to start battery with jumper cable would have got me started to get back to marina without tow,or is there a better way. My switch is located at helm on center console,but back of switch was inside of console,so connections may have been difficult Also my batteries(3), are inside the console. thanks john watermeier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted September 5, 2016 Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 Before being towed, I would have taken the battery cable going to the engine and wired it to the positive side of my cranking battery or the positive side of the switch. i believe you could have used the boat that way until your new battery switch showed up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted September 5, 2016 Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 Several members have had battery switch failures. Mine fell apart after one year. I'm convinced the some of these switches are broken or partially fractured while installing at the factory. The switches are only held together with 3 or 4 small screws and when you put too much torque on the back side while connection the big battery wires, something has to give. When you get a new switch, take it apart and install the battery wires to the backside first. Torque as much as you can while holding half of the switch in your hand. Then with the help of another person, reassemble the switch working from inside and outside the console. If this happens again, you can connect the common battery wire to the wire going to #1. Basically, you are bypassing the switch, but it will get you home and everything will work. Need to keep a 1/4" X 1" bolt in you tool box to make this work. Also have some wire ties handy to keep this hot connection away from other wires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonV Posted September 5, 2016 Report Share Posted September 5, 2016 Yes Sir John those screws are a bit short, actually a lot short!! "Knock on wood", but all the Blue Seas products I've bought have worked flawlessly. I'm surprised they let this out the door. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shindig Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 2 hours ago, SCFD rtrd. said: Several members have had battery switch failures. Mine fell apart after one year. I'm convinced the some of these switches are broken or partially fractured while installing at the factory. The switches are only held together with 3 or 4 small screws and when you put too much torque on the back side while connection the big battery wires, something has to give. When you get a new switch, take it apart and install the battery wires to the backside first. Torque as much as you can while holding half of the switch in your hand. Then with the help of another person, reassemble the switch working from inside and outside the console. If this happens again, you can connect the common battery wire to the wire going to #1. Basically, you are bypassing the switch, but it will get you home and everything will work. Need to keep a 1/4" X 1" bolt in you tool box to make this work. Also have some wire ties handy to keep this hot connection away from other wires. I had the same thing happen to me and for a fix out on the water I connected all wires to #1 bypassing the switch and giving me power to everything. Blue Seas replaced the switch. I invested in a spare switch which I now carry with my emergency gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang190 Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Mine came apart after about a year. I noticed that it was assembled wrong and the back side cracked and came apart. I bought a new switch at West Marine and installed it the right way and have had no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pmckh Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 I had mine split in half recently during an offshore trip. I didn't notice it until I got home on my lift and went to turn the power off. Mine happened at just under a year and about 65 hours. My boat was due in for some warranty work anyway so I replaced it in order to take the boat in and asked the dealer for a spare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 I just had it happen. Call blue seas , its covered under warranty and the new one is a little more robust than the original. I now carry a spare but you can just jump a couple of wires. While you are at it tell them the TM switch feels a little loose as well and they will send you another one. good people to do business with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 never heard of so many battery switches falling apart (blue seas). if it were I, I would switch to perko, seldom hear of a problem with them. never had an issue with one. jmo, fin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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