Greetings to all, hope your summer sailing is going well.
I’ve been following recent discussion on engine alarms. This slightly different question leads me to start another thread. How to connect engine temp/oil pressure alarm device?
I bought a dual alarm - light and audible signal - with intent to install it beside panel in cockpit. Then I looked at my owners manuals (engine and Nonsuch). The panel and wiring diagrams for my Westerbeke 22 are very vague esp. in regards to what is sometimes seen as item 30 - alarm.
Does anybody know how to directly wire such an alarm to the panel? (1983 Westerbeke 22). Is there a ‘direct connect’ from some combination of panel terminals to an alarm device?
Many thanks,
Greg Silver Misty Cat 26C #121
St. Peter’s, Cape Breton Island
The obvious connection is the hot (positive) wire to the system from the ignition switch. Everything else would be a ground wire to the various sensors on the engine. Didn’t your alarm system come with a diagram??
Joe Valinoti
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
The stock alarm buzzer is in the electrical panel and is powered by turning on the ignition switch.
The diagram shows a #10 black power wire running from the engine panel to the engine wiring harness to a connector where it feeds the fuel lift pump and alternator EXC (exciter?) and this alarm beeper.
So if you want to install a new alarm at the panel you connect it to the ignition on positive side and you have to run a new wire from your new alarm to the existing alarm wire at the engine after you disconnect from the fuel lift and alt EXC.
I don’t see the point though. The new alarm I just wired in replacing the dead 30 year old stock one was a beeper salvaged from an old computer case and it’s piercing wail can be heard anywhere on the boat. Main function so far has been to remind me to switch off the ignition and to annoy the wife so it may get taped over soon. My panel is inside the lazarette so a light would be useless.