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Bertram 390 engine room fire/overheat monitor system

Discussion in 'Bertram Yacht' started by Brian Carey, Jun 8, 2021.

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  1. Brian Carey

    Brian Carey New Member

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    Oct 9, 2019
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    CT
    Recently upgraded my dash panel with all new warning lights and electronics. Looks like some of the warning light bulbs were out as my engine room temp light is now stuck on. Tried researching this and finding very little info, but basically the engine room temp light stays on, and will not shut off after pushing the silence button. not sure if it is the temp sensor or the board that controls they system. See attached photo of both the board and the wiring diagram. Not sure where to start. I think pulling those fuses will probably turn the light off, but that is the wrong answer. Any help would be appreciated! IMG_1611.jpeg IMG_1612.jpeg
  2. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    S. Florida _ Bertram 46
    Once had both a fire light & alarm bell that would not turn off. Turned out the little round heat sensor mounted on the engine room ceiling wend bad. I think it was N/O and found it trial & error by disconnecting a wire at a time as there was another under the aft deck. Never found the exact replacement but one for a home alarm worked just fine.
  3. yotdr

    yotdr New Member

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    Brian,
    Would it be possible to get a clearer copy/photo of the Paneltronics alarm system wiring diagram you posted? I'm working on a Bertram 50 that has some alarm issues and it would be most helpful. Can you send it to [email address removed] Thank you, John

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  4. Brian Carey

    Brian Carey New Member

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    HI John,
    I will be down at the boat this weekend and will get you a better copy.
  5. yotdr

    yotdr New Member

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    Thank You! Much appreciated.
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    That setup is similar to the Hatteras panels. Thru the years have been troubleshooting Hatt panels issues.
    Sometimes a bad sender, bad wire crimp. Also bad solder joints on the board and a few bad integrated chips (ICs).
    Ensure those ICs are plugged in well. Just a nice finger push STRIGHT down.
    You would just have two different IC sets in there; The detector and the alarm driver.
    The ICs are cheap. Just read the number off of them and find a vendor thru Google.
    On a cold and windy night, Look them up anyway and order some spares.
  7. yotdr

    yotdr New Member

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    Same here. Many countless hours over the years working on Hatteras System Monitors. Seen all of the culprits you mentioned. What made repairs possible was their terrific documentation and schematics provided to the original purchaser. I've made copies of all those documents and keep a supply of the IC relays, although it's been some time since I've come across the older boats here on the west coast. The newer sys mon panels are a dream in comparison to the older versions. The paneltronics boards that Bertram used are a much simpler version, but unfortunately I've been unable as yet to locate a board schematic. The closest was a simple wiring diagram of the external connections. With that I should be able to get all the monitoring issues ironed out. Fingers crossed. Thanks for the input Ralph.
  8. yotdr

    yotdr New Member

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    Brian,
    Were you able to get better copy of the alarm wiring diagram?
    Thanks
  9. yotdr

    yotdr New Member

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    Hey Brian,
    I don't know if your following this thread or not, just thought I'd try and give you some insight as it related to my customer's issues on his Bertram 50 (especially since the schematic you provided was so helpful. This boat has 4 alarm boards just like the one you showed a pic of. Port and Starboard engines, Flood/Fire, and a Halon Fire Suppression system. All 4 boards are the same with the exception of the Fire/Flood and Halon boards have a large relay for the loud bell under the bridge.

    I made a circuit board test set (thanks in part to the schematic you shared) that, with the board removed, connects to the left and right terminal blocks. The test set has switches that mimic the normally closed sensor inputs on the left terminal block, and indicator lights and switches that connect to the right side terminal block, mimicking the inst panel indicator lights, test switch, mute switch, as well as a sonalert buzzer for the audible alarm.

    Using the test set I was able to easily find and replace the bad relays, as well as one socketed relay that was upside down. This got all of the alarm boards functioning properly. This included the test function, mute function and the audible alarm test. Once this was done, I connected all of the original wires on the right terminal block (lights, audible alarm and test/mute switches. Using my test set (could have used clip leads but heck, I already built the test box) I triggered each one of the alarm sensor inputs on the circuit board and checked the bridge instrument panel for functionality. Since I just built and installed a new instrument panel I didn't have to check for burned out indicator bulbs. I triggered each sensor switch and verified the correct light was lit, that the audible alarm was triggered and I could mute the audible sound (while the indicator stayed lit)

    This test proved the functionality of both the alarm circuit board as well as the instrument panel and alarm buzzers/bell on the bridge. Next I disconnected the alarm test box from the left side terminal block and connected up the vessels sensor wires. Several engine alarms came on when the mains were running and I was able to then work on fixing a couple broken wires and replaced one pressure sender that was bad.

    It took a while to make the test set, but that made testing and repairing the alarm issues go pretty quick, especially since I was by myself on the job. In designing and building the new instrument panel, I really wanted to maintain the Bertram alarm systems if possible, along with adding some new features to the panel like 4 digital voltmeters for the various battery systems. It turned out great and the owner was very happy with the finished product. Inst Panel.jpg
  10. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    Location:
    S. Florida _ Bertram 46
    That test jig sounds like the way to go as after the wiring of my new panel all the indicator lights from the ER alarms AND the two engines are lit up and my 3 alarm boards look EXACTLY like the photo Brian posted here. After the tech removed the panel I noticed the 3 ER H/W indicator lights on the 24 volt panel in the salon were lit up. It was end of the day and he said probably due to the removal of one of the ground wires on the bridge; not to worry about it. So fast forward over 3 weeks for the new panel to arrive and when wired up not only do those 4 new LED indicator lights light but also the 4 for EACH engine.