Blue Sea Digital Voltmeter Issue – Any Insight? (Hull #94)

[Mike Maksimchuk]

Hello fellow 355 owners,

Looking for a bit of guidance or shared experience. The Blue Sea Systems digital voltmeter that came stock on our Catalina 355 (hull #94) seems to be malfunctioning this spring. While the boat’s batteries are fully charged (confirmed by handheld voltmeter and our secondary battery monitor), the Blue Sea digital voltmeter on the panel is reading only 0.7 - 0.4 volts.

Some quick facts:

• All batteries (house and backup/start) are confirmed fully charged.
• When the charger is running, system voltage is a healthy 14V.
• The Blue Sea meter, however, is stuck on 0.6V, clearly erroneous.
• The meter only has one button, and according to the online manual, there’s no obvious way to reset it.

It’s worth noting that although this is a 10-year-old system, I wouldn’t expect this kind of failure this soon. I’m curious whether others have:

• Experienced something similar?
• Found a way to reset or recalibrate the meter?
• Had any luck with Blue Sea honoring warranty or offering a replacement?

I’ve gone through the documentation and tried the usual troubleshooting steps, but I’m coming up short.

Would love to hear your experiences, ideas, or recommendations before I look at a replacement.

Thanks in advance!

– Mike

Hull #94, Amadeus

[Marvin Isgur]

Mike,

I had similar problems with my analog voltmeter.  I have a Balmar smart charging system with a toggle switch that changes between using the smart system and the direct read from the Balmar alternator.  It turns out the toggle switch was failing which led to very strange readings.  If you have an aftermarket toggle switch like I did on Hull 3, you might want to check to see if it is functioning properly.  

On Apr 20, 2025, at 11:49 AM, Mike Maksimchuk <mtma...@mtu.edu> wrote:



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[Delbert Patterson]

Mike

There's a three-position switch in the panel below the voltmeter. Toggle all the way to the left to read voltage on one of the house batteries. Toggle all the way to the right to read the other house battery.

There is also a third position intermediate between the full left and full right positions.  In the mid position, the meter is not connected to either battery, but it will pick up some low readings induced by stray electromagnetic fields in the vicinity.  Mine typically reads 0.7 to 0.4 volts when the switch is in the middle position.

Play with that switch.  It should clear up your problem.

Del Patterson

Hull #100, Symphony.

[Mike Maksimchuk]

Del; 

If you have the ability, can you take a picture and identify which switch you are referring to?  I have the battery selector under the nav station - but I don't believe I have any switch under my volt meter in the panel.  It only has one button to change the brightness of the display. 

If it is easier to  text the picture,  my number is below. 

Many Thanks!

Mike

Mike Maksimchuk
295 Indian Bluffs NE | Sparta, MI 49345
email: mtma...@mtu.edu | mobile: (231) 225-5060

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/1004596082.3826206.1745202059189%40mail.yahoo.com.

[Delbert Patterson]

Mike

Second attempt. First try was rejected by google groups because it exceeded the size limit.  Pairing it down to just one photo, photo number (3).  Hopefully it fits now:

I went to the boat today to get the photo you requested.  When I looked at the electrical panel, the overcast and fog from my 76'th winter suddenly lifted unexpectedly.  It's a three-position rocker switch, not a toggle, and it's located just below the voltmeter in a section labeled "Battery Condition" followed by "Battery Test" one line below.  When the rocker is set full to the left, the voltmeter reads from battery #1, when set full to the right it reads from battery #2.  When switched to the middle position, the voltmeter displays some spurious values. Mine read 0.03 volts today.

Make sure that the rocker is set to Battery #1 or Battery #2, and that it hasn't accidentally been nudged into the middle position.

Photos attached: 

(1) Reading Battery 1

(2) Reading Battery 2

(3) Reading with Battery Test Switch in mid position.

Del Patterson

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[Mike Maksimchuk]

Del, 

Thank you! I knew that was in the panel, but never made the connection that it would control the output. Apparently some misfiring in my brain. 

Thank you for taking the picture - I will check it out on Friday when I get back to the boat! 

In gratitude,

Mike

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/1516728223.2930260.1745895381478%40mail.yahoo.com.

<20250428_141328.jpg>

[Mike Maksimchuk]

That was exactly the problem. Thanks for helping me out during a “duh” moment!! 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/1516728223.2930260.1745895381478%40mail.yahoo.com.

<20250428_141328.jpg>

[Delbert Patterson]

No problem.

Glad to help

Del

https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/C0573B69-DBF1-43AC-8A8C-6C974C749415%40mtu.edu

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