A flashing red light on the 12V panel indicates a fuse is blown, Which switch is blinking? 

If you pull down the 12V panel (it is hinged at the bottom- press hard at the top and the top should pop out) you will find multi layers of blade fuses -some the standard size and other the mini size. I think if you test them all with a multi meter set to resistance touched on the two contacts on the top of each fuse you will find one that is blown. Note that the placement of the fuses is relation to the switch can be confusing - just test them all.  

 

I assume that you have the Würth Panel, which in essence is a glorified collection of switches. The autopilot has a 15 A fuse. I assume that the third switch from the bottom is blinking. This switch controls 3 15 A fuses, one for the nav electronics and one for the Autopilot. If you open the panel you see the row of fuses . It starts with a 10 A followed by 4 5 Amp fuses. These are followed by 3 15 amp fuses, the 1st one is for nav instruments ,the 2nd  is for chartplotter AIS, the 3rd one is the one for the Autopilot!

Or you take the 2nd one from the back. When you do replace the fuse, by all meams switch all power off through the main batt switch. Be very careful not to loose the fuse !  If this happens get it out before you switch power on again. A new panel costs > 1000 €.

 

If you PM me, I can send you the fuse plans for the Würth Panel.

 

Fair winds !

We had the same fuse blow on Hope about 2 weeks after leaving the Hanse shipyard in Griefswald when we were in Sweden. The cause was that the steering cables were adjusted incorrectly by the yard. The cable on the stbd side was fitted so that when on the steering was full over in one direction the chain/cable fitting was being pulled into the steering gear cogs before reaching the autopilot "stop". The AP continued to try to turn further but was restricted by the fitting being crushed in the cogs, the increase in amps would have caused the fuse to blow. I did not know the cause of the fuse blowing until about 2 days later when the steering cable to chain bottle screw on the port steering came completely undone and we lost steering on the port helm. 

To access the steering area you need to remove some vinyl panels at the aft end of the aft cabin on either side. The remove a timber panel and you can then see the steering and if you are flexible enough and slim enough you can slide into this aft void, which I might add is large and virtually unused. I would suggest any 575 owner should check the steering bottle screws on both sides and make sure the locking bolts are tight. I also applied "Loctite" to the threads. Whilst you are there have someone on at the helm turn the steering full lock from side to side to make sure the fittings are not pulled into the cogs. Check this on both sides. Since fixing this steering issue we have not had the AP fuse blow.

 If you are keen to align your steering wheels so they are in the same position relative to each other you can do this by undoing one bottle screw and take the chain off the cogs and rotate that side wheel so it is aligned with the other wheel and then refit the chain, tension, apply Loctite and tighten the locking nuts. Then recheck the steering by going full lock to lock again. You may not be able to get the wheel 100% aligned but at least 95%.

          

 

I have replaced all the cheapo car melt fuses on my Würth Panel with automatic resettable fuses from Conrad Electronics. Learned it the hard was, when I lost a fuse inside the electronics and blew the Würth Panel. Still don't understand why Hanse is using yesteryears chevy technology on their boats

 

 

Now it takes only seconds to restore the power :)

 

fair winds!

 

 

Hi Rick,

no need to remove the fuse breaker once you have slotted it in. Just push the little red button back and "presto" power is on again.

Best regards to beautiful RI

Ive also blown my cockpit table lamp fuse but cant find it. Do you remember where it was?

I have a 415.

Thanks!!

Jeremy

As suggested and assuming it is a blown fuse, I searched for this behind the panel. I think I have tested every fuse on the board without success. Are there fuses elsewhere? 

I would be grateful for any suggestions and advice.

A couple of thoughts:

1.   Yes..  I have found fuses elsewhere.   For example, the autohelm has a 50 AMP fuse in my cockpit locker that for some stupid reason was being fed by a 15AMP fuse.  As the panel had limitations,  I was only able to bump it to 25AMPS.   Meaning the 50 AMP should never blow but the 25AMP will in rough seas.   Nice design...(not)   The wiring diagrams *SOMETIMES* lay out where these fuses are if you have them.

2.   I use "glow when blown" fuses to make it easy to find the blown fuse.   Although I have a wurth panel diagram,  its just easier to spot them rather than counting slots.

I think the flashing red light to the left of the LCD panel in your image indicates a low level warning on one of your tanks (water or fuel) or a high level (>75%) warning for one of your toilet holding tanks. If you press the up or down buttons ( and keep pressing and eventually it should take you to the warning for the particular tank. If you sort the problem (fill water or fuel or empty the toilet tank) the light will disappear. 

Rick, I will look to see if there is an additional fuse elsewhere for the autohelm on our 345.

Wayne, the flashing light is the one on the left - on the navigation instruments button. I understood that this, combined with a solid light next to the Control Panel LED, indicates a blown fuse. Is this correct?

Thanks for taking time to help.

Colin

I think you will find that is two separate issues. A flashing red light on one of the buttons like the Nav instruments button means a blown fuse on that circuit. A red light left of the LCD panel indicates as I listed above in my last post ie a problem with any of the items measured by the LCD screen - fuel, water, sullage or even battery voltage of the house or engine start battery.  

I managed eventually to find the blown autohelm fuse, replaced it and the red blinking navigation light on the switch board has become permanent again and the red warning light next to the LED panel has gone. 

Anyway, this has been two days work and two lessons learnt: first the fuses are completely randomly positioned on the back of the board and secondly it is worth investing in a quality multi meter!

Thanks for the help and advice. Fair winds!

Colin

This was a spectacularly helpful response. Though I have a 588, I have CZone. Nonetheless, I’m on someone’s 575 crossing the Atlantic right now. Had a big blow of a time last night, which took out the autopilot among other things.  I found some other blown fuses, but this one hidden away was it!

Thank you!

Jon

I'm assuming you have these diagrams?   They're for a 575, not 588, but they should be close...