COUNTESS 44

The basic electrical system consists of two 155 amp hour 12 volt batteries connected in parallel.  These are charged and augmented by a 100 amp alternator driven off the main engine.

Your COUNTESS may also have a shore power converter and a 3-kw 110 volt AC generator, in which case, the batteries can be charged at the rated capacity of the shore power converter, either from shore power or from the 3-kw generator.  Either system may be used; but CAUTION -- not at the same time.  When using the main engine, the switch breaker marked, "Converter" should be turned off.

MAIN SWITCHBOARD - This board is located aft, main cabin bulkhead, port side.  The board consists of 18 circuit breaker switches protecting the various circuits; an indicator light showing (when lighted) that the board is energized; a volt meter which shows the conditions of the batteries at all times; a 100 amp meter that shows the amount of charge going into the batteries, and a rotary selector switch, which is used to isolate the deck windlass from the electrical system when the windlass is in use.

With the switch at number 1, the entire electrical system, with the exception of the deck windlass, is shut off.  In the daylight hours, this is the method you will use.

With the switch at number 2, the windlass circuit is off, and the boat's lighting and power is turned on.

As there may be times when the windlass will be used after dark, provision has been made that in the position marked, BOTH, the lighting and the deck windlass are on.  You will realize, in this position, a minimum amount of lighting should be used.

In addition to the main switchboard is a small 5-circuit distribution panel located on the port after bulkhead of the deckhouse.  This controls the navigational and spreader lights.  General boat lights are individually switched.

PLACING BOARD IN OPERATION - Turn rotary switch to position marked (2). You will notice the voltmeter will now read, and the indicator light will be lit.  You can now energize any or all pieces of electrical equipment by pushing the switch breakers in.  You will find they are all property identified with nameplates.

To shut off any piece of equipment, you pull the breaker switch out.

MAIN ENGINE - Is a Lathrop Diesel, fresh water- cooled, by a heat exchanger.  The raw water sea valve is located in the machinery space on the port side of the engine adjacent to the reduction gear.

MAIN ENGINE STARTING - Same starting precautions should be taken as with any boat engine; i.e., blower should be run to free engine compartment of any fumes; fuel turned on; crank case oil level checked; make sure seacock for salt water is open.

To start engine, the push-pull switch located at the top of the navigational panel, just inside the deckhouse, must be put in the ON position.  This also energizes the alarm system and instruments.

As this engine is equipped with a single lever control, it will be unnecessary to make sure it is in the neutral position, as the starter cannot be energized in any other position.  By pushing the handle inboard, the starter button is depressed and the engine should start.

In case the battery is low, by pushing the EMERGENCY Start button at the same time, the lighting battery is placed momentarily on the starting circuit to help in the starting operation.

Once the engine is started, release the control handle, and the idling speed can be adjusted by the knurled control at the base of the handle.

THE FUEL SYSTEM - Consists of two tanks in the engine compartment, one port and one starboard with a shut-off valve at each tank.  You may draw from either or both at one time.

 Recommended fuel for this engine is either Diesel Fuel #2, Texaco, Esso, or the equivalent.

DIESEL GENERATOR - The Diesel Generator is located under the cockpit just aft of the deckhouse ladder, and can be serviced by removing the ladder.  This generator is a 3-kw ONAN 110 volt AC and is fully automatic in operation, in as much as when the demand for it comes on, it will automatically start.

It has an automatic transfer switch so that it is impossible for it to start when the shore power is plugged in.  In case of failure to start, refer to ONAN Manual supplied.

FRESH WATER PRESSURE PUMP - This is located in the machinery space and is fully automatic, with a safety dry-tank shut-off.  Again, if trouble occurs, refer to the Peters and Russell Manual.

REFRIGERATOR - The refrigerator unit is 12 volt DC, salt water cooled, as manufactured by the Grunnert Company.  The compressor is located in the machinery space and, again, is a fully automatic piece of equipment.  Service Manual is furnished.

The salt-water intake seacock is adjacent to the compressor and the salt-water discharge is visible above the water line for checking purposes.

ELECTRIC BILGE PUMP - Is located in the machinery space on the port fuel tank foundation.  It is a manual type pump and must be switched ON and OFF at the main switchboard (breaker marked "Bilge Pump").  This pump discharges into the port scupper drain.

SUMP PUMP - For the shower is located under the shower pan; is a fully automatic type pump and discharges through the seacock in the hanging locker, starboard side.

ANCHOR WINDLASS - Is manufactured by the Ideal Windlass Company and is energized as previously explained.  It is operated by a foot switch on the forward deck, adjacent to the windlass.

ENGINE ROOM BLOWER - Is located in the port after locker in the deckhouse and discharges through a scoop type ventilator on the port side of the deckhouse.  It is a manual type blower operated from the breaker switch on the board marked "Blower".

The lighting batteries are located in a battery box that is accessible through a hatch under the deckhouse ladder.

The engine starting battery is located in the machinery space adjacent to the main engine.

AUTO PILOT - The automatic pilot is manufactured by the Bendix Company on the boat with a Simplex Steerer.  It is located in the Lazarette directly under the Simplex steerer.  The control for the pilot is in the deckhouse on the starboard after bulkhead.

With the Edson type pedestal steerer, the pilot is located on the starboard side under the cockpit, and is accessible through the sail locker.  Again, the control is the same as with the other model steerer.

AIR CONDITIONING - You may, also, have air conditioning aboard your COUNTESS, and this can be of the reverse cycle type, whereby it will furnish heat as well as cooling.  The compressor for this unit is located in the machinery space on the port side of the main engine.  The seacock for this unit is adjacent to it.  This unit incorporates twin discharges visible in the boot top on the port side.  It is furnished power from the main switchboard breaker marked "Air Conditioner".  You may refer to the Cruisair Manual as to its operation.

ELECTRONIC GEAR - Your COUNTESS may be equipped with electronic gear; i.e., fathometer, apparent wind indicator, or speedometer.  They are located in the cockpit on the forward bulkhead under the companionway hatch, and are powered from the electronic breaker on the switchboard.  They are controlled from inside the teak lockers on each side of the ladder in the deckhouse.

FRESH WATER SYSTEM - The basic system consists of two integral, molded fiberglass tanks which supply a hand pump in the galley and one in the lavatory basin.

Your COUNTESS may also have pressurized both hot and cold water, plus a shower in which you will have the pressure pump, and also a hot water heater which is heated from the main engine cooling system.  Also included with it is a Calrod immersion heater, which heats the water by the 110 volt generator; or, from the shore power.

The discharge for the galley sink is through a selector valve under the basin which, normally, will direct the drain through the seacock located in the adjacent locker; or, may when the boat is sailing heeled over, be directed to the shower sump pump, which will automatically pump it overboard through the seacock in the hanging locker.

The shower sump pump has a separate switch that is located on the side of the vanity in the head, properly identified with a nameplate.  This will allow you to shut off the sump pump while sailing to stop it from starting and stopping as the boat heels.

The lavatory basin drains into the head, and may be pumped overboard.

The seacocks for the head are located in the locker under the basin.

EXHAUST SYSTEM - Is a 21/2" dry exhaust properly lagged to a standpipe Monel muffler located in the forward portion of the port sail locker, then becomes a wet system from there to the stern.

VENTILATING SYSTEM - Engine room ventilation is furnished by two ventilators located on the after side of the coaming at the after end of the cockpit.

Living spaces ventilation is furnished through Dorade ventilators and a ventilating type hatch on the forward end of the deckhouse.