SUBJECT: # 27334: Wierd electrical problem - please help

Submitted by Scott K. (68.199.209.241) from NEW JERSEY on 6/26/05 10:25:00 PM

I have not used my GPS/FF in three weeks due to family obligations. It was working three weekes ago.

I Pressed the power button and the usual alarm sounds as it powers up. except the alarm never cuts off and the display never lights up. I turned it on/off many times. Unpluged the power cable and reattached, etc....still the same. I checked the voltage at the battery, switch, pos and negative bus panels (fuse block), and at the power plug. All read 14 -14.2 volts.

I had an extra battery at home and an extra power cable, I used this winter to enter way points and planned routes with. I took the display home and plugged it in. The unit works fine at home, on the bench. I will bring the power cable from hone down and see if it works on the boat. Maybe the power cable on the boat is not working right and the wires are loose inside the plug. I do not know, when I tested with the volt meter, it was fine.

Any suggestions? I am at a loss.

Also....the little map light in the cabin, is not working right either. I checked the volts here too...all 14v. The bulb's filiment starts to glow oragne, but never really lights. It glows orange for a second and then dims to almost nothing. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Scott K.

1. 6/27/05 6:04:00 AM Submitted by Minx (68.107.226.198) from VIRGINIA says Charge your boat battery
   ....or replace it

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2. 6/27/05 2:26:00 PM Submitted by Casey (128.244.195.30) from MARYLAND says Voltage
   Is that with the motor running? Batteries should sit 12.6-12.8V.

   Sounds like low voltage, verify the connections are clean at the back of the unit, then clean them again.

   I had a radio that did this, turns out the connector was dirty and the pins were not making good contact even when clean.

   Casey

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3. 6/27/05 2:55:00 PM Submitted by Minx (138.162.0.42) from VIRGINIA says That and also
   Check all the grounds to the battery, but that map light is screaming batteries to me

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4. 6/27/05 8:02:00 PM Submitted by Scott K. (68.199.209.241) from NEW JERSEY says I do not think its the batteries
   I do not think it is a battery issue, I could be wrong though. The spreader lights turn on bright as a ball field and the engines start right up. As do the rest of the electronics.

   -Scott

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5. 6/27/05 9:29:00 PM Submitted by JackR (208.187.23.201) from TEXAS says Amps
   Scott,

   You will need to work on one circuit at a time. First, you battery voltage is high unless you have a charger running while making you voltage readings.

   Anyway working backwards from you GPS/FF or light you need to find each connection and clean or redo the wire connections. Start with the positive side of the circuits then check the negative. Be sure to check the fuse holders and clean the fuse and the contacts in the holder. All the way to the battery or as far as you need to solve the problem. Sounds lkke corrosion has got you. A digital meter will read the voltage correctly but the corrosion is not allowing enough current to power the load.

   This is not uncommon but it is also a distant diagnosis and cure. Strange you bring this up as I ran accross the same situation last week in a friends boat. His was the conneection at the power buss and the in line fuse holder.

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6. 6/28/05 10:53:00 PM Submitted by Scott K. (68.199.209.241) from NEW JERSEY says problems
   Thanks to all - I will try and tackle the job so I can get back to important stuff - fishing!

   -Scott

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7. 6/29/05 12:01:00 AM Submitted by miker2 (207.241.134.35) from FLORIDA says weak ground
   a loose or corroded connection will give you a proper voltage reading but wont carry enough current to operate the device.

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8. 7/1/05 8:09:00 AM Submitted by Don Fishfiles (67.35.237.25) from LOUISIANA says electrical problem
   could it be as easy as you have the gps wires reversed , positive on negative and vice versa

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