Mysterious low voltage at engine(s)

A/C & D/C Wiring, GPS, Radios, etc.
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Fastjeff
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Location: Rock Halll, MD

Mysterious low voltage at engine(s)

Post by Fastjeff »

Fought this damn problem for over 6 years and I (think) that I may have stumbled onto the solution: Loose connections on that fuse holder in the dash. All power for everything in the dash, along with the solenoid and ignition power, goes through that fuse so if it's got bad connections...

I removed the holder, lubed the connections with electrolytic grease, and crimped them tight.

Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
barkleydave
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Re: Mysterious low voltage at engine(s)

Post by barkleydave »

That's great! Question... what fuse holder? My ignition goes through an Airpax breaker no fuse... Am I missing something?


safe boating,
dave
1987 Marinette 29 FB Sedan
Retired Boat Accident UL and USCG trained investigator
Retired USCG Captain
Fastjeff
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Re: Mysterious low voltage at engine(s)

Post by Fastjeff »

Dave:

Mine has small, black fuse holders right next to the ignition switch.

Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
barkleydave
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Re: Mysterious low voltage at engine(s)

Post by barkleydave »

DAH senior moment Jeff...... I FOUND IT and have serviced it in the past!
1987 Marinette 29 FB Sedan
Retired Boat Accident UL and USCG trained investigator
Retired USCG Captain
Fastjeff
Site Admin
Posts: 1521
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:06 am
Location: Rock Halll, MD

Re: Mysterious low voltage at engine(s)

Post by Fastjeff »

We all have those!

Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
RiverRatt
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Location: Aurora, Indiana

Re: Mysterious low voltage at engine(s)

Post by RiverRatt »

I am working on a low voltage problem also. But mine is at the Port engine fly-bridge. I have checked all of the connections at the flybrige and found no problem. I just fond it It I think. I have key switches in the access pannel behind the lower station. When I remove it the wires fell off. The terminal screw was broke and just barley holding the terminals on. I am going to remove the key switches and just put a breaker switch in.
Bauxite Lady
32' FB Sedan
318 Chryslers

26' Express
318
Ohio River Mile 498
pfhlaw
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Re: Mysterious low voltage at engine(s)

Post by pfhlaw »

My low voltage problem was caused by a bad ignition switch at the lower helm. It was hot to the touch due to high resistance inside the switch. Engine always started fine (cool) but after a day on the lake it would sputter and die as I came into port (hot) and idled down. Replaced 2 lower and 2 upper helm ignition switches.
NIMBUS II
1981 32' sedan bridge
New Buffalo, MI
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