Bow mount fish finder won't power up

[KDAVID1]

I have a 1991 Ranger 354V-which has an electrical panel on the bow of the boat. The panel has two rows for ground (3 upper and 3 lower) and the
same for power. I checked at the panel connection and get 3amps(using volt ohm meter) I get the same reading on the power cord for the fish
finder--but the fish finder will not come on. I have a Hummingbird 570 (just bought today) as well the same issue on an Eagle 320 which is fairly new only a couple of years old and only used a few times (bought the Hummingbird to replace the Eagle (which I will mount later on my console). I have tried the readings with both the inline fuse holder in palace with a new fuse and well as directly connected (which is fused at the console as well I believe). Per my dad all was working previously (boat has been set up for 2 year but runs great (took it out last Tuesday). Any Ideas? Thanks

 

[j_martin]

Re: Bow mount fish finder won't power up

If you get 3 amps into a dead short (amp meter) then the wire is frayed somewhere. Hold the meter on it for about 30 seconds, then grab the fire extinguisher and follow your nose.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bow mount fish finder won't power up

Three AMPS measured from what to what? I suggest you learn to use the VOLTMETER portion of the meter rather than the AMMETER feature. You measure AMPERAGE in SERIES with the load -- not across it. You measure VOLTAGE across the load (+ to -) not in series with it. You set the meter to read VOLTS DC (not VOLTS AC). You then place the POS probe on the +12 volt side of the circuit and the NEG probe on the GROUND side of the circuit. If you read 12.6 volts (battery voltage) or close to it, then the power source is OK. If not, work back toward the battery until you pick up 12.6 volts again and fix the problem.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Bow mount fish finder won't power up

Thanks for the info--I actually did check voltage as well--only get .03 volts when meter set on 20. I should be getting at least 10v.
I did check the running lights which are on the panel (with a toggle switch) and the motor trim works (on a separate toggle switch) So im thinking there must be a wire disconnected on the fuse panel by the quad. or a wire disconnected further back--am i looking in the right
direction?
I also checked the trolling motor (just to make sure I had the meter set correctly) and did get 12+volts.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Bow mount fish finder won't power up

It was probably 3 ma (.003 amp)

What you have is a plain old ordinary bad connection. You're seeing the leakage current through the bad connection.

Could be a crimp, fuse holder, rivet on the fuse holder, etc. Many of these faults were caused by those infernal 3M quick connect IDC splices.

This is why I tore the tube type fuse panel out of my 22 year old bass boat and put in a new ATO panel. I got tired of standing on my head under the helm in a rocking boat trying to get things working.

Things get to be really fun when someone installs a depth finder, radio, etc. that comes with it's own marine handicapped inline fuse holder, and installs it with the fuse holder behind a panel. Some years and corrosion later, it fails and is hidden from view.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Bow mount fish finder won't power up

You are correct on the 3ma. I will be getting some proper splices and such and go from there.
My main panel is ATO so that is good. I greatly appreciate your help.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Bow mount fish finder won't power up

Problem solved. Rewired 3amp inline fuse and changed a 10amp fuse on the panel by the quad. All works. Thanks again for your help.