No fuse box power

[wisdodge1]

I finally was able to take my 1-year-old Tracker ProGuide (50hp two stroke) out this weekend since having the powerhead replaced last fall. I noticed the depth finder was not working. I further learned that there is no power to the fuse box. I have no idea how to pursue this and my dealership (if that’s what you call them) is over 100 miles away. Also, the battery is charging when the motor is running. I did notice the voltage jump off scale on occation—is this normal? Does anyone have any suggestions to for me to keep the faith in this Tracker/Mercury combo?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: No fuse box power

Check the area around the battery. The main feed and ground wire for the box may not have been connected to the battery. The + wire should have a fuse in it so make sure thats good.

 

[wisdodge1]

Re: No fuse box power

I don't think there is a separate feed to the fuse box. There is power leading into the engine area. I did trace it to the solenoid(I think that's what it is)just under the starter. From there I'm lost. I think the feed to the fuse box takes off from there????

 

[Silvertip]

Re: No fuse box power

I really question if the fuse box is powered through the engine harness. Certainly possible but that's not the way its normally done and none of my boats was wired that way. If that's the case though, note the color of the wire (probably red) and check for voltage at the other end of the harness. If its not present, there may be an in-line fuse thats blown, or there is a wiring problem between the engine and the control box, or between the control box and the fuse panel.

 

[wisdodge1]

Re: No fuse box power

I checked all that. There is one negative lead going from the battery to the engine block and one positive lead leading to the engine solenoid or I think it's a solenoid below the starter. From there the wires are a web. The cabling leaving the motor traveling to the front panel looks intact with no fuses or connectors leading to the fuse box. <br /><br />What gets me is the service manager at the Tracker dealership I bought this from insisted(over the phone) that there should be several positive and negative lines off the battery. I am very reluctant to take it back to them.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: No fuse box power

Start from the fuse box. There should be a ground buss with a wire that runs back to the engine block or to the battery. The 12V buss feeds all of the fuses and that should run to a hot, 12V line in the engine harness or again, back to the battery through an in-line fuse or breaker near the battery. Since engine manufacturers have no idea how many or what type of accessories are installed on any given boat, powering the fuse panel through the engine harness is not typically done due to wire size/current carrying capacity concerns. If your accessories work and there are no fuse panel connections at the battery, power is likely supplied through the engine harness.