What Causes An Amp To Blow

[phipps]

It is starting to look like I have a blown amp on my 71 60hp Johnson. I still have to check the points, but I have no "glow" when I did the test that Joe Reeves suggested using a test light. I put a voltmeter on it and also get no voltage while cranking so either it's the amp or bad points, but that is not what I'm asking here.....

What can cause an amp to blow? I've read that low voltage can do it and I plan on doing the diode jumper that Joe Reeves suggests. I'm just concerned that the condition that blew it, if it is indeed blown, is still there and would blow a new one.

One other question, in reference to Joe Reeves test: do I need to remove the blue wire from the terminal board and connect it to the test light or do I just touch the test light wire to the terminal board?


Thanks!!

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: What Causes An Amp To Blow

What are you talking about? Not trying to be smart but I have no clue.

 

[phipps]

Re: What Causes An Amp To Blow

I'm talking about the amplifier in the ignition system.

The Joe Reeves post I'm talking about is here: http://forums.iboats.com/showpost.php?p=1311998&postcount=2

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: What Causes An Amp To Blow

If its the original amp then its 38 years old. Anything man made will eventually fail. But I do understand your concern so using your manual test all the other components. Thats about all you can do.

 

[phipps]

Re: What Causes An Amp To Blow

It's a Sierra unit and looks fairly recent so I know it's been replaced at some point in the past.