View Full Version : VHF blowing fuses
The newest problem to the new boat....
Tuna fishing last week, the VHF went out. Finally got around to diagnosing the problem. The inline fuse was fine but blew the 3 AMP fuse under the helm. SO.... out in the driveway, I tried a 5 amp and it blew that. happens as soon as I key the mic. It is a Lowrance .
I am sure it's all warrentied, but, Any idea's before I trailer her up and lose the boat for another week or two?
StickFish
07-23-2007, 03:57 PM
The newest problem to the new boat....
Tuna fishing last week, the VHF went out. Finally got around to diagnosing the problem. The inline fuse was fine but blew the 3 AMP fuse under the helm. SO.... out in the driveway, I tried a 5 amp and it blew that. happens as soon as I key the mic. It is a Lowrance .
I am sure it's all warrentied, but, Any idea's before I trailer her up and lose the boat for another week or two?
Put a 10 amp fuse in there and see what happens - VHF rigs at 25 watts will draw at least 7 amps
IDWITHELD
07-23-2007, 07:51 PM
I would hit the Lowrance web site and find out what fuse is recommended. I usually start there.
Herring Problem
07-24-2007, 02:59 PM
Just a guess, but sounds like a dead short form the antenna. You said , blows fuses when keying the mic..
Had similar problem on customers boat, found the antenna wire outer casing to have been pinched or cut and the ground shield had a metal contact. Key the mic up and the fuse would blow.
And for sure only put hte recommended fuse in the line, as anything heavier will cause more internal damage the the circuit board in the radio.
Maybe,
the mic was dropped hitting the deck really hard? Could be broken wire in mic. Just a thought.
Is the radio ubder warranty, might have to send her in and have her checked out. I think Rogers Marine does this service in Portland.
Catching Nemo
07-24-2007, 03:20 PM
You mentioned that the inline fuse (3 AMP) for the radio has always been fine. Are you running anything else off of the 5 AMP from the fuse block?
You mentioned that the inline fuse (3 AMP) for the radio has always been fine. Are you running anything else off of the 5 AMP from the fuse block?
The fuse in the block is what blew, it was a 3 amp, which , like said above, seems light, but it blew a 5 amp too. There is an inline fuse to the radio beyond that, old style can discern what size it is. I will try the 10 amp in the block, as if theres a short more than that the inline should blow right?. Alumaweld dealer probably just put too small of fuse in it. I will check with Lowrance as well, ( when I get back from San Francisco), foggy and mid 60's here today.
There is nothing else to that fuse on the block
Hope you all slay the tuna this weekend or whatever it is you fish for--THANKS
thanks to all, I put a 10 amp fuse in the block and it seems to be working fine. The company must have just missed it. I sure hope theres someone out there that has bought a new boat and not had the inummerable problems this boat has had. Problems that should not have happened that is. Jeeez. If we could just keep it to normal boat/ boating issues it would be nice. I know things break.
StickFish
08-02-2007, 10:34 PM
Good news there Davy, ya that 3amp fuse was a tad light. Now get out there and catch some fishies