Digital speedometer keeps resetting when using trim or other electronics, shorting ou

[eighty2scrambler]

Hi all,

I have a 1998 4.3L Merc with alpha one outdrive. I have on my boat a Perfect Pass System (Digital Speedometer) which controls the speed for Wakeboarding and such..., Recently, when I use the Trim, up or down, my speedo will kick out and reset until I let go of the trim button, then it has to boot back up again (take about 5 seconds to do that).

The same thing will also happen when I pull any juice from the DC JACK.. last night I was using a spotlight plugged into the DC jack, when I woudl turn it on.. the Perfect Pass Would reset again...

ObviouslY i have a short somewhere, New Battery, New ends to the cables and new starter syl.

Any suggestions would be great

Thanks

 

[eighty2scrambler]

Re: Digital speedometer keeps resetting when using trim or other electronics, shortin

I also forgot to mention, I have a battery switcher with two batteries..... I haven't checked inside that.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Digital speedometer keeps resetting when using trim or other electronics, shortin

You don't have a short but you may have a battery that is not holding a charge. Your boat should have a voltmeter. What does it read 1500 RPM. Anything less than 12.6 volts says the alternator is not working. At idle, watch the voltmeter as you hit the trim switch or plug into the 12V jack. If the voltage drops you have an electrical system that is not up to par. Trim and whatever you are plugging into the jack is apparently pulling the voltage below the safety threshold for the speedo. Electronics generally have low and high voltage cutoff circuitry to protect the unit from over and under voltage. When you hit the trim you drop below that threshold.

 

[tommays]

Re: Digital speedometer keeps resetting when using trim or other electronics, shortin

You need to check the basic things like good connections as the trim pump has its own set of battery cables and has a VERY HIGH current draw ,100+ AMPS when trimming up

All the electric power on most Merc powered boats passes through the 10 pin motor plug which is protected buy the 50 amp breaker on the motor, The plug pins get corrosion over time and need to be cleaned

The plug always looks perfect on the outside