Control box SHOCK!

[EJ3]

I put my boat in the water for the first time this weekend. Not a good time, it just gave me more things to fix!

Anyways, almost everytime I touch the remote/control box I get shocked, BAD! Any part of the box I touched would do this. I checked for a bare wire inside but didn't see one! Does anyone have some advice?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Control box SHOCK!

That would make for a hair raising experience, no pun intended. What boat and motor are we talking about here.

 

[crb478]

Re: Control box SHOCK!

Get a multi meter or a test light and touch the wires individually. 12 volts is grounding through one of them somewhere. I would start at the switch. Remove it and check wach wire for cross over volltage.

 

[EJ3]

Re: Control box SHOCK!

1977 55hp Johnson, I guess that would help, huh!

And one more thing...

Is the control box supposed to be grounded? I have a wire going from the ignition switch (ground) to the metal housing of the control box.

 

[EJ3]

Re: Control box SHOCK!

Get a multi meter or a test light and touch the wires individually. 12 volts is grounding through one of them somewhere. I would start at the switch. Remove it and check wach wire for cross over volltage.

I would love to do what you told me to, but I have no idea what to look for. I have a multimeter!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Control box SHOCK!

I assume you are getting shocked with the engine running, and not when it's shut off. A short of 12V to ground is not giving you a shock. That blows fuses and burns up wires. If you are getting shocked while running, there is either ignition leakage or the stator is leaking voltage up the wire harness to the control box.

 

[EJ3]

Re: Control box SHOCK!

I assume you are getting shocked with the engine running, and not when it's shut off. A short of 12V to ground is not giving you a shock. That blows fuses and burns up wires. If you are getting shocked while running, there is either ignition leakage or the stator is leaking voltage up the wire harness to the control box.

That does make sence! I have a manual for the boat that has a wiring diagram in it and everything seems to be in place. I have taken a look at the wires, they are old, but still seem to have their protective coating in tact. Although great advice, I have no idea how to identify such a problem and solve! Sorry, NEWB here!:redface:

 

[F_R]

Re: Control box SHOCK!

The yellow/black wire carries 300 volts from the power pack to the ignition switch. The switch grounds that voltage to shut the motor off. It is conceivable that you are somehow getting leakage from that wire. However, the box is supposed to be grounded. So, if the 300V is leaking to the box, it would seem that the motor wouldn't run. Still, I would say that is where you should focus your search. My guess is a leaky ignition switch and the box not grounded. 12volts won't shock you, but 300 will certainly get your attention.

 

[EJ3]

Re: Control box SHOCK!

Oh yes, this shock gets my attention, unfortunatly I found out it intenseifies when my hands are wet!!!:redface:!!!!!!!

Does the control box need to be grounded to something? If so, what?

As of right now there is no wire going anywhere outside the control box.

 

[F_R]

Re: Control box SHOCK!

You mentioned that you have a wireing diagram. I don't have one for that motor, but look for a black ground wire incorporated in the cable between the box and grounded somewhere on the motor. I'm quite sure that there will be one in there.