When I run my 40hp Lark at half throttle my compass spins like crazy. What would cause this? Ignition problem? Never had this issue before till today while out fishing.
I thought of that also....if I take the compass out of the bracket and hold it in my haands it still does the same thing....spins counter clockwise...I also tried my hand held compass.... same thing...does not spin if I get close to the motor....but if I move it near the battery or ignition switch....it spins....this is new to me.....lol
Motor runs smooth at all speeds. I have replaced the coils and caps 3 months ago...its been fine till this past weekend when the compass starting spinning. I am beginning to wonder if the charging system is going bad...thoughts??
Motor runs smooth at all speeds. I have replaced the coils and caps 3 months ago...its been fine till this past weekend when the compass starting spinning. I am beginning to wonder if the charging system is going bad...thoughts??
Hmm - my fishing buddy has the same "problem" on his 15" runabout with a 75hp Merc. When we get going above about half speed, the compass spins as you described. Idle down and it's fine. Maybe some sort of magnetic interference from the motor?
I was going to say Bermuda Triangle when I first saw it, looks like someone else beat me to it, gotta be some magnetic rotational interference- remove the generator belt and try it.
You could also try a filter like they use on cars for radio interference....or...I know someone who switched to resistor type plugs....
I find the plug swap hard to believe solved the problem, but it is hard to argue with someone who had success doing it.
That's all I can offer except to say those are great motors....
Any wire carrying an electrical current has a magnetic field around it. Compasses work by sensing the magnetic field in the earth. Somehow it is sensing the magnetic field in your wiring. Other than that, I would be guessing. Except to suggest that the greatest current in the wiring is the ammeter.
Those old motors had ammeters on the dashboards. The high current inherent in an ammeter could create a magnetic field. Does you motor have the ammeter?
Those motors also had hot lights, that came on when the motor started to overheat. Do you have one of those?
Ok.....I stayed away from the Bermuda Triangle and removed the Gen Belt....and the spinning has stopped!!. So....maybe the gen or regulator going bad?
Yes...I have the hot light and amp meter...and the work fine.
Anyone got any ideas? I think this weekend I will send the gen to a local shop and have it checked out. Does anyone know of a way to check the regulator electrically? Ohms test??
Same thing here for me, I have a hard time to run the engine at 50%, It vibrates to. I guess the motor does not have enough power to keep the boat on plane. It's true, in my boat, I have alot of weight in the back of the boat and it's tilted at the 3rd position.
At WOT, it runs and sounds like a brand new outboard.
