How to test ground/hot on fuse block?

[Audio Greg]

Re: How to test ground/hot on fuse block?

Yeah, I really have to agree with Smoke.
Continuity is a great test for finding blown fuses or cold solder joints, but could really complicate a search for +/- 12 volts!

BTW, that DMM reads 12 volts when turned to "20," three positions counter-clockwise on the dial.

 

[JustJason]

Re: How to test ground/hot on fuse block?

FYI many if not all meters will show continuity between positive and negative so that test is not reliable

Yeah, I really have to agree with Smoke.
Continuity is a great test for finding blown fuses or cold solder joints, but could really complicate a search for +/- 12 volts!

Man do you guys know how to use meters? Continuity between + and - would = a dead short. And you can't search for voltage useing continuity.

All continuity is, is a meter toneing out when the resitance of a circuit is below a certain resistance. Every meter is a bit different, so it helps to know your meters. For instance, I use 2 different Fluke meters. Both are automatically autoranging but have a manual overide if you prefer to select a scale. On my Flukes (and i'd have to double check so don't quote me on the actual number) they will beep continuity without showing a number is the resistance is below 50 ohms. If the resistance is 50.1 ohms or above, it does not beep but instead shows the actual resistance. All continuity is is a shortcut for when your to lazy or it doesn't matter what the actuall resistance is, as long as it's below a preset value that your happy with for whatever your working on.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How to test ground/hot on fuse block?

Man do you guys know how to use meters? Continuity between + and - would = a dead short. And you can't search for voltage useing continuity.

Ya know, I tried to put it as nicely as possible but here we go... You are DEAD wrong here.... continuity between positive and negative indicates a load not a short..... a "dead short" is indicated by ZERO resistance.... if your meter tones on a load of under 50 ohms then it WILL tone when connected between the positive and negative bus bars unless ALL loads AND the battery and possibly the alternator are removed from the circuit being tested..... My statement was not intended to indicate anything negative about your abilities but rather to simplify things for those who might read this looking for help....

Checking for ground with a continuity tone is plain and simple a BAD idea.... a much better way is to look for LOW resistance as you first mentioned or by looking for a voltage reading between positive and ground matching the reading across the battery terminals

 

[JustJason]

Re: How to test ground/hot on fuse block?

You are DEAD wrong here.... continuity between positive and negative indicates a load not a short..... a "dead short" is indicated by ZERO resistance....

I'll meet you half way here because wording can be tricky. We can both agree that continuity ='s a resistance below a preset amount of resistance depending on the meter. If the resistance is 0, that would be a dead short, but a meter would show continuity. But you are correct, if your sitting there at .5 ohm, that is a load and not a short, and would also show continuity.

Checking for ground with a continuity tone is plain and simple a BAD idea

Agree... That's akin to checkng for voltage with a test light.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How to test ground/hot on fuse block?

I can dig it.... again I never intended a personal attack but just wanted to clarify for those who would look for help here

 

[CSD82]

I bought a 1992 Sea Pro 210 WA las year. Has small I/O which runs fine. There is a problem with the ignition whereas the fuse burns out after I have the boat idling for a while or travelling at lowest trolling speed for a period of time, then place it in neutral then back into forward or reverse. The fuse burns out at the point when I place it back in gear. Then the boat won't start until I replace the fuse. The fuses are right there on the instrument panel next to their respective switches. Had one boat electrician go thru it and the problem still exists after cleaning/replacing terminals etc. Any one else experiencing similar?

 

[CSD82]

Sorry, that's a 1997 Sea Pro 210WA with the ignition issue, not a '92.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How to test ground/hot on fuse block?

CSD82 -- Start your own thread. Jumping on someone elses thread (that happens to be totally unrelated by the way) confuses those of us who have to sort through all this stuff to stay on track. It might also help to tell us the NAME of the fuse that blows. But do it in new thread,

 

[CSD82]

Re: How to test ground/hot on fuse block?

Sorry about that I'm new to this.