Pinging from control box?

[racemonster]

Complete newbie here!
Purchased this used boat on Friday and had it out on Sunday and evrything went well.
I have a couple of questions now that I am more familiar with the boat.

1990 SmokerCraft 17ft, 1991 Johnson Tracker 115HP Oil injected.

When I turn the key on I hear a loud ping from the control box?
Is this a normal indicator for something?

It will also make the same pinging noise at random it did it more in the first half hour and and tappered off to where it was not doing it any more,
but it always does it when I turn on the key.

I also need to know what kind of oil to run in the oil injecton tank?
Would this motor charge the battery or do I need to charge it before using the boat?

Are there any guidelines as to what position the tilt and trim should be set to?

Thanks in advance!
Rob

 

[ezeke]

Re: Pinging from control box?

The warning horn is supposed to sound when you turn the key to let you know that it is working.

After that, the warning is to let you know to immediately stop the engine and troubleshoot the problem.

You have to use TC-W3 rated oil in the oil tank. The synthetic blends and full synthetic TC-W3 oils are generally considered better oils and are well known to produce less carbon and plug fouling.

The motor will charge the battery if the rectifier is good.

Put a voltmeter on the battery and take a reading with the engine off, then take a reading with the engine running. Let us know what you find. If the reading is higher with the engine running, the charging system is at least partially working.

 

[racemonster]

Re: Pinging from control box?

Thanks for the quick responce!
Should the ping always be the same sound then?
Or would it ever come on and stay on?
Since it just has an occasional quick ping is there any chance of it being a fluke or is it deffinatly signaling a problem?

The motor ran good enough that I find it hard to believe that there is much wrong with it.

I did not get a manual for the motor. Is there somewhere I can find a list of possible problems that it could be signaling?

Thanks Again
Rob

 

[ezeke]

Re: Pinging from control box?

There probably is very little to be concerned about, but the alarms are there to keep it that way. The warning horn is activated by grounding the tan wire so it is certainly possible to have a failing horn or a short in the wiring.

The overheat signal is a constant alarm, but can be irregular if the thermostats are opening and closing at too high a temperature.

The other alarms are for low oil and no oil. Running without oil will simply burn up the motor.

If you have not done so, you may want to put a new water pump in or at least an impeller. New thermostats are also a good idea.

Carefully inspect the oil tank fittings and hose for any possible air leak. You may want to replace the oil filter in the oil tank.