warning alarm bursts -- Why?

seahorse5

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
4,698
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

Go to the FAQ section of this forum and read question "F" about VRO's. It tells the history and the changes from your early version to the latest production item. After reading it you will probably spring for the new improved series. Just besure to get rid of the brittle vinyl oil hose and replace the tiny tapered filter in the oil tank with the new style 'teabag" one.
 

kameika

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2002
Messages
155
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

Gentlemen, <br /><br />I will certainly put a pencil mark on the tank and watch it carefully.<br /><br />Also, the bulb required about three good squeezes. However, I only removed the hose from the bottom of the engine housing to the VRO. There was probably a few teaspoons of TCW3 that dripped out.<br /><br />Your collective input is greatly appreciated! In the event additional info is discovered about this, I will post it on this "dialog"--hopefully some other fellow will benefit from all of this!<br /><br />Mr. Seahorse: I am printing your FAQ item. I wish I knew this earlier.<br /><br />Again, many thanks for everything!<br /><br />Ken Ameika
 

jadeeinc

Cadet
Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Messages
6
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

hey guys, i'm new here and wanted to let you know the same thing happened to me on sunday with regard to the vro horn warning. same symptoms and talked with my dealer, he said it is very likely that the beeper itself is the cause as we replaced the pump this spring and has run fine till yesterday. he said he gets a run on horns after especially long periods of high humidity and rain.
 

kameika

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2002
Messages
155
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

Really jadeeinc? Could you please advise: What is the make/model/year of your engine?<br /><br />Ken
 

jadeeinc

Cadet
Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Messages
6
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

my engine is a 1995 225 oceanrunner. it has been a very good engine.
 

kameika

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2002
Messages
155
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

jadeeinc: Where in the United State do you live?<br /><br />(In other words, what was the weather like?)<br /><br />Ken
 

jadeeinc

Cadet
Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Messages
6
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

i live in southern md. i'm sure you have been hearing about the flooding and non-stop thunderstorms everyday the last two weeks. also my horn is located inside my small cuddy cabin behind the helm which does not get a lot of ventilation.
 

kameika

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2002
Messages
155
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

Hmm. Same here. I'm in NJ. Maybe 100 miles north of you.<br /><br />Very humid, too.<br /><br />What'd they charge you for the new horn? Depending on price, I may pre-emptively buy a new one also. <br /><br />Wait--it can't be humidity. I had a pulsating beep from the horn. From what I can see, the horn is just a dumb horn. It does not have the intelligence to beep. ..And it does not "know" what the engine RPM is. The pump sensor does know this. <br /><br />Was your alarm exactly the same alarm as a failed VRO?? (Unless humidity affected the warning sending unit in the engine cowling??)<br /><br />Ken
 

jadeeinc

Cadet
Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Messages
6
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

had the same delay with the same kill ignition and restart immediately with the same delay again, increasing with rpm's. plenty of smoke so oiling appears to be ok. have not tried the squeeze the bulb trick while beeping yet. they say if you squeeze real hard on the oil bulb when beeping and it goes away there is either a vacuum leak or air bubble in the line. hope this helps. i will be buying a beeper today as all lines and clamps were renewed at replacement and there are no leaks of any kind to be found.
 

kameika

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2002
Messages
155
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

jadeeinc:<br /><br />could you please advise: How much delay between the time you started the engine and the beginning of the beeping?<br /><br />Was it a few seconds? A few minutes? Please advise.<br /><br />Ken
 

jadeeinc

Cadet
Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Messages
6
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

hey i,m back for a quick minute. from startup to the beginning of beeps, it was in the range of 60-90 seconds. however, if i attempted to get on plane and boogie the time shortened proportiately to the rise in rpm's. my dealer said also that the beeper was basically becoming too sensitive to the changes in electrical resistance when there really is no problem. if women were only that easy to diagnose,, but that's a male regession.
 

CharlesW

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 8, 2003
Messages
335
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

All this "defective beeper" may be 100% correct, but I would sure want to check that oil is being used from the oil tank.<br />A warning horn is usually an indication of a problem. Ignoring that problem could get pretty expensive.
 

Walker

Captain
Joined
Jun 15, 2002
Messages
3,085
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

Jadeeinc, I don't see haw a beeper can become too sensitive. They work like a light switch Either on or off. The negative side is where the switches are in all your sensors. When a sensor grounds out the horn comes on. The horn iself is just like a test light. It has 12v positive to it all the time. When a sensor trips, it closes the circuit on the negative side and your horn sounds off.
 

kameika

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2002
Messages
155
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

I can see how a defective beeper can trigger--but I would imagine the defect would be a continuous beep.<br /><br />The beeper is not aware of engine speed. Only the warning sensor at the VRO is aware of engine speed. <br /><br />I'm pretty convinced of a restriction or a bubble in oil feed. jadee, is there a chance you had the same thing??<br /><br />(Thank you Mr. Seahorse. The VRO guide was excellent.)<br /><br />jadeeinc: what did they charge you for the new horn?<br /><br />By the way, there are some intelligence in the horn. (I do know electronics..) Well, I wouldn't call it intelligence--but there are semiconductors in the whistle-type horn. It's "potted" in an RTV or similar. If moisture gets to the device, it could affect it.<br /><br />(*The reason I say "intelligence" is as follows: The horn knows to chirp one second on key-on. It then goes into the "slave" mode, where the tan wire, when grounded, completes the horn circuit. There may be some kind of voltage regulation to the piezo electric noisemaker, as well..)<br /><br />But again, the electronics would be affected by humidity regardless whether the engine were actually running or if it were at WOT.<br /><br />..And if it failed, it would not be pulsating at half second on/half second off or whatever.. (unless the voltage regulator of the alternator is bad.)<br /><br />I think I am pretty convinced the sensor is complaining.. (or "was" complaining..)<br /><br />One last thing: The operation manual says, "if this (oil starvation) alarm is sounding; and you must go back to port--it is possible to operate the engine at < 1500 RPM."<br /><br />According to Seahorse's FAQ, the OEM VRO was designed to run at 150:1 at idle speed. That's nearly "no" oil. Keeping in mind gasoline is a lubricant, I guess that makes sense.<br /><br />It's a good FAQ.<br /><br />This is one long memo. Sorry.<br /><br />Ken
 

Walker

Captain
Joined
Jun 15, 2002
Messages
3,085
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

Ken, I bought one about a month ago. I believe it was $63
 

kameika

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2002
Messages
155
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

Gents,<br /><br />New information: I was calling the local marine store to see about whether the VRO pump and alarm are in inventory.<br /><br />The man who answered the phone VOLUNTEERED information (after telling me the VRO pumps are on backorder..) <br /><br />I told the man I am still investigating the problem, but wanted to ensure a VRO was available for a quick swap out.<br /><br />Read on: <br /><br />"Before you go out and buy a VRO pump, be sure to open open the oil line and pump-out any crud and air bubbles. We had alot of VROs go out (get sold), then come back for refunds because those &%@ VROs get air locked. Just pull off the the oil line, clear it, pump the bulb and reinstall. Then pump the bulb 'till it's solid. "<br /><br />This is exactly (Walker, per your recommendation) what I did at 10:30pm. And the problem appears solved.<br /><br />Hmm. I'm looking forward to a test cruise tonight..<br /><br />Ken
 

kameika

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2002
Messages
155
Re: warning alarm bursts -- Why?

It works, Walker. I ran at WOT for a few minutes. Cruise speed for ~20-25 minutes. <br /><br />After the cruise--the oil level was down from my mark.<br /><br />In short, I'm absolutely sure there was a blockage or an air pocket. Your advice was correct. <br /><br />Thank you all for the help. This was a super helpful.<br /><br />Best Regards,<br />Ken Ameika
 
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