Topic: High Voltage Input Alarm

[ericd]

I am getting an alarm for High Voltage input about every 4 or 5 trips.  It happens when I am runnind down the river on plane.  I have a 798c SI with the y cable and 2 transducers. 

When the alarm goes off I have been shutting the unit down and turning it back on about 10 minutes later. 

What do I need to check and How?

[stillbear]

Your HB will run on 10-20 volts. Your outboard charging system needs checked. I would go in views screen  the next time it happens and check the votage .Your outboard charging system obviously is putting out to much voltage.Not good for the HB. 

[Jolly Roger]

Instead of checking the incoming voltage with your unit you can also check it with a volt meter if you have one.
As stillbear already mentioned your unit doesn't like to have too much juice coming in and it might get damaged.

Regards / Harry

[sonar2000]

Voltage is always a potential.  The concern would be the amps.  Make sure you have properly fused the positive wire with the correct rated fuse.  If the current exceeds the fuse it will blow and protect your unit.    Chuck

[FuzzyGrub]

Not uncommon with unregulated output (ie no alternater) outboards.   Especially if the battery is on its way out.   You can help by turning on lights, and any other load you can, while on plane. 

[Colt45]

Not sure about your 798, but on my 998 you can "Select Input" and put "Voltage" as one of the constantly displayed data items.  This way you can watch it under various conditions.

Using a test voltmeter is good if you can run the engine to speed with it connected.  Be aware the HB unit may be seeing a voltage spike of very short duration and a regular volt meter will not register it.  Most meters read RMS voltage.  You would need a digital data meter with memory.

Don't forget to check all connections to be clean and tight - especially the battery cables.

[scattman]

Had a similar problem.  Inserted a voltage regulator into the 798 power leads and the unit now runs at a constant 12V.

[Humminbird_Greg]

Scattmna may have the solution for you: "in-line voltage regulator".
Colt45 is correct as well in that the unit can detect some fast voltage spikes that most hand held volt meters will not.
We (Humminbird) used to sell a voltage regulating device (Sure Volt) years ago but we stopped.  Wish we still sold this as it would be a ready made solution for you and many others. 

[sonar2000]

Checkk out some radio stores. They usually have regulators (12 volt ) and the price is usually good.
Chuck

[Colt45]

Searched for "12v to 12v converter on Google and found:

http://www.cameras4sports.co.uk/product.php?xProd=47

http://www.powerstream.com/12v-index.htm

But if you are hitting 20v on your boat power system better get it to the dealer before something else burns up! 

Tight Lines

[sonar2000]

Searched for "12v to 12v converter on Google and found:

Make sure you are searching for a regulator and not a converter. 
Chuck (Sonar2000)

[Jolly Roger]

Chuck,

the link is missing! Use the "insert Hyperlink" button to get the link posted or paste the address and paste it in the desired place of your comment.

Harry

[sonar2000]

Harry, I was just refering to the selection of a converter instead of the regulator.  I did not copy all of the previous post. I guess I should have.  Probably should have used the quote function instead of copy.  My bad but I will learn..
Converters and regulators are two different things. 
Hope this clears this up.
Chuck (sonar2000)

[Jolly Roger]

OK Chuck, now I got it, hehe!

Harry

[Humminbird_Greg]

They are also referred to as "inline filters" as well.  At least that is what we used eons ago when I worked in THE Car Stereo Shop in B'Ham Alabama!

[sonar2000]

Inline filters normally "filter" RF frequencies or interference and not voltage spikes. Regulators on the other hand will "clip" or limit voltage spikes. 
Regulators are still susecptable to interference with in the voltage levels selected or stabilized. 
Aren't modern day electronics fun.
I remember when computers came out and the change we had to make mentally with regards to lowered voltage and current (amps) systems.
Static electricity from walking across the floor became a nightmare to computers that now worked with low level voltage as compared to the vacumntube older systems.
Gotta love technology.
Chuck (sonar2000)

[scattman]

As I mentioned earlier on this post. Inserted a voltage regulator into the power leads for the 798 and the probem has been solved.  The unit I used is mfg by MeanWell and supplied by JAMCO ELECTRONICS, look them up on google.  Model I am using is MeanWell SKE 15A-12 and costs approx $30.  Unit takes 9-12V DC and outputs a constant 12V at 1.25 MA.

Will have to do a little soldering and use an Epoxy potting compund.  Took about 1 hour to install.

[sonar2000]

Is that 1.25 MA or 1.25 A?
 For optimal operation I would suggest a 2 to 3 amp output rated.
Depending on the unit, the selection for a regulator should be based on the mfg recommendations of power up requirements.
What ever you select remember to always fuse the positive lead with the correct mfg recommended fuse.
Glad you got your problem fixed.  Now to fish........
Chuck(sonar2000)