BF10 Contol box electrical connectors

[Brian Johnson]

Hi All,

On safety boats at my club, we connect the VHF radios to what we term the auxilliary connectors that exit the control box ... such that power to the radio is only enabled when the ignition is switched on. We do this else we find radios left on and batteries are flat ... and the set up works well. We have 4 boats ... two Tahatsu (30 and 25) and two Honda (30 and 10) We use Standard Horizon GX1200E radios.

A problem has developed with the 10. When the trasmit key is depressed, we lose power, the radio screen goes blank and there is no signal transmitted (though nearby radios get a bit of a crackle). It seems that the radio, even on the 1 watt setting is trying to draw more power than the box is able to supply. Some other info:-

a. there's plenty of power in the battery, the engine starts easily
b. connecting the radio directly to the control box bullet connectors exhibits the same problem
c. we don't get the problem connecting the radio directly to the battery
d. the boat concerned is a SeaHog Commodore
e. replacing the radio with an identical unit (that works fine elsewhere) exhibits the same problem

All this seems to suggest that there's a problem somewhere in the box. Does anyone know what it might be?

Thanks, Brian

 

[pilotart]

"...problem has developed..." Meaning it used to work OK?

Is it regardless of engine RPM or idle RPM (output is minimal at idle).

Is there a Battery Off/On Switch? Connect radio to battery switch and you could use w/ignition switch off. Having battery switched off when not using would not only save battery charge, but prevent possible electrolysis corrosion from a stray current.

Radio being an important safety device in certain conditions, you would want it powered from as close to the source as practical.
Art

 

[Brian Johnson]

Thanks Pilotart

We have a programme changing out Cobra units which have proven unreliable in service. When we had a report that the old unit was failing to transmit (always the issue with Cobras) we though it was just more of the same. We can't rely on the users (the club membership) positively switching off power hence the connection via the auxilliary connectors. I should add that the power loss on transmission also occurs with the engine on at any revs.

I did consider using the auxilliary output 'just' to operate a relay to power the radios but all our tests in other boats and indeed this one until recently had proven very satisfactory.

Regards, Brian

 

[hondadude]

I concur with Pilotart. You should never "tap" into the motor wiring harness to power a device like a vhf radio.

That being said, Honda has just introduced a relay to allow powering up the NMEA data backbone when you turn the key switch to on. It plugs right into to where you are picking up the voltage now and has the wiring to connect directly to a battery source...including a fuse....

Part number is 06332-ZZ3-000AH (NMEA 2000 relay kit) MSRP $28.99 There are plenty available in the USA.

That way, the radio gets plenty of power and the integrity of the motor wiring is intact.

Mike