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jwthomas.
Just returned from six months away from my boat. While checking systems, etc., making sure everything worked, I touched the trolling motor (Digital Motorguide 36v) and was zapped. I assume I have a ground problem but have no clue what to check. Im only shocked when the foot pedal switch is turned on and Im grounded to the floor of my garage; when the switch is off the TM doesnt shock me. Because I cant see it (electricity) Im clueless where to start – so, can an electrical guru help me out and tell me what to check, etc.? Thanks. Chip ReavesU.S. Army Retired (Aviation)Cougar FTD/250 ProXSShell Knob, MO/Cape Coral,FL
With DC voltage you would have to be grounded to the battery, the floor wont do it. Do you have a charger plugged up? How bad is the shock?
As I mentioned I dont understand electricity at all. Since my first post Ive dis-assembled the plug, cleaned the terminals, tightened the screws but am still shocked when I touch the TM shaft or the on/off switch. Also Im shocked (minor shock – not 36 volts) whether the switch is on or off while standing barefoot on my garage floor. With shoes on Im not shocked so I figured I must be the ground but thats just a guess. The charger is plugged in but Im not shocked from any other metal surfaces. Want to fish tomorrow so Ive got to find the cause today…Chip ReavesU.S. Army Retired (Aviation)Cougar FTD/250 ProXSShell Knob, MO/Cape Coral,FL
Because of gchaglers comment I unplugged the battery charger and now theres no shock. What does that tell me? What do I do to fix the shock when the chargers plugged in? Thanks.Chip ReavesU.S. Army Retired (Aviation)Cougar FTD/250 ProXSShell Knob, MO/Cape Coral,FL
Your charger may have a ground fault. Suggest you have a qualified electrical type check it out. Dont provide a path for electricity through your torso (bare feet on concrete), someone else may be inheriting your ride. There should be no ac connection what so ever between the batteries and the AC that powers the charger. It may be possible for the 12 VDC out of the charger to an individual battery to have AC on it as well, which means you got a bad charger. If you connect a jumper wire from the TM (-) post of the battery and the ground hole in the wall receptacle and get sparks, you will know. Get a receptacle tester and make sure your receptacle is wired correctly and that the safety ground is working.Please be careful and keep one hand in your pocket and your feet insulatedjwt
I think youre right. I called BassCat and theyve never heard of this problem. I did check all the wires to the three TM batteries and cranking battery and there are no cuts/rubs. The problem must be in the charger though I cant figure how current is getting to the metal parts of the boat/engine without a charger wire touching metal somewhere. Ill call the charger manufacturer tomorrow and see if they can shed some light on this issue. Thanks for the replies. Chip ReavesU.S. Army Retired (Aviation)Cougar FTD/250 ProXSShell Knob, MO/Cape Coral,FL
Is the trolling motor the only place on the boat that shocks you when you touch it? Im no expert but if so then I would think AC voltage is seeping through the charger and up the cables to the trolling motor. If thats the case then you must have a faulty charger. Did you leave this charger on the 6 months that you were away?
While I was away my neighbor plugged in the charger twice a month until all lights were green and then unplugged it. I receive the shock at both the TM and the engine which makes sense as theyre the only things connected to the batteries (that have exposed metal). I think JWT is right about a ground fault in the charger but it must encompass the leads to both the TM batteries and the cranking battery otherwise either the TM or the engine would shock me, but not both. On the other hand its electricity and I dont have a clue if that makes sense or not. Chip ReavesU.S. Army Retired (Aviation)Cougar FTD/250 ProXSShell Knob, MO/Cape Coral,FL
Do check you home outlet also as suggested, though it does sound like a charger issue and it is probably going to ground through your body. There also should be a ground fault on garage outlets.
Chip:Go to Home Depot and buy the following:A receptacle tester, it will be a small plug device with 3 neon lights, two amber and one red. Plug it into the suspected receptacle and you should get 2 amber lights. As BCB said, you should have a ground fault Interrupting receptacle. to test, there is a button on the tester, push it and the plug should go dead.Next purchase a multimeter, cheap is ok. Set it on AC volts and measure from the ground on the receptacle (with the charger connected) to anywhere on the engine where there is bare metal. If you measure any volts, you have a bad charger (assuming the GFI tester passed). Dont do any of this testing in the bilge as any spark could cause an explosion.Once again caution, if you are not familiar with electrical testing, remember to keep your feet insulated and use only one hand when testing so any fault current will not pass through your body. If you are not sure if the surface is electrified, touch it with the back of your hand, your hand will automatically be pulled away. Never touch with the palm side of the hand, a shock will cause your hand to contract possibly causing you to grip the fault and not be able to let go.Good Luckjw
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