10.5 Troubleshooting Audible Tones
As mentioned previously, there are various tones emitted from the Control Head if an error were to occur.
10.5.1 Basic Control System Tones
These basic tones are as follows:
10.5.1.1 Slow Repetitive Tone
The Slow Repetitive Tone, also referred to as the “Initialization Tone” is the tone you hear at all Remote
Stations when power is initially applied to the control system. When this tone is heard, you know for a
fact that the following are true:
• Power has just been applied to the system.
• The Software Program is running normally.
• The Processor is commanding the throttle to Idle.
• The Processor is commanding the clutch to Neutral.
This is a normal tone when power has first been applied to the Processor and no Control Head has
taken command. However, the tone may also be an indication of a problem, if during normal operation
the engine’s throttle drops to Idle, followed by the clutch to Neutral, the Control Head’s red LED goes
out and a slow repetitive tone is heard at all remote stations. This indicates that the voltage at the
Processor has momentarily dropped below 8 VDC and then returned to a normal operational level. This
could be due to:
• Loose battery power cable connection.
• Under-charged or defective battery.
• Voltage drop due to current flow.
In order to pinpoint the exact cause of the low voltage at the Processor, perform the following checks:
A Check the Display on the Processor for Error Messages. Error Message 57 may appear
indicating Under Voltage. One or more of Error Messages 43 through 54 may also be
displayed. This is due to the momentary loss of serial communication between the two
Processors. Take note that the Under Voltage error is not only dependent on low voltage, it
is also dependent on the duration of the low voltage. The possibility exists that an error
message would not be displayed if the duration of the low voltage was short enough.
However, the other symptoms mentioned above still occur.
B In either case, follow the procedure listed under Diagnostic Menu (Section 10.4:
Troubleshooting Diagnostic Menu) until the Applied Battery Voltage is displayed. Take note
of the applied voltage.
C Go to the battery or Main Distribution Panel which is feeding power to the Processor. With a
DC Voltmeter, measure the voltage at this power source. The battery voltage should be
greater than 12.4 Volts in 12 VDC systems and 24.8 Volts in 24 VDC systems. If not, the
battery or it’s charging system needs servicing.
D The voltage differential between the power source and the Processor should not exceed 1.2
Volts in 12 VDC systems and 2.4 Volts in 24 VDC systems. If so, there is high resistance
somewhere between the battery and Processor.
E High resistance, resulting in a differential voltage of 1.2 Volts (12 VDC Systems) or 2.4 Volts
(24 VDC Systems) or greater, may be the result of corroded or tarnished connections, dirty
or pitted relay contacts or an improperly sized power cable.
F If the voltage differential is less than 1.2 Volts (12 VDC Systems) or 2.4 Volts (24 VDC
Systems), which is what you would typically expect, a loose connection may exist between
the power source and the Processor. The vibration experienced while the vessel is underway
may intermittently cause the circuit to open. Check all the connections between the power
source and the Processor for a loose bolts, nuts, etc.
NOTE: If an APS is being utilized in the power circuit, take into account the 0.7 VDC forward voltage drop of
the diodes. This would increase the permissible differential between power source and Processor from 1.2 to
1.9 VDC in 12 VDC circuits and 2.4 to 3.1 VDC in 24 VDC circuits.
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