Gas gauge

[Bch53211]

After surfing last night I noticed my gas gauge on empty we started with a full tank and we always use a half tank. There was no gas smell so I can’t imagine we lost 15 to 20 gallons of fuel any clue what this could be?

[Bch53211]

Update on this - was out there yesterday and gas gauge was back where it should’ve been - about a 1/2 tank. Strange I turned engine off and even powered off battery the night I noticed it and still read empty . Boat sat by itself for 2-3 days and gauge was back where it should’ve been.

[Bch53211]

This is really strange. I have underwater lights installed that work temporary for a few minutes before going out. The circuit breaker pops and I have to reset to get them to come on again they do not stay on for long. When the lights are working my gas gauge shows empty despite having fuel. When the lights go out the gas gauge starts working again. The tech who installed the lights must have cross wired the two systems somehow. I’m pretty upset as they charge me $650 to install the lights.

[haknslash]

I thought the wiring for LED underwater lights was already there on all boats. What year is your boat?

[HFarr]

Yes, I would be upset too. You should take it right back to them.

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[zabooda]

You have a floating ground. Ensure the negative end of the lights and your gauge have solid grounds. Your lights have very little current draw so a floating ground could potentially put a voltage at the negative end if both are grounded together. A good solid ground to either one should fix it.

[Bch53211]

I thought the wiring for LED underwater lights was already there on all boats. What year is your boat?

2019 helix

[Bch53211]

You have a floating ground. Ensure the negative end of the lights and your gauge have solid grounds. Your lights have very little current draw so a floating ground could potentially put a voltage at the negative end if both are grounded together. A good solid ground to either one should fix it.

Really appreciate the help - I’m going to get this info to the dealer they are taking it back on 8/9

[Bch53211]

I got the boat back , I gave them the info and they thought they corrected the ground - it doesn’t seem to be somehow inter related to the gas gauge anymore as it displays accurately while the lights are on now but the breaker still trips after 10 minutes of use and the lights go out - just don’t understand why the breaker keeps tripping, led lights use minimal current - so bummed and frustrated obviously my dealer techs don’t know what they are doing

[HFarr]

Sounds like the wiring going to the lights may have a nick in the insulation somewhere that is grounding out causing the breaker to trip. Probably small so it's taking a bit to build up enough heat resistance to trip. Or possibly a leak in the LED housing letting a connection or board get wet.

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[Bch53211]

As always I really appreciate the input- sounds like that could be a little difficult to find - I do have a friend who is an electrician maybe I can get him to bring his volt meter , could they help to help search for potential problems?

[Holdmybeer]

Factory underwater lighting circuit is a 3A breaker under the helm. The LED lights you have installed are pulling more than that but close so it is holding for ~10min then tripping. Probably a 5A lighting draw.

You first problem was ground related and that seems to be fixed, but now you have a different issue. You need the 3A circuit to control a relay and have the relay turn the lights on direct from the positive circuit in the boat. This is a very simple fix and the dealer should know better. If these are the factory option lights from Moomba, they should have came with a plug and play harness and relay. I assume this kit is not and that is why the dealer is struggling to get it to work correctly.

[Bch53211]

Yes they are not factory from moomba . They are from Lumitec (seablaze). I wish I knew moomba made their own before , I never would have gotten anything else. Thanks, I’m going to send this info to my dealer.

[Holdmybeer]

Yes they are not factory from moomba . They are from Lumitec (seablaze). I wish I knew moomba made their own before , I never would have gotten anything else. Thanks, I’m going to send this info to my dealer.

Moomba does not make there own, but if you buy the OEM equipment it is put together as plug and play. Supra uses Liquid Lumens, Moomba might use Lumitec, etc. but it is packaged.

Your system is not bad, just needs to be looked at and wired correctly. Do you know exactly what light kit you purchased, and how many are installed (2 lights?)? I am wondering what current draw on the lights are.

[Bch53211]

I have two lights installed I will look up the specific model number and post that soon so appreciative of your help and input. They have two colors white and blue . I’ve been leaving them on the setting where it’s cycles through the different colors. Of course I should be able to leave it on that setting but next time I go out I’ll leave it on the solid one color setting and see if that has anything to do with it?

[Holdmybeer]

I have two lights installed I will look up the specific model number and post that soon so appreciative of your help and input. They have two colors white and blue . I’ve been leaving them on the setting where it’s cycles through the different colors. Of course I should be able to leave it on that setting but next time I go out I’ll leave it on the solid one color setting and see if that has anything to do with it?

Color cycle won't matter at all.

If they are the Seablaze X2, which sounds right, they are 5A each light. 2 lights draw 10A, but they have a 3-wire configuration to use a low current switch.

If you can see the wiring on the lights, the orange wire should be going to 1 side of the switch other side should be 12V and the breaker you keep tripping. The Red wire should be going to the battery or positive bus bar with a 15A fuse, and the black wire to the ground bus bar or battery. The 3A switch is more than enough to turn on the lights but not power them. If they jumped the orange and red wire together, then that is the problem and why the breaker keep tripping.

I would look at their work before taking it back. It might be a very simple fix.

[Bch53211]

Yes they are SeaBlaze X2 Underwater Light, Bronze, White/Blue - I am so thankful for your help going to get this info to my dealer and bring my electrician friend out to the boat with me

[web]

Holdmybeer is all over it. Seen it done severely times by people who don't understand wiring or current draw. Look at it yourself by his directions should be easy

[Bch53211]

Guys thanks sooo much for all your help - forwarded you postings to my dealer and it seems they finally got it right, lights staying on now.