Alarm Sounds in Rough Water

Rinkerguy · 08-28-2007, 02:45 PM

I have a 2003 Rinker w/ a Merc motor and Bravo3 drive
While navigating in rough water, the alarm occasionally sounds
Engine Temp, Oil pressure and Gear Lube levels are all acceptable

Very un-nerving

Any ideas as to cause and solution would be appreciated

NightWing · 08-28-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rinkerguy

I have a 2003 Rinker w/ a Merc motor and Bravo3 drive
While navigating in rough water, the alarm occasionally sounds
Engine Temp, Oil pressure and Gear Lube levels are all acceptable

Very un-nerving

Any ideas as to cause and solution would be appreciated

I would bet your drive oil is a bit low and sloshing around, setting off the alarm. I had a boat do the same thing. Drove me nuts and it was only a little low.

TomC · 08-28-2007, 03:37 PM

...in any one of the 3 systems. I'm not sure how its designed and wired, but if is set up so a ground at the sensor sets off the alarm, you could have a chafed wire grounding on the block...

Steve · 08-28-2007, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightWing

I would bet your drive oil is a bit low and sloshing around, setting off the alarm. I had a boat do the same thing. Drove me nuts and it was only a little low.

This is exactly what I was thinking, and I was thinking it's most likely the gear oil in the reservoir.

Paugus Bay Resident · 08-28-2007, 05:59 PM

Also, if the water pickup on the drive gets out of water, even momentarily, an alarm will usually go off.

Cal · 08-28-2007, 08:19 PM

Disconnect the alarm wires(tan with blue tracer) on the drive oil bottle and try it again. That's my bet

NoRegrets · 08-28-2007, 09:21 PM

I have also had an alarm go off in rough water. It was my high water bilge pump. The float would be jarred and set off the alarm. Check the floats as well as the other engine fluids like the previous posters....

Rinkerguy · 08-29-2007, 07:06 AM

Thanks for all the good advise

The drive lube resevoir was my suspect as well, never thought of the bilge pump or chafed wire

I will give these a try over the upcoming weekend

Mink Islander · 08-29-2007, 07:13 AM

I have a Bravo III on my boat -- similar problem a few years back. Turned out the float was faulty in the gear lube resevoir.

Captain Zipper · 08-29-2007, 09:37 PM

Rinkleyguy,

I have a few ideas of what it could be.............I'll need your boat for a weekend.....with a full tank of fuel.......... a place to stay.................food........

And I'll let you know what I find on Monday.

CZ

But really, I think it is one of the above listed items. Good luck.

Rinkerfam · 08-29-2007, 09:57 PM

I have an '04 Rinker with a Bravo III as well. We had to have the drive replaced in '05 (to the new design thankfully) due to a defect. Our first outing with the new drive was met by an alarm almost immediately. The drive lube was about 2 ounces shy of full due to an air bubble in the system. Just goes to show how sensitive the newer stuff is.

08-28-2007, 02:45 PM	#1
Rinkerguy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 121 Thanks: 0 Thanked 33 Times in 24 Posts	Alarm Sounds in Rough Water I have a 2003 Rinker w/ a Merc motor and Bravo3 drive While navigating in rough water, the alarm occasionally sounds Engine Temp, Oil pressure and Gear Lube levels are all acceptable Very un-nerving Any ideas as to cause and solution would be appreciated

08-28-2007, 03:37 PM	#3
TomC Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 547 Thanks: 9 Thanked 29 Times in 20 Posts	or a loose connection... ...in any one of the 3 systems. I'm not sure how its designed and wired, but if is set up so a ground at the sensor sets off the alarm, you could have a chafed wire grounding on the block...

08-28-2007, 09:21 PM	#7
NoRegrets Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hudson - NH Posts: 408 Thanks: 233 Thanked 212 Times in 88 Posts	Bilge pump float... I have also had an alarm go off in rough water. It was my high water bilge pump. The float would be jarred and set off the alarm. Check the floats as well as the other engine fluids like the previous posters....

08-29-2007, 07:13 AM	#9
Mink Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 753 Thanks: 59 Thanked 271 Times in 129 Posts	Gear Lube Resevoir I have a Bravo III on my boat -- similar problem a few years back. Turned out the float was faulty in the gear lube resevoir.

08-29-2007, 09:57 PM	#11
Rinkerfam Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	I have an '04 Rinker with a Bravo III as well. We had to have the drive replaced in '05 (to the new design thankfully) due to a defect. Our first outing with the new drive was met by an alarm almost immediately. The drive lube was about 2 ounces shy of full due to an air bubble in the system. Just goes to show how sensitive the newer stuff is. __________________ Education is hanging around 'til you've caught on - Frost

08-28-2007, 05:59 PM	#5
Paugus Bay Resident Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Gilmanton, NH Posts: 754 Thanks: 136 Thanked 92 Times in 51 Posts	Also, if the water pickup on the drive gets out of water, even momentarily, an alarm will usually go off.

08-28-2007, 08:19 PM	#6
Cal Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pitman , NJ Posts: 627 Thanks: 40 Thanked 21 Times in 12 Posts	Disconnect the alarm wires(tan with blue tracer) on the drive oil bottle and try it again. That's my bet

08-29-2007, 07:06 AM	#8
Rinkerguy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 121 Thanks: 0 Thanked 33 Times in 24 Posts	Thanks for all the good advise The drive lube resevoir was my suspect as well, never thought of the bilge pump or chafed wire I will give these a try over the upcoming weekend

08-29-2007, 09:37 PM	#10
Captain Zipper Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Granby, Ct. Posts: 138 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Rinkleyguy, I have a few ideas of what it could be.............I'll need your boat for a weekend.....with a full tank of fuel.......... a place to stay.................food........ And I'll let you know what I find on Monday. CZ But really, I think it is one of the above listed items. Good luck.