1988 Ski Nautique Ignition breaker problems

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   Thanks for your interest in helping me with my problem.   

 I have been doing some trouble shooting as you suggested. My 64 year body doesn't get into these tight spaces as it use to. With the help of my son we have determined that the breaker involved is actually a 10 amp. instead of a 20 amp. as it should be. This mistake was done at the factory. The breaker problem seem to show up when I switch to an electronic ignition with a high output coil. 

 The wiring under the dash is like a nest, The connections are pretty clean no noticeable corrosion visible.Thers is a 10guage+ wire going to the ignition terminal.

Battery in good shape, 2 yrs old. Some of the factory terminals are shotty. 

I did have to change the alternator due to age (23 years) and it putting out only 11.5 volts. Now I am reading 13 volts at idle and 15.3 after the exciter kicked in at 2200 rpms.

As for the IG. upgrades:This was done to get away from the points ignition, for better starting.The wiring is the same as on the diagram you sent. I ran the boat at the lake this Sunday for 3 hours and didn't have any problems. I am going to order a 20 amp. breaker to replace the one I have now.  Also I am going to order a new blower which is also 23 yrs and is drawing a lot of current.

 I did add a four blade prop which really help in the over performance.

 I am new to any kind of forum. It seems to be a good information source.

 I will follow up with some pictures. I just have to get use to this system.  

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papa4d1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June-19-2011 Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote papa4d1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 1988 Ski Nautique Ignition breaker problems Posted: June-21-2011 at 2:22pm
	Thanks for your interest in helping me with my problem. I have been doing some trouble shooting as you suggested. My 64 year body doesn't get into these tight spaces as it use to. With the help of my son we have determined that the breaker involved is actually a 10 amp. instead of a 20 amp. as it should be. This mistake was done at the factory. The breaker problem seem to show up when I switch to an electronic ignition with a high output coil. The wiring under the dash is like a nest, The connections are pretty clean no noticeable corrosion visible.Thers is a 10guage+ wire going to the ignition terminal. Battery in good shape, 2 yrs old. Some of the factory terminals are shotty. I did have to change the alternator due to age (23 years) and it putting out only 11.5 volts. Now I am reading 13 volts at idle and 15.3 after the exciter kicked in at 2200 rpms. As for the IG. upgrades:This was done to get away from the points ignition, for better starting.The wiring is the same as on the diagram you sent. I ran the boat at the lake this Sunday for 3 hours and didn't have any problems. I am going to order a 20 amp. breaker to replace the one I have now. Also I am going to order a new blower which is also 23 yrs and is drawing a lot of current. I did add a four blade prop which really help in the over performance. I am new to any kind of forum. It seems to be a good information source. I will follow up with some pictures. I just have to get use to this system.

8122pbrainard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045	Post Options Post Reply Quote 8122pbrainard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-20-2011 at 9:29am
	Harry, I got your PM and will see if I can explain the problem in some more detail. I mentioned the low voltage causing a higher amp condition which in turn may be popping the breaker. The low voltage problem is also with the engine off, the alternator not running (lower voltage) and you're on battery only. I suspect this low voltage is from the undersized wiring but also bad connections. What's the condition of your battery? How are it's cables and connections/terminals? The breaker could also be bad, This type is not the best. The only way to tell is to do the amp draw testing as mentioned. I highly recommend this just to make sure you do not have a problem with one of the loads off that breaker. Start getting some voltage readings at the battery and then compare it to under the dash (engine off and accessories on). Clean up all wiring connections (don't forget the harness plug(s) at the engine - I seen some pretty green ones!!) Get back to us and we'll go from there. OK, what's up with the EI "up grade"? You haven't explained.
	54 Atom 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete <

horkn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: September-10-2007 Location: Cedarburg, Wi Status: Offline Points: 1511	Post Options Post Reply Quote horkn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-19-2011 at 5:10pm
	Accel coil? I would have a spare on hand just in case. Accel coils are not very good quality and tend to fail at a much higher rate than any other brand of coil.
	78 martinique- refloored, reinforced, stringers re glassed, re engineered interior GT40P heads Edelbrock Performer intake acme 4 blade http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/horkn/fish/nautique.jpg

8122pbrainard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045	Post Options Post Reply Quote 8122pbrainard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-19-2011 at 4:43pm
	Tripping a breaker is never normal. Has anyone been under the dash doing any wiring changes? Do you have specs on what the coil draws for amps? Have you hooked up the DMM or VOM in series with the circuit to see what it's actually drawing? Also common with theses boats is undersize wire for the feed and ground plus corrosion at terminals causing resistance that results in quite a voltage drop. This in turn increases the amp draw (Ohms law). What is the voltage reading at the dash with the engine off? I have to ask why the so called "up grade"? Have you done other mods to the engine? Welcome to CCfan. Pictures!!! We love them as well as a diary entry.
	54 Atom 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete <

papa4d1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: June-19-2011 Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote papa4d1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-19-2011 at 3:58pm
	I have a 1988 Ski Nautique, which I bought new, It has 294 hours it. Recently I upgraded to a Mallory EP3 Marine distributor and an Excel 8140 high performance coil and bypassed the ballast. I also replaced the alternator with a new one, same three wire configuration. The problem I am having is the the dash panel ignition breaker has started poping with just the ignition switch on, the blower running and the nav lights on. This doesn't happen with the engine running. Is this normal?

1988 Ski Nautique Ignition breaker problems

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