Azimut Digital DC ammeter and tank level indicators.

[driver0606]

The DC ammeter and tank level indicators have ceased working on my 2006 Azimut 43. Photos of the ammeter are below. It has become quite erratic, with all sorts of random readings and sometimes stops altogether. The red and black wires are the 24v supply and the pair of black wires each will read 24v on a test meter if connected to the red 24v positive lead. They presumably go, via the charge/discharge change over switch, to a shunt buried somewhere deep in the innards of the boat. The easy fix is to change the (360 euro) meter itself if it is very likely the fault lies within it and not elsewhere. Any ideas, please?

I also mention the tank level indicators, which are a complicated electronic system, on the offchance somebody has experience with them on an Azimut 42 or 43.

 

[rafiki_]

Sorry can’t help. The gauges on my 39 are analogue. Have you tried contacting Derek at Azi UK? He might have access to technical support in Italy?

 

[kashurst]

the current meter will almost certainly be measuring the voltage across a shunt.
regarding display/meter failure - the screw style PCB connectors shown in the picture can suffer from solder joint failure over time if the screws are over tightened in use (usually are). You are unlikely to be able to see it as the joint cracks internally then corrosion sets in.
If you or you know someone handy with a small soldering iron take the unit out and go over as many solder joints as you can - especially at the connectors. Then give the PCB tracks a clean to remove any surface corrosion deposits with a fibreglass pencil - it may come back to life. If it does, before re-assembling everything back, mask the display and connectors with tape and spray paint the electronics with two or three coats of proper PCB laquer, it will last a lot longer.
It's amazing how many bits of electronic kit on modern boats are not properly constructed or protected for sea life.

 

[driver0606]

Thank you both for your replies. I have a technician from Azimut Italy coming in about 10 days time. I checked the ammeter connections, Kashurst, and they seem OK but it still does not work. Regarding the tank level indicators, there are 16 wires going into the panel on the dashboard, 9 of them coming from an electronic box in the engine room. I have identified the 24v positive and negative. Is there any risk to the electronics if I use a digtial test meter attached to the earth and check the other connections to see if any of them are receiving a voltage, please?

 

[rafiki_]

Nope no risk that I can think of. Good luck