Volvo D2-75 EVC control panel buzzer/sounder very faint

[mordase]

The start/stop engine control panel for my Volvo D2-75 sailboat has a tachometer and an EVC unit - typical for boats where the engine has a Volvo MDI controller. Everything works as it should apart from the buzzer/sounder is not very loud. It works, but it’s a struggle to hear the beeps and I’m concerned that should an oil or temperature alarm activate I would not hear it. I have no idea if the buzzer/sounder is a separate item or if it’s combined in the tachometer or EVC unit. Externally there is no obvious buzzer/sounder unit as all that can be seen is the tachometer and EVC. Before undoing bits it would be good to know if anyone has any experience with these panels and can offer some advice. Perhaps there is an option for an external sounder or maybe some combination of presses on the EVC panel affects the volume? The instruction manual does not help. Thanks in advance.

 

[VicS]

The start/stop engine control panel for my Volvo D2-75 sailboat has a tachometer and an EVC unit - typical for boats where the engine has a Volvo MDI controller. Everything works as it should apart from the buzzer/sounder is not very loud. It works, but it’s a struggle to hear the beeps and I’m concerned that should an oil or temperature alarm activate I would not hear it. I have no idea if the buzzer/sounder is a separate item or if it’s combined in the tachometer or EVC unit. Externally there is no obvious buzzer/sounder unit as all that can be seen is the tachometer and EVC. Before undoing bits it would be good to know if anyone has any experience with these panels and can offer some advice. Perhaps there is an option for an external sounder or maybe some combination of presses on the EVC panel affects the volume? The instruction manual does not help. Thanks in advance.

You'll find exploded parts diagrams at http://www.marinepartseurope.com/en/default.aspx

The buzzer for the standard panels is # 12 here http://www.marinepartseurope.com/en/volvo-penta-explodedview-7744450-30-5501.aspx

Presumably the part you require for the EVC unit is #2 here http://www.marinepartseurope.com/en/volvo-penta-explodedview-7744450-30-21459.aspx , If not then I guess it's hidden inside the EVC

However the trouble may be that the frequency is too high for you ... My hearing has been damaged by noise and I can barely hear some of these electronic "buzzers" because their frequency in in the affected range.

A am sure you could find an alternative to the standard buzzer and at a tiny fraction of VP's price. I dont know if the EVC buzzer is anything special.

 

[RIBW]

In my case, the buzzer was very subdued until I found that whoever worked on the panel before I bought the boat had connected the buzzer with reverse polarity. Swapping the two wires about made the buzzer too loud but it was clearly audible through the boat. Check the polarity with a meter - my sounder was clearly marked with + and - .
(My panel is closely related to the one described by Vic)
Cheers
Bob

 

[lawrence_craig]

The start/stop engine control panel for my Volvo D2-75 sailboat has a tachometer and an EVC unit - typical for boats where the engine has a Volvo MDI controller. Everything works as it should apart from the buzzer/sounder is not very loud. It works, but it’s a struggle to hear the beeps and I’m concerned that should an oil or temperature alarm activate I would not hear it. I have no idea if the buzzer/sounder is a separate item or if it’s combined in the tachometer or EVC unit. Externally there is no obvious buzzer/sounder unit as all that can be seen is the tachometer and EVC. Before undoing bits it would be good to know if anyone has any experience with these panels and can offer some advice. Perhaps there is an option for an external sounder or maybe some combination of presses on the EVC panel affects the volume? The instruction manual does not help. Thanks in advance.

If you have the tachometer with the digital LED display, the buzzer is built inside the tachometer.

My only possible suggestions is that either:

- (best case) the buzzer speaker is on its way out
- (worst case) the tachometer is on its way out

I talk from experience as I had the worst case happen to me recently and the first sign was the buzzer going, then the display then it failed.

Doubt there is any way to make louder without buying a new one.