Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Stuff happen's, its the nature of the game. Here's something most folks never even think about - Lightning. Some of you know me, I'm kinda weird, I'm electrical/electronics engineer. lol. Lightning, and lightning protection is one of my engineering passions.
I lost my engine control module, alternator rectifier assembly, etc to lightning. The boat was parked right in front of my garage door (my side of the garage). I was on a business trip, came home & was prepping to go fishing, put the ears on and tried starting the motor (its part of my routine). NOTHING going, did all the usual checks, fuel spark, no spark. Next stop my local marina, ~$785 a few days later I was on the water. Then I recall my wife telling me on one of our phone calls that "we" were having a big thunderstorm one night and lightning had struck very close to the house - scared her and the cat.....
I always disconnect my electronics and TM when I park the boat at the house or even when at the dock if I know there are thunderstorms likely. I hadn't thought about the engine control electronics, that's a mistake I won't make again - installed additional TVSS (transient voltage surge suppression) on my boat's electrical system.
So, how did the damage occur? Well lightning not only has a huge electrical current that you can see- the strike (actually multiple strikes), but also a huge magnetic field's that you can't see. The magnetic field rise and collapse generated a large electrical voltage in the boat's electrical wiring via magnetic induction. That's what damaged my boat's electronics. Fortunately, my Humminbird 997SI was in the garage.
Lightning can also be like electrical rust - it doesn't always create immediate visible damage, but it stresses the electronics, e.g., capacitors and semiconductor components. It happens and there's very little you can do - yeah its a pain unhooking stuff. It's much more painful digging into your wallet or not being able to fish.
LOL- realistically you shouldn't need a sonar to find fish, but they sure are fun!
Have fun!
Al
Edited by ESOX Maniac 6/29/2013 7:13 AM
|
