WS420 water damage? Popping fuses? Opinions....

[HyperliteCowboy]

Hey all,
Was out on the lake this weekend enjoying the heck out of the sunshine, wake, wave, and some tunes when all of a sudden my WS420 blew it's 2A fuse. I do know the basics about electronics but by no means am I an expert, but tried a couple things.....first, I replaced the fuse and it came back on, for about 40 minutes....then it popped the fuse again. Replaced it 2 more times with same results. I was worried that maybe my ground and power wire that run up and around the bow and back into the receiver area were too lon and creating too much resistance, so I connected both directly to the battery temporarily and the same thing happened, so I knew it was not my power or ground source.

When I got home, disassembled the WS420 definitely smelled "the magic smoke" that seemed to be let out of the box. I just took the top cover off and since I was home and had access to more 2A fuses, I tried powering it up and it did again. I have posted a picture of what I THINK is corrosion/water damage. I also noticed that at the location labeled D1 on the circuit board it looked dis colored and the little black encasement around the solder points was loose and falling off around it. I'm hoping that someone can chime in about the corrosion aspect around all of the RCA's and then maybe someone who knows this circuit board can tell me about D1 on it and what it means to see that circuit discolored.

I bought this unit used but was advertised as only being used 2 times before he sold the boat....I may have been duped. I guess that's what I get for trusting people.

[HyperliteCowboy]

And also, if that is water damage/corrosion, will that cause the fuse to blow??? I didn't really think that any signal from the RCA's could affect the power source or pop a fuse....but there is my limit to what I know about electronics like these. Please someone help before I go buy a new one. Just want to be sure I'm doing the right thing.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Skidave]

Looks like corrosion from something wet. There might be an issue with time Vs heat as well. This is why it worked for a bit and then shut off. D1 is a diode of some sort.

I repair electronics for a living and audio is my hobby. Send me a PM if u want me to take a look at it.

[Bulldog39042]

I had a similar issue with my WS420 last spring and my dealer returned it to Wetsounds. Wetsounds did not warranty the unit because it had "corrosion" from some type of moisture. The only moisture the unit was exposed to was exposed to, besides normal humidity, was when I had my boat winterized and detailed, the dealer put my factory cover on my boat before the interior was fully dry. I assume this because when I uncovered the boat in the spring, there was some mold on the vinyl.

For a marine system, Wetsounds seem hyper sensitive to any type moisture IMO. Would expect more resiliency for what it costs!!!



I had to replace the unit out of my own pocket.

[HyperliteCowboy]

Thanks for the quick replies...Bulldog, what were your specific symptoms? And SkiDave, would corrosion like you see in picture cause fuses to pop? It was pretty hot this weekend too....but I would expect it can handle 90 degree days no problem. I've seen these things installed in dashes where it's even hotter too inside the dash.

[Bulldog39042]

Mine would hiss, squeal and pop when trying to play anything through any input. No blowing fuses or anything.

[HyperliteCowboy]

Before this fuse popping thing, there was one time where my tower speakers just started squealing so loud it was unbearable. Had to just turn the batteries off to get it to stop. It was the first time out with it after install. Could never figure it out and have been out with it a couple time since this weekend without issue. Was your squealing and popping loud?

[Bulldog39042]

YES! Very loud

[HyperliteCowboy]

Ahhhh okay, I know that LOUD youre talking about. Its unbearable!!! I have 4 REV10's on the tower and it about made my ears bleed....Thanks for your input!!! So by replacing it, it solved your problems? Everything was fine after that?

[Bulldog39042]

I too have 4 REV10s and I feel your pain. Yes, that solved my problem. Been playing well since, but really has made me question using WS on my next boat. Like I said earlier, too sensitive to moisture for a "marine" system

[HyperliteCowboy]

Roger that. Again thanks for the input. I do agree about it not being resiliant enough to a certain point, however, Ive had many other manufacturers components in previous boats and I have not found a combo that measures up to the Wetsounds products....completely my opinion only. I would say that the EQ is definitely the one thing they should make a little more weather / moisture resistant. I have never had any other issues with any other of their products.

Its good to at least coroborate my situation with someone else who had similar symptoms as mine. Just ordered a new WS420...we shall see how it turns out!

[Skidave]

If moisture or corrosion is/was under the power supply parts, the yes this would cause the fuse to blow. Corrosion under the RCA connectors would possibly cause poor signal or oscillation (the squealing that may be heard). Electronics and moisture are not a good mix. The circuit board should be sealed or dipped in a sealant...making it a marine grade component. There is more to just that for it to be marine grade, but each addition costs $$$.