1970's Thunderbolt 1350 Voltage Problem

[Wowgamer]

I have a early 70's Mercury 1350. Everything runs wonderfully idles fine, but I checked my voltage on the battery during idle and it is reading 35-50V DC. I changed the rectifier because I thought it was faulty, but it is still doing the same thing. There isn't a regulator on this and I am afraid I will ruin my battery by running it.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1970's Thunderbolt 1350 Voltage Problem

The voltage should not get that high. The battery should act as a load and pull the voltage down to 1/2 that. Are you sure the meter is set properly and you are reading it correctly? Some meters have doubler settings, which can be confusing.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: 1970's Thunderbolt 1350 Voltage Problem

Before condemning your charging system, try another meter.

I have one meter that just does not read properly with the outboard for some unknown reason. My other "cheaper" meter works as expected. Go figure.

 

[Wowgamer]

Re: 1970's Thunderbolt 1350 Voltage Problem

Pulled my fluke meter from work and it read 16.5V DC... That is what I get for using low budget meters... Thanks guys.

 

[Jacket4life]

Re: 1970's Thunderbolt 1350 Voltage Problem

LOL.
My Dad was an electrician, and he would use ANY meter that didn't say Fluke on it. Didn't even call a voltmeter that, just said "Go get me that Flukemeter." Always said there was no Fluke about them being the best selling meter in the world. LOL. Glad you got your prob. straight.

 

[j_martin]

Re: 1970's Thunderbolt 1350 Voltage Problem

Pulled my fluke meter from work and it read 16.5V DC... That is what I get for using low budget meters... Thanks guys.

Notice that the voltage on that system is "regulated" by the battery. It will use some water doing that. As long as you keep up on the battery maintenance, it'll be fine. If you let the electrolyte get below the plate tops, you lose that capacity, and for some scientific reason I don't know, it can't be recovered.

hope it helps
John