16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha 130ETXD

[Wahoo18_1992]

I bought a new VHF radio which warns when the voltage goes high.
It started beeping while running.
Multimeter reads 16.4v while running at about 3000 rpm.

Battery seems to be ok and engine apparently has been purring for two decades but, "trying to fix what ain't broken"...

Should I go ahead and replace the voltage regulator?

Should I be using a different battery? - currently using a WalMart Marine battery.

Does anyone know if there is a specific or optimum type/size of battery for this engine model?

Along those lines, can anyone recommend the best (DIY) service manual for this engine (recently acquired the boat)?

Thank you for any advice!

 

[scottcmb]

Re: 16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha 130ETXD

disconnect your battery and measure the voltage should be 12-12.5 volts......if it is and im sure it will be, sounds like your regulator needs looking at!!.....i personally would not run it again until this problem is sorted out!!

 

[Wahoo18_1992]

Re: 16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha 130ETXD

Once out of the water, I measured it and it was at 12.4v.

Thank you for the advice. Will replace.

Any advantage to buying a regulator from my local boat shop vs. the web?
Any common scams going on with boat parts on the web?
Any particular place you would recommend to buy from?

And, again, any particular make/type of battery you recommend for this motor? I am thinking of buying a second battery once I replace the V.R., to keep one onboard as backup.

Thank you again for your help.

 

[scottcmb]

Re: 16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha 130ETXD

IMO either way of purchasing is good....as long as its a genuine yamaha dealer and the part comes with the genuine yammy part number sticker on it!!......im not sure what batteries are available where you are.....your local dealer should be able to help you out there......if you plan on using a dual battery set up........make sure that when they are connected together that both batteries have a seperate battery isolator switch for each battery so that way if you are out fishing all day using fishfinder and GPS etc etc while the motor is switched off you can isolate one battery to keep as a back up and run off the other

 

[BruceAML]

Re: 16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha 130ETXD

To me, the only manuals that are complete and accurate are the Yamaha factory service manuals. You can order it here:
http://www.yamahapubs.com/html/itemsearch.jsp?type=OB&Year=1990&Brand=&model=130ETXD
Sometimes you can find them on the various on-line auction sites.
Your motor has a rectifier/regulator assembly. Does you battery have vent caps where you can fill up the battery cells? As I recall, your motor needs to have the type of battery that does not have sealed cells. You may want to check the acid level in your current battery and also the specific gravity of each of the six cells.

 

[Wahoo18_1992]

Re: 16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha L130ETXD

Re: 16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha L130ETXD

I just received the part from a local shop.
Part# 6R3-81960-10-00 RECTIFIER/REG ASY

The bag/label doesn't show the last two zeroes (-00) at the end but it still "sounds" like the right part.

I opened the engine cowling and did a quick check last evening and, at first glance, the connectors coming out of the existing voltage regulator didn't seem to match the connectors on the new one...

The new one has three green wires going to one coupling (for alternator?), a black wire with a round connector (ground?) and... don't remember the other two right now but the old one seems to have individual connectors at the end of each of its six wires.
At least the number of wires (6) is the same!

Before I start unbolting anything, does anyone have any advice on how to proceed or, better yet, do you know of any links to a how-to website?

Thank you

 

[Wahoo18_1992]

Re: 16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha 130ETXD

Well, newbie error.
The voltage regulator matched the old one fine. My quick look had been on the port side. The volt. reg. is on the starboard side. Opened the plastic cover and replaced. Took some pictures, if anybody is interested, but it was so basic, it really was a matter of looking in the right place, and... plug-n-play.
Measured 14.4v afterwards while running at low rpm (on driveway) but measured 14.9v at higher rpm, on the water, still a bit high, I thought.

Went 20 miles offshore this weekend and lost the livewell recirc. pump, so,
Replaced the battery for an EverStart type 27 yesterday. (previous was same but type 26 and from 2003!! Tested as being well, though.)

Will test voltage this weekend.

 

[Wahoo18_1992]

Re: 16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha 130ETXD

Measured voltage while running with the new setup - New battery and new regulator.

Voltage out of the regulator is still at 14.70v while running mid range (2300).
I still think it should be lower.

Does anyone know what the correct/expected/design output should be out of the regulator?
Maybe it IS 14.7 but I would think it should be lower with a fully charged, new battery.

My thread is becoming more of a monologue... Any replies would be very welcome.

Thank you!

 

[scottcmb]

Re: 16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha 130ETXD

In my opinion i think your new reading is fine you will find that new regulators can range anywhere between 13.8 through to 14.6 volts....just the luck out of the box really...i personally have measured a new one at 13.5 volts...still ran fine for years and still charging the system well!!......i wouldnt worry to much about your new regulator.....it also could be possible that your digital volt meter could be out by .2 or .3 volts..that happens aswell.
I personally think that your system is fine now and go and enjoy some boating

 

[scottcmb]

Re: 16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha 130ETXD

Oh and by the way, when your battery is fully charged and no current draw from your charging system accept for your ignition system whilst running will show your highest voltage reading!......its when you start to put more load on your alternator and start to draw more current than it can supply is when you will start to encounter voltage drop.

eg: if your alternator is rated at 30 amps...and you are out there driving around in your midrange rpm (this rpm gives you 30 amps) and you have all your lights on, fish finder, gps, flood lights etc etc if all these things turned on adds up to more than 30 amps thats when you will start to notice that your voltage will start to read lower......the more things turned on over the 30 amp draw the lower your voltage will go and the beginnings of slowly flattening your battery.........you should see what a grunty anchor winch can drop the voltage to with its high current draw when trying to pull a submerged anchor up out of mud and this is whith the engine running at fast idle.

 

[Wahoo18_1992]

Re: 16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha 130ETXD

Thank you for some peace of mind. Wish I had gotten the lower-voltage regulator out of the pinata.

I guess what's bugging me the most is that I bought a new VHF radio whose top voltage limit is 14.3v so, with the 14.7v level, I can't have the radio on while running without it beeping and risking frying it...

I have to wonder about my dead recirculating pump, too. The previous owner said that that is about the third pump that dies. Not sure what's killing them... ?? This one is only two months old and used a total of... 1 hour, tops.

I would rather not have to set up a second, deep-cycle battery to connect the 'toys' to but migh have to...

Thanks again for the shared knowledge.

 

[Jimdsi]

Re: 16.4 Volts while running - 1990 Yamaha 130ETXD

The volt meter on my 1995 Wellcraft has always read a little on the high side (15-16 volts). Maybe it is designed this way to quickly recharge the battery after a heavy load. Never had an electrical problem with the boat or electronics, so I'm not worrying about it...