1992 force 150 hp not charging battery

[bluebackfisher]

I have a 1992 force 150 hp outboard and it doesn’t seam to be charging the battery adequately. The volt meter in the Dash of the boat says when it’s running that the voltage is under 12 at times? It never seems to charge above 12 or 13 V . The charge of the batteries gets so low that it’s hard to turn the boat over at times? If anybody has an idea what could be causing this problem I sure would appreciate some insight. Someone told me that may be the rep stat. If This is the problem how do I test to see if it’s defective or not?

 

[jerryjerry05]

You have the Prestolite or Mercury ignition??

First thing do a compression test(post results).
Then load test the battery after it's been fully charged.
You can have a battery read 12v but still have a bad cell.
Then get a meter and hook it to the battery(don't trust the gauge)
Key off check voltage, then turn key on, check voltage, start motor check voltage.
Post readings.
Some motor/stators won't charge unless they rev past 2000
Then they charge at lower rpm's.

Regular or deep cycle battery? Need a regular starting battery.
You system won't charge a deep cycle right.

outboardignitiondotcom has test procedures for your motor.

 

[bluebackfisher]

According to the seloc manual, it has a “Thunderbolt” ignition. The previous owner had two deep cycle batteries in it so I thought that those would work. One gets up to 12.43 volts after charging and the other one reaches 12.74. The one with lower voltage may need to be replaced so I could replace it with a starting battery. I will be checking the compression in a few days and the voltages and post the results. Thanks for the help.

 

[The Force power]

According to the seloc manual, it has a “Thunderbolt” ignition. The previous owner had two deep cycle batteries in it so I thought that those would work. One gets up to 12.43 volts after charging and the other one reaches 12.74. The one with lower voltage may need to be replaced so I could replace it with a starting battery

Do NOT use a deep-cycle & Starting battery together on the same charging-circuit! they both charge (rate) differently.
It can/will damage your charging-system

Get the deep-cycle batteries tested at shop/store to determine if they're still good.
As jerryjerry already said; Deep-cycle batteries are not recommended to be charged by the out-board's charging-system.
I would recommend a 1 (seize 31) starting battery for starting outboard, deep-cycle batteries can be used for trolling-motor if you have one?

your gauge on the dash may not be accurate (as Jerry mentioned) check with a meter at mid-range rpms to see if voltage increases in the battery

 

[jerryjerry05]

I should have added: get a FACTORY manual.
Usually found on eBay.
Seloc/ Clymer aren't the best.
They have a lot of general info for a whole bunch of different motors but don't have the specifics
needed for any motor..

outboardignitiondotcom says "Don't use a deep cycle battery for the Force charging system"
If they(Seloc) say you have a Thunderbolt Ignition there's a 50-50 chance they're wrong.
Post a pic?
The 92 came with 2 systems, Prestolite or Mercury???

Since you do have DC batteries, I'd bet the charging system is good???

 

[puffitu]

DO NOT USE DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES..! I found out the hard way..My boat also came with a deepcycle battery. The previous owner must have just thrown it in just to show the boat running, and who knows if he was aware of the issues it may cause. I didn't give much thought and it fried one charging module.

 

[bluebackfisher]

Thanks for the help, I took your advise and now the motor is charging. I replaced the deep cycle with a 1000 mca marine starting battery and took voltage readings. Battery voltage was at 12.5 and 13.5 at idle speed. At fast idle the reading was about 14.5. I found a used factory service manual on eBay and correctly cleaned, adjustedand synced and linked the carbs. Now the motor runs much smoother and doesn't sputter and hesitate at midrange anymore. Thanks again for all your replies!

 

[jerryjerry05]

One more test.
Can of starting fluid, start motor, spray the SF around the intake side of the motor.
Make sure spray under the carbs(not in the carbs) and around the 5 port covers.
If the spray makes ANY difference then it's sucking air somewhere and the gaskets need resealing or replacing.
Glad it's running.