1994 200HP Voltage Regulator Problem need advice

[catiiid]

I have a 1994 200hp Mariner ID#0G000919. Three weeks ago the temp buzzer went off. I had noticed the water pressure had dropped off lately so I guess it was my fault for not fixing it earlier. I slowed down the boat and the alarm turned off. Ran back in at a slower speed and the alarm stayed off. I noticed my voltage guage was intermittantly reading 17 volts, slowed down and it fell to 14.5 (normal). Changed my water pump and have increased water pressure and cooling seems okay. Took the family out and noticed the voltage gauge read 17 almost 18 volts. Had to run at less than 2000rpm to keep it down around 14 volts. Last mile to boat ramp I ran it back up to WOT and it stayed at 14.5 volts. I believe I have damaged my voltage regulator. Unfortunately my motor has two of them. The best I have found on-line is $108.00 each. Question is is there anyway to tell which one or both are bad, or should I bite the bullet and replace both? I have the manual and they have a procedure to check a bad one but if it works part of the time it would probably check okay. The part number for the new one is 194-5279. Can anybody verify this number? Also , could anything else cause the voltage to go high occasionally? Batteries are new, does it on all battery swich positions, and all connections are clean and tight. Thanks for any help.<br /><br />ED

 

[glen357]

Re: 1994 200HP Voltage Regulator Problem need advice

Hi,<br />I have a 200 Mercury 1993. I had a problem much like yours. I changed the V. regulators. It didnot help. come to find out I had a bad battery. Sound like you have a loose commection somewhere. If you havent done it lately clean battery connections and use a electlite (greese) & tighten with pliers. bypass battery switch to make sure that is not the problem. mercury part# is 892115-001, they were $132. ea. I think there the same. Hope this helps. G

 

[catiiid]

Re: 1994 200HP Voltage Regulator Problem need advice

Thanks for the info. I have new batteries and I cleaned the connections when I put them in. I did not check the Perko switch though. Your answer was what I was looking for I wanted to know if something else besides the regulators could cause the problem. Unfortunately I have already ordered the regulators. If that doesn't fix it I guess I will have some expensive spares. The boat is kept at a storage site 30 miles from my house so it makes it difficult to try to many things. <br /><br />ED

 

[catiiid]

Re: 1994 200HP Voltage Regulator Problem need advice

I thought I posted a reply but it didn't take. That is the kind of info I was looking for. I was wondering if something simple could cause my problem. I ahve already ordered the regulators so if that doesn't fix the problem I guess I will have some expensive spares. Thanks again. I did not think about the Perkop battery switch as maybe causing the problem.<br /><br />ED

 

[AndyL]

Re: 1994 200HP Voltage Regulator Problem need advice

I am not sure so no doubt someone will correct me but when I had a similar problem the tech that came down disconnected one of the Voltage regulators and then ran the engine up wioth a voltmeter across the battery terminals.. The voltage was constant at about 14.2 so obviously that regulator in that circuit was ok. He then disconnected that one and reconnected the other one and as soon as the battery had recovered from the start the voltage went up to 16.7 volts. At least it proved it was only one failed. You should consider yourself fortunate you are in the States as one regulator here cost just short of £200 or $340 of your dollars plus fitting!!

 

[catiiid]

Re: 1994 200HP Voltage Regulator Problem need advice

Thanks for the info. I may try that before I install my new regs. <br /><br />ED