40 hp overcharging questions.

[dirttrax]

I have a 93 model 40hp evinrude. I took the boat out to day and noticed my volts were at 16 while running and around 14 at idle. It also showed 16 on my depth finder so I know it isnt the guage. Was wondering if anyone had any advice on what to look for or check before I just order a regulator for it. They seem to be a bit pricey so was hoping there might be another solution. Thanks for any help or advice.

 

[rolmops]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

If it is 16 and no higher,I would just let it be.

 

[Big Fish Billy]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

First step is to clean, all the battery terminals and connections, including starter solenoid & starter, next make sure your battery is full and can hold a charge...disconnected it should hold at 12.6 volts indefinitely...you don't want to run your electronics at 16 volts, some will have an overvoltage message, some, like my new radio will just blow....

 

[boobie]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

The 16 volts is normal for that motor. They used to make a regulator that would work, part # 173640 but don't know if it's still available or not. Or else turn some lights on and that should knock down the voltage.

 

[F_R]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

Model number??? Some had voltage regulators, some did not. 16V is normal on the unregulated systems.

 

[Big Fish Billy]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

I had one....ran at 16.8 volts at 2,000, 18 opened up a bit more, cleaned the cables 15.8, replaced the battery 13.8....your Hummingbird ain't gonna hum long at 16 volts.

 

[dirttrax]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

This one does have a regulator. It has never ran over 14 maybe 14.5 at WOT just all of a sudden started running 16 on guage 16.2 on depth finder. Its a brand new battery. I will check all connections before I try it out again and if that dont work guess i will just buy a regulator. I dont want to have to run lights etc to pull it down. My garmin has the overcurrent protection and when it started alarming and shutting down is what led me to seeing the overcharge issue. Im real paticular about looking at my guages so i know it wasnt doing it at the dock just started when I was running across the lake. I went ahead and fished all day but it was still doing it when i loaded it. thanks guys.

 

[dirttrax]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

I will add i shouldnt have said it does have a regulator because im at work and have not actually pulled the cowl off to see, but im reading online that it does but it may not. F_R the model number is TE40ELETB

Thanks guys

 

[Crosbyman]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

Sometimes if you need to drop the voltage on a device the input voltage can be dropped by hooking up 1-2-3 diodes in series on the +12 supply.
For example... some diodes will let current flow (one way of course) yet they will introduce a small voltage drop .

A couple in series will accumulate to a 1-2-3- volt drop to the apparatus.

It is easier than calculating some resistor value because voltage drop in resistor circuits are proportionnal to the series total resistive load value.

Diodes will let the current flow while knocking down the voltage regardless (I think it is called forward voltage drop value) 3-4 of them will knock down the 16 volts to a safer level.

Another method is to wire up a couple of Radio Shack 12volt regulators (couple dollars each) in parallel. Each one can handle 1 amp.
My Humminbird would auto-shutdown with my Merc Classic at 16volts, 2 regulators in parallel gave me a **** flat 12 volts regardless of motor voltage fluctuations. The regulators will regulate from 12-30 volts down to 12 volts. Just wire the assembly between the accessory switch feeding +12 to the depth sounder and the sounder itself.


4 diodes will give a 2.8 volt drop (approx) just use a high capacity diode so it won't heat up .
Get some at DOUBLE the expected load ( minimum 5-10 amp diodes)

added text...googled from a site...

A diode forward voltage refers to the voltage drop that occurs when an electrical current passes through a diode in an electrical circuit. It is generally independent of the amount of current passing through the diode, and will be the same for a given family of diodes. For silicon diodes, which are generally the most common, the diode forward voltage drop is about 0.7 volts (V).

Diodes are devices that pass electric current in one direction only, and therefore may be thought of as a kind of one-way valve for electrons. When the electrons are moving in the correct direction to pass through the diode, the diode is said to be forward biased. Thus, the diode forward voltage drop is also known as the forward bias voltage drop.

 

[boobie]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

It's nice to get a model #. According to that yours does have a regulator. It's only about $225.00.

 

[dirttrax]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

It's nice to get a model #. According to that yours does have a regulator. It's only about $225.00.

Yeah that's why I'm gonna check it over before dropping that on a new one. Thanks

 

[F_R]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

What I have trouble understanding is why boat electronics mfrs don't put a voltage regulator chip in their products. It would be simple and cheap, and save on warranty comebacks. Seems like a no-brainer. "Most" outboards without PTT are/were unregulated, and 16+V is normal. Including my own.

 

[rolmops]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

What I have trouble understanding is why boat electronics mfrs don't put a voltage regulator chip in their products. It would be simple and cheap, and save on warranty comebacks. Seems like a no-brainer. "Most" outboards without PTT are/were unregulated, and 16+V is normal. Including my own.

Many companies do instill a fairly large tolerance in their electronics. My garmin 182 gps has a tolerance of up to 24 volt and so does my uniden vhs and humminbird fishfinder. My 75 horse merc often went up to 18 volts with never a problem many of them have a fuse that helps.If the voltage goes up too high it will increase the amperage and the fuse blows

 

[Big Fish Billy]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

There used to be a sticky here discussing this problem, and folks wiring in snowmobile regulators, couldn't find it. Running at high charging voltage will eventually cook your battery. Another solution is to add a Perko battery switch, and a second battery for your electronics. Starting from home with two fully charged batterys, when running out have the switch on battery "1", your electronics wired to battery ""2 will receive no charging voltage from the engine. On you way home, turn off your sensitive electronics, set the switch to "Both" and you'll charge both batterys on your ride back. That way at least you'll have a second battery aboard in case of emergency. Adding a draining light will not drop the voltage to 14, the motor will rise to the occasion, run the light, and still pour 18 into the system.

 

[F_R]

Re: 40 hp overcharging questions.

Many companies do instill a fairly large tolerance in their electronics. My garmin 182 gps has a tolerance of up to 24 volt and so does my uniden vhs and humminbird fishfinder. My 75 horse merc often went up to 18 volts with never a problem many of them have a fuse that helps.If the voltage goes up too high it will increase the amperage and the fuse blows

Good, I'm glad somebody got some smarts out there. I guess you just have to know what your particular device can stand.