50 Merc Charging question

[Jerry M.]

Out one day and the dash voltmeter started to swing from 0 to 16. The Tach jumped around as well. Then the tach went dead and the VM showed steady 12v. Figured from the manual that the tach is connected to the one side of the rectifier, thus the jumping in concert with VM. Since the prior owner had just replaced the stator, I ran a resistence test on the rectifier and determined it was dead. Since I replaced the rectifier, the output voltage is 14V at idle and low speed, and goes up to 16 on the dash VM when I crank it up. On my hand held voltmeter the reading is 14.5 at 3000+ rpm. I assume the dash meter is off. <br /><br />The qustion. Since the motor has no V-regulator Is it normal to always charge at 14+ volts even tho the battery is fully charged? Any danger of the battery to become overcharged? <br /><br />Jerry

 

[petryshyn]

Re: 50 Merc Charging question

Thats normal for a non regulated system. A fully charged battery will allow a high charge voltage. Keep the battery electrolyte level up, and turn some accessories on (lights)if the voltage creeps up higher than 15.5ish<br />

 

[Jerry M.]

Re: 50 Merc Charging question

Schematic, I kind of figure the same but I'm spooked since the rectifier cost $50 and I don't want to have to replace it again or the battery. I would think the rectifier cranks out 14V and can't understand why it would exceed that unless the stator is feeding more than the 9 amps specified in the manual.<br /><br />Jerry