Carb'd 2000 Saltwater Series 200 isn't Charging

[bldgengineer]

Started the boat today and she cut off after about 30 secs of run time. Started it up again and this time even it ran even shorter. I threw my trusty fluke meter on it and one battery is deader than a door nail and the other is just over 12v. Started it with the meter on and she jumps to about 12.5-12.8v and slowly drops to 12.0v before dying off.

I work on cars and grew up in an auto electrical rebuild shop. I know it has something to do with the charging system but I have no idea what to look for on this. Best I can tell is the flywheel on top has what looks like a rectifier underneath it and 4 yellow wires that run to 2 square boxes. I'm guessing voltage regulators? Am I close? It's gotten too dark and about to rain here. What's the best way to diagnose if these have gone bad? The motor only runs for so long. Are there relays I need to check too? I see 2 of them just below the boxes.


Thanks for any help!!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Carb'd 2000 Saltwater Series 200 isn't Charging

The charging system is just that, it has noting to do with the motor running or idling and yes those devices are the regulators / rectifiers and you can test those, and yes it sure sounds like some thing is out in the charging system. The battery is only used for starting.

 

[bldgengineer]

Re: Carb'd 2000 Saltwater Series 200 isn't Charging

Do you know the proper method to test these?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Carb'd 2000 Saltwater Series 200 isn't Charging

No I don't, their several different types and with different values so a manual is a necessity in most cases, and that will have the testing procedure

 

[bldgengineer]

Re: Carb'd 2000 Saltwater Series 200 isn't Charging

I have a book on the way. Is there anything else I should be looking at while I wait? hidden fuses? typical weak links that might cause problems? I find it weird that it all of the sudden just dropped out on me.

 

[Toddboat]

Re: Carb'd 2000 Saltwater Series 200 isn't Charging

When you first start a motor, it runs on fuel provided by the fuel enrichment system (prime start). It starts with a higher RPM than idle, then after 20-30 seconds or so, when it warms up, it drops down to idle speed. If you try to restart it again immediately afterwards, it starts at the same higher RPMS, then drops back to idle speed. The second time it's started, it would naturally warm up much quicker, and therefore drop back to idle speed within a couple seconds.
Try to start the motor again after it is fully cooled to see if it will run for 20 seconds again.
If it does, I suspect that your problem is not electrical, but rather fuel related. I'm thinking the idle speed screw needs adjustment, or the idle circuit in the carbs are clogged.

 

[bldgengineer]

Re: Carb'd 2000 Saltwater Series 200 isn't Charging

Thanks I'll definitely check that. I hope the carbs aren't clogged already. Any kind of quick remedy for something like that? Would I be able to throw some seafoam in somewhere besides the 80 gal fuel tank?

I'm out looking things over right now and I think you're right that it's not electrical. TheyIstalled an Iinline fuse from the popositive off the accessory wire basically making my perko switch off position useless for that battery and only having one start battery.

I'm hoping the idle jets arent clogged as I can't even imagine what a rebuild job would cost on these carbs!

 

[bldgengineer]

Re: Carb'd 2000 Saltwater Series 200 isn't Charging

I think I found the problem...

Thanks ToddBoat!

Anybody have any advice on cleaning and flushing a 60 gallon in hull tank??? (