Guage Questions??

[jstaguy24]

I have a merc 470 with an alternator conversion kit. It is a single wire alternator. When running my guage reads about 10 volts. When I meter test it I have about 12-13 volts off, and about 14 to 15 volts when running. Is there any wiring change I can make to make the guage read the proper voltage? Also my gas guage is only reading 1/2 with the tank full. It had sat for a couple years with about a half tank of bad gas in it. I drained it and filled with fresh gas but wont go above half. Anyway to set them? thanks for any info
David

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Guage Questions??

Howdy,

You have a poor, loose, or corroded electrical connection someplace. Most likely a ground connection at the block, battery or other main ground connection or it could be one of the main 12v+ connections or fuses.

Your main voltmeter is measuring voltage in a circuit with multiple ground and wire connections. If you have a poor connection in any of them the meter will also read the voltage - (minus) the voltage drop across the bad connection(s).

When you use your multi-meter, you're measuring directly from the alt or battery to it's own ground post.

In a boat that old, every connection in the boat could have corrosion.


regards,


Rick