High Charging Voltage

[Big Fish Billy]

On my 1997 40hp Force, I noticed charging at 16.25 volts. I was kind of happy to see it was charging, but after reading through the "sticky" above, I see it's a problem. I see the sticky is from 2008, just wondering if you guys are still using that fix, or has something better come along?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[Jiggz]

Re: High Charging Voltage

Actually yes, it is still the preferred method to install a voltage rectifier/regulator for overcharging problems. However, some people have reported problems of faulty brand new regulator units especially those bought from Amazons or ebay.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: High Charging Voltage

1997 40HP motor uses a voltage rectifier/regulator from the factory. Double check your reading with a volt meter right at the battery. If it is still reading 16.25 VDC, then either someone has replaced the rectifier/regulator with just a rectifier, or the rectifier/regulator is bad.

Here is a rectifier.

http://www.ebasicpower.com/c/OB-CHRREG-RECT/graphics/00000001/CDI155-1450.jpg

Here is a rectifier/regulator.
http://www.iboats.com/mall/image/view/3/3/1945279_2.jpg


As Jiggz mentioned, some of the "universal" rectifiers/regulators have not worked as expected.

 

[Big Fish Billy]

Re: High Charging Voltage

Mine doesn't look like either one of those, it is pictured as bolted to the front of the exhaust plate. Metal frame with bake light type filling.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: High Charging Voltage

That's a rectifier/regulator. Like I said, double check charging voltage at the battery with a meter. If you're looking at the gauge in the dash, it's not uncommon for them to be a couple of volts off. It should be no more that 14.5 volts at 2000+ RPM's.

 

[Big Fish Billy]

Re: High Charging Voltage

Thanks I had checked it with a tester at a fast idle and it was 16.25, but I'll check it again. Also in the process of other things, I noticed that when I hooked up the battery I had that little telltale spark that lets you know there's a short somewhere, is that normal, is something getting powered up in the engine. But the boats been sitting a while and still tests at 12.25 before I start up. Looked it up here and if this is it, it's $119. http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfind...=40&gd_search_11444=1997&session_id=928714581

 

[pnwboat]

Re: High Charging Voltage

If you have any accessories such as a radio or fish/depth finder, you may see a small spark when you hook up the battery. If the battery is still charged after sitting for a while, I doubt that you've got a short that's draining the battery. There are several sources for a replacement rectifier/regulator.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: High Charging Voltage

The spark can be from the radio, depth finder or any accs.
The radio if it has a didital clock will draw.
Or the depth finder, it can be off and still draw voltage.
Had a situation where if I left the battery switch on the battery would go dead.
Traced it to the depth finder.
Even though it was off it was still drawing voltage..

 

[Big Fish Billy]

Re: High Charging Voltage

No I'm not lucky enough to have any accessories yet, just lights, bilge, and live bait well pump, all with switches off.