High Voltage

[Beefer]

I was running around today, attempting to fish, and on my way back, my Humminbird 383c FF/GPS sounded an alarm for High Voltage Input. My boat has NO gauges, and I use the voltmeter on the 383c as my gauge. Anyway, it was showing at the time 17.6v - 18.8v. Is this something I need to worry about? Oh, and it's a '94 Bayliner Capri 16', with a '94 Force 70HP ob. Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: High Voltage

sounds like recitifier or regulator going bad, it can burn up equipment, and over charge the battery, thus ruining it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: High Voltage

I'm not sure that engine has a voltage regulator on the charging system or not but if it does, it is apparently not working. If it doesn't have a voltage regulator, it is possible for unregulated systems to reach fairly high voltages which can damage electronics if that equipment doesn't have high and low voltage protection circuitry. What some folks do when running long distances with unregulated systems is to turn on more accessories, such as lights, radio, etc to put more load on the sytem to lower the voltage.

 

[Beefer]

Re: High Voltage

Ok. The voltage went down as the day continued, but I'll keep an eye on it when I'm out again this weekend. If I don't have a voltage regulator, is it possible to add one?

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: High Voltage

I have a 383c as well. I get these from time to time for low voltage. However, my voltage meter on my boat shows it as fine.

Me thinks it may be a 383c thing. Mine will show around 8 volts yet my gauge shows it still in the 12 range.

 

[Beefer]

Re: High Voltage

I was wondering if that may be the case. I have a volt meter to install, just haven't gotten to it yet. Thanks

 

[gss036]

Re: High Voltage

Most of the Humminbirds have an adjustment for low and high alarm readings for the alarm to sound.

 

[John_S]

Re: High Voltage

I experienced that with my unregulated outboard and HB 400TX units, last year. Anytime I was at wot or near wot runs, the over voltage warning would come on. I would turn on lights, as suggested above, to get the voltage back down. Now, in my case, it appears that this was an early warning of the battery going out. By the end of that season, the battery would not hold a charge. It had some lake water contamination from a prior spring flood, and was being run with hope that the battery wasn't trash. I replaced the battery in the spring of this season, and now the voltage stays in the safe range.