Over Voltage Condition

[Mark R.]

Background:
Ressurection of 1996 SeaRay 175 BRXL is now nearly complete.
All new outdrive seals, impeller, gimbal bearing, bellows, shift cable, etc.
Prepping for lake trial. Ran it on the garden hose yesterday, with good results.

Condition:
Boat has Faria gauges and the Volts gauge was displaying only 11 Volts.
So I checked it with my DVM, and the system was actually at 14.9 volts DC.
Not sure why alternator is putting out so much. Concerned about boiling battery.
4.3 LX Gen+ engine with S/N: 0F803561. Any ideas or suggestions..?
.

 

[Chris1956]

Normally overvoltage would be caused by a low back voltage to the alternator. You might check for clean connections on the wiring from battery to alternator, and wiring harness to alternator.

 

[Mark R.]

Normally overvoltage would be caused by a low back voltage to the alternator. You might check for clean connections on the wiring from battery to alternator, and wiring harness to alternator.

.
OK. I will closely inspect all of the wiring and the connections...
Just to confirm: I am checking the voltage at the battery terminals.
After sitting all night, the battery voltage is at 12.6 Volts.
With the engine running at 1000 RPM, the battery is at 14.9 Volts.
Do you agree that's too high.? I've always heard 14.5V is the max...
.

 

[flashback]

It's a tad high if it is consistent. I wouldn't worry.

 

[Bondo]

OK. I will closely inspect all of the wiring and the connections...
Just to confirm: I am checking the voltage at the battery terminals.
After sitting all night, the battery voltage is at 12.6 Volts.
With the engine running at 1000 RPM, the battery is at 14.9 Volts.
Do you agree that's too high.? I've always heard 14.5V is the max...
.

Ayuh,.... In my experiences, on a cold start, it'll come in that high, then settle down to 13.6 volts,....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Nothing to sweat unless the alternator was putting out more than 16 volts.

14 - 15 volts is normal on startup

 

[Mark R.]

.
OK. I will keep an eye on it, and get an updated reading with it warmed up and stable.

Is there some method for adjusting the Volt meter gauge to make it read more accurately.?
.

 

[Chris1956]

I expect all you can do is clean up the contacts and see if that helps. Voltmeters like clocks need to be accurate and reliable. Your voltmeter is likely reliable, so you can figure out how low it reads and add that voltage on in your mind.

 

[Jeff J]

Cleaning the contacts is always a good first step. You can also use your digital volt meter at the gauge to see if the voltage drop is in the harness or the gauge.