1996 Force 120 "High" Volt reading

[Mike Yeatts]

Fishing on saturday and while running 5000 RPMs noticed the volt meter looked like it was reading around 15 on meter. It normally seems to operate around 13 volts while running. I shut down the engine, checked under the cowling for anything unusual - found nothing - checked the battery terminals, everything tight, so started it back up and the volts seemed "normal" rest of the day. Is this the beginning of the Voltage regulator, or rectifier going bad? Any ideas appreciated!! <br /><br />Thanks, <br />Mike

 

[sproz]

Re: 1996 Force 120 "High" Volt reading

Hi, seems a lot of people including me have high volt readings on these engines without problems...I hope!!

 

[ewaltb]

Re: 1996 Force 120 "High" Volt reading

Same thing on my '93 120 Force. The voltage is around 16 while running. No problems yet.

 

[paul35]

Re: 1996 Force 120 "High" Volt reading

I had the same problem on my 1988 125 than one day it kept reading 14-16 volts consistantly. Changed the rectifier and it still does it. I put my problem on the board and it apears that several other people have the same symptoms with no problems. I am still running fine.

 

[robertmcp72]

Re: 1996 Force 120 "High" Volt reading

my 150 hp does the same thing

 

[gatorback5575]

Re: 1996 Force 120 "High" Volt reading

Hopefully someone still follows this thread. I recently started experiencing this problem on my 120 but it is intermittent. I checked all the obvious wiring problems, tight fittings, corrosion, grounds etc. Tach remains steady and accurate. Volt gauge will occassionally for 3 or 4 minutes intermittently read 16-18, then drop back to 13.8. Happens at all RPM's over 1000. I verified the volt reading with another volt meter while running and the stock is correct. Is it possible for a regulator to be intermittent like this? Should I replace the regulator or just live with it? I noticed someone here replaced the rectifier/regulator and ended up with the same results. Hopefully, someone found an answer to this issue. <br /><br />Battery is 4 months old, marine battery 660CCA. <br /><br />No problems have resulted from the condition (yet) and everything continues to work OK so far.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1996 Force 120 "High" Volt reading

Hi Force Guy, welcome to iboats.<br /><br />Your battery is part of the regulating system.<br />That is why it is important to always have a battery hooked up to your motor when it is running.<br /><br />Your battery may be starting to fail, get old, lose a cell, whatever you want to call it.<br /><br />You might want to swap the battery with another, even your car battery, to see if the problem persists. If all is well with the second battery, you know it is time to replace the boat battery, before it fails and leaves you stranded.<br /><br />Even new batteries can fail, plates can break and ground out a cell. If you search the forums, you will find that many people have bought new batteries that had a bad cell.<br /><br />Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[tasker hudson]

Re: 1996 Force 120 "High" Volt reading

Sounds like the battery to me too, the voltage is peaking because the battery is losing amps too fast from an internal short. Or could be external.