Charging volts ? Water Presure?

[stsmith]

I just finshed putting the center console in my 1960 Starcraft 1978 55hp Johnson no regulator that I can find. Plus all the gauges it didn't have. Water Presure, Tach, Head Temp, and Volt meter. All controlled by a seperate switch from the battery. Stayed out of the control box, because manual said "Do Not Connect Anything to the ignition Switch."<br />The volt meter only shows 12 volts at 1000 rpm with the ears on (haven't put it in the water yet) shoudn't it be 13-13.5 volts? I also have a good tatle tale stream but the water pres. gauge only shows about 3lbs is this right?<br /><br />You guys are the best!<br />Thanks Smitty

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Charging volts ? Water Presure?

You may not see much change in voltage until around 2K rpm. Not sure about the water pressure.

 

[backdraft]

Re: Charging volts ? Water Presure?

You can't get a good reading that's accurate on a water pressure gauge on ears. When in the water an indication of 4 to 5 lbs. is OK for idling. At speed it should be at least 10 to 15 of more. There is a ram effect when at speed. Some motors at speed will indicate 25 to 30 lbs.

 

[stsmith]

Re: Charging volts ? Water Presure?

Update to charging problem. Took off the rectifier and tested as per Joe Reeves information, it tested to be good. Used hand held digital volt meter not gauge, engine off 11.98 volts, engine ruuning 12.24 volts (1000 rpm). That does not seem to be much of <br />an increase in volts. Is this enough to keep the battery charged?<br /><br /> Thanks for the info on water presure guys. Any help on the charging system would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks Smitty

 

[lark2004]

Re: Charging volts ? Water Presure?

Wait and see what happens when you get onto the water, the volts should pick up when you give her a bit more throttle.

 

[stsmith]

Re: Charging volts ? Water Presure?

Well I put it in the water and the water presure came up. But still no change in the charging system. So I replaced the rectifier anyway. No Luck, must be in the stator. Is there anything else in that charging system? It is a 1978 Johnson 55hp Model # 55EL78S.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Charging volts ? Water Presure?

You are checking a charge system with a volt meter, you need an amp meter to do that. You can check amp's with a digital volt meter, but you need a shunt of known value to do that.If your volt meter is showing one value with the engine off, and any rise with the engine running, your system is working. That engine is only a 4, 0r 6 amp system.

 

[ob]

Re: Charging volts ? Water Presure?

Had similar voltage reading situation some time ago on a 96' model 70 hp Rude and replaced the volt meter.Original one was reading 1 volt low.Also,the battery state of charge will vary the meter reading.

 

[Stumpys]

Re: Charging volts ? Water Presure?

Smitty...<br /><br />The voltage should increase with RPM's, sometimes depending on your stator up to 18 volts. They never regulated the low amp systems because the higher the voltage, the less the current. this is why the battery does not blow up with that kind of voltage spike.<br /><br />Anyway, since you checked the rectifier, check the stator for shorts, or a ground with a DVM on omhs. The value between both stator leads should be 0.25-0.45 Yellow/Gray, and 0.1-0.3 Yellow/Blue.<br />Each lead should read infinite to ground, that is one lead from your DVM on the stator lead, and the other to ground. This is only when is is still installed.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Charging volts ? Water Presure?

On the water pressure, the Teleflex gauge website has pressure specs, probably for your motor. I know they were accurate for my early 80s Johnny V6. I get pretty much 0 on the gauge on the hose, but in the water it pretty much shows what the spec says it should be. Good luck.