90hp 1988 not charging

nudge

Recruit
Joined
Jun 15, 2010
Messages
1
Is it likely to cause any problems if we continue to run the 90hp V4 1988 outboard whilst its not charging the battery? Dont have any accessories that will use a lot of current from the battery. Unsure of the cause but at this stage dont wish to repair it unless its necessary.
 

bktheking

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
5,057
Re: 90hp 1988 not charging

Has it got power tilt/trim? The first thing I'd do is test the round rectifier on the block.

Joe Reeves test:

Remove the rectifier wires from the terminal block. Using a ohm meter, connect the black lead of the ohm meter to the rectifier base (ground), then one by one, connect the red lead of the ohm meter to the yellow, yellow/gray,
then the red wire (some rectifiers may also have a fourth yellow/blue wire. If so connect to that also). Now, reverse the ohm meter leads and check those same wires again. You should get a reading in one direction, and none at all in the other direction.

Now, connect the black lead of the ohm meter to the red wire. One by one, connect the red lead of the ohm meter to the yellow, yellow/gray, and if present, the yellow/blue wire. Then reverse the leads, checking the wires again.
Once more, you should get a reading in one direction and none in the other.

Note that the reading obtained from the red rectifier wire will be lower then what is obtained from the other wires.

Any deviation from the "Reading", "No Reading" as above indicates a faulty rectifier. Note that a rectifier will not tolerate reverse polarity.
 

Vic.S

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 4, 2004
Messages
4,720
Re: 90hp 1988 not charging

But if you use a digital meter to carry out Joe Reeves' tests use it on the "diode test" range. Not all digital meters will work for diode testing on all the ohms ranges.

If you do not have a diode test range use the highest ohms range.

No problems with analogue meters


If you continue to run without it charging the battery be sure that after use you take the battery ashore and recharge it. leaving a battery partly discharged is a sure way of reducing its life span.
Also avoid discharging it below 50% of fully charged
 
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