Grand Larsony
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2008
- Messages
- 221
I think I know where this is going, but since the forum always seems to have great input I thought I'd post the situation before contacting my mechanic. Any input is greatly appreciated.
My 1989 Sea Ray 300 has twin 260 hp Mercruisers and Alpha1 out drives. Nothing special or aftermarket. Getting close to 800 hours and generally in excellent condition mechanically. I have two batteries on the starboard engine, but run with the switch set to battery 1.
I first noticed that my starboard engine was losing voltage during operation last week. The new depth finder showed only 10v (and declining) while running up on plane, and after a few sessions of alternately swimming and floating around and moving the boat (with fridge and stereo on), I was not able to start the motor without using the emergency start (battery paralleling) switch. It always did start fine, and we limped home at hull speed (during which time the voltage returned to a respectable 13.8 volts). Stuff was acting wonky until we had time to charge things back up -- trim tabs on one side would not actuate, that sorta stuff.
Added some water to the battery as 2 of the 6 cells were only about 2/3 full. All contacts good. Batteries are < 2 years old and generally have not needed much water.
Then, yesterday, as I was running at hull speed (8mph) everything was fine for a while. Steady at 14.0 or so. Had a nice cruise. Took her up on plane and noticed the reading jumped to 18v (holy cow!). Backed down again and all was fine, voltage returned to ~14.0.
So what do I tell my mechanic? Voltage regulator right? Something else going on here?
Anything I can (or should) check for potential damage due to high current?
My 1989 Sea Ray 300 has twin 260 hp Mercruisers and Alpha1 out drives. Nothing special or aftermarket. Getting close to 800 hours and generally in excellent condition mechanically. I have two batteries on the starboard engine, but run with the switch set to battery 1.
I first noticed that my starboard engine was losing voltage during operation last week. The new depth finder showed only 10v (and declining) while running up on plane, and after a few sessions of alternately swimming and floating around and moving the boat (with fridge and stereo on), I was not able to start the motor without using the emergency start (battery paralleling) switch. It always did start fine, and we limped home at hull speed (during which time the voltage returned to a respectable 13.8 volts). Stuff was acting wonky until we had time to charge things back up -- trim tabs on one side would not actuate, that sorta stuff.
Added some water to the battery as 2 of the 6 cells were only about 2/3 full. All contacts good. Batteries are < 2 years old and generally have not needed much water.
Then, yesterday, as I was running at hull speed (8mph) everything was fine for a while. Steady at 14.0 or so. Had a nice cruise. Took her up on plane and noticed the reading jumped to 18v (holy cow!). Backed down again and all was fine, voltage returned to ~14.0.
So what do I tell my mechanic? Voltage regulator right? Something else going on here?
Anything I can (or should) check for potential damage due to high current?