battery charge question

[roger fernandez]

I would like to know if the rectifier of my 1995 150 Johnson is charging the battery while the motor is running.<br /><br />Would like to know the following:<br /><br />1. What device or equipment do I need for that kind of testing?<br /><br />2. How do I go about preforming the test and what kind of reading should I be getting on the meter.<br /><br />As I said, I just want to know if while I am ridding the boat on the water my battery is being charged by the rectifier and like that I can know that the rectifier is working too.<br /><br />Please any help will be very appreciated.

 

[dolluper]

Re: battery charge question

1 . A TACH or volt meter hooked to battery<br />2 .volt meter at battery pos/red of meter black/neg of meter set at 20 volt scale should read higher than battery reading when battery is not hooked up / reading higher rectifier is working

 

[roger fernandez]

Re: battery charge question

I appreciate you getting back to me and I apologize but I am not sure I understand your intructions 100%, can you explain it a little bit more in details.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: battery charge question

Technically, the rectifier doesn't charge the battery -- the alternator does that. The rectifier however converts the AC voltage from the alternator to DC and its failure would prevent the battery from charging. The regulator maintains output of the charging system to safe levels (13 - 15 volts give or take a lttle). If your boat doesn't have a voltmeter, I'd suggest you install one. You will always know what the charging system is or is not doing. They are inexpensive and relatively simple to install. Without one, you can use a standard volt/ohm/milliamp meter (VOM for short) for testing but you can check your battery at home and a failure can occur half hour away from the ramp. You won't know it until you realize you have a dead battery.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: battery charge question

A simple VOM can measure volts, milliamps, and ohms (resistance) and can be purchased at Radio Shack, home improvement centers (electrical dept), or auto stores. It has two test leads (red or +, and black or -). Set the meter switch to a scale that can read 15 volts or so (typically the 15 volt scale). If this is a digital - auto ranging meter it will select the proper range automatically. With the engine off, place the positive lead on the battery + terminal and the minus lead on the battery negative terminal. The meter will read battery voltage (12.6 volts). If it reads less than that, the battery is either bad or discharged. Then start the engine. At about 2500 RPM the voltage should be 13.4 to about 14.6 (give or take a little). If it's much higher (17 - 18 volts) the regulator is probably not working. If the voltage is the same as your first reading, the charging system is not working.

 

[roger fernandez]

Re: battery charge question

Upinsmoke, thanks alot for your help.<br /><br />God bless.