Charging Issue? Altenator Problems?

[tlynch99]

I took my new to me four winns liberator 211 out for the first time the other day and when I started the boat I believe the volt meter was reading 13V, then after driving around for 30 minutes it was reading 10.5V-11.5V. The boat has two brand new batteries, and I haven't had a chance to go through the process in the service manual for checking the alternator.

I assume that like a car it should be reading 13-14V while running? Is that correct? Maybe the gauge is reading low, or maybe there is a charging issue.

 

[Searay87]

Re: Charging Issue? Altenator Problems?

Get yourself a reliable digital multi-meter and measure the voltage across your batteries with the RPMs @ around 1200-1500. If your voltage is not reading between 13.5-14.5 volts then you have a charging problem.

I had a similar problem this summer and ended up replacing the alternator.

 

[Aloysius]

Re: Charging Issue? Altenator Problems?

Tap the gauge..if it doesn't move, I'll bet you've got a charging problem.

 

[tlynch99]

Re: Charging Issue? Altenator Problems?

Sounds good, I will try the multi-meter method out later tonight.

I think I did try tapping the gauge and the needle did move a bit, but it didn't move back to 13.5-14V.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Charging Issue? Altenator Problems?

Sounds like a bad alternator, but could also be a bad connection to the alternator. I just replaced the alternator on my boat. Same symptoms as yours. When I was taking the old alternator off, the ground connection to the alternator was almost broken off from flexing too much, or being flexed by someone working on the engine. I think that was the problem. I went ahead and replaced the old alternator because I wanted a one-wire unit, but I kept the old one for a spare. By the way, I was able to get a new marine Delco alternator from Amazon store for $68. I found out later that Delco has gotten out of the marine business, so I assume the store got a bunch at a very low price. But it sure beat $150-200 from other suppliers.

 

[tlynch99]

Re: Charging Issue? Altenator Problems?

I assume that this is the alternator that you bought?

http://www.amazon.com/Delco-Marine-...r_1_1?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285083472&sr=8-1

Why did you want a one wire? What is the difference? Could I replace mine with a 1 wire as well? That seems like a great deal.

 

[tlynch99]

Re: Charging Issue? Altenator Problems?

So I put a digital volt meter across the positive and negitive sides of a battery while the engine was running around 1200RPM. The volt meter read 12.65 volts. So I assume the alternator is not charging?

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Charging Issue? Altenator Problems?

Doesn't sound like it. Take the alternator off and take it to one of your local auto parts stores and have it tested. That will tell you whats going on. Kinda hard for the parts counter kids to screw that one up...