Charging system and Tacho

[deerhound]

Would I be right in connecting a digital meter to my battery whilst running engine to check if it indicates a charge (Engine in fresh water tank)my battery is new and in fully charged state. Also my boat came with Yanmar Tacho which isn't wired, how do I check it without wiring it in to boat, many thanks again for any help, JBD

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Charging system and Tacho

A voltmeter (digital or analog) can be used to measure the charging voltage of your engine. Connect the meter, start the engine, run it at about 1500 - 2000 rpm. Voltage should be in 13 -15V range. As for checking the tach, unless you have a signal generator and 12V power source, you can't check it. Otherwise, it only requires +12V, Gnd and a connection to the sense line from the engine. That can be rigged temporarily for checking purposes.

 

[deerhound]

Re: Charging system and Tacho

Thanks Upinsmoke for reply, can you advise which one is sense line? I have OMC control box where ignition switch is, any connection there? I ran engine in fresh water container enough to cover water inlets but only on tick over, put analog meter accross fully charged battery and couldn't see any difference, I have noted that failure to see a charge or (if I can rig up Tacho) failure of Tacho indicates knackered charging system, this engine is Evinrude 40hp BE40ELCR 1984, thanks again JBD