charging sytem

[dtro]

Is there any other way to check my charging system on my 94 70hp rude other than checking at the battery? The multimeter I have is analog and tough to read being that the units jump from 10 to 50. (ya think they could've thrown in a 20 or 30) I can't tell if there is any increase after starting. Last year I reversed the cables on hookup for about 2 minutes (I couldn't figure out why the motor tilted down when I wanted it to go up) Not sure if I did any damage, but I don't want to find out the hard way. I haven't had any problems yet, but the engine pops off at the turn of the key, so I probably aint using much juice.

 

[rsl31652]

Re: charging sytem

Install an ampmeter in line between regulator or alternator output wire and solenoid (relay where line originally hoked up to. Start engine, measure amps. Get specs from local shop as to output rate/rpms. Regulators are a bit more tricky to interpret if the battery is fully charged.

 

[rsl31652]

Re: charging sytem

sorry, install ampmeter between rgulator wire, and solenoid terminal or... RECTIFIER output lead and solenoid ( if you have an alternator/ rectifier type system).

 

[petryshyn]

Re: charging sytem

dtro <br />You should be able to see the voltage go from 12.x to 14 on the 50 volt scale. Does your meter have a X2 scale slide switch. If it does, use the 10 volt scale and it should read 7 volts when you have 14....

 

[Boatist]

Re: charging sytem

dtro<br />Lots of ways but I will give two simple ways.<br />1 At night turn on your running and start engine if it charging you should be able to see light brighten as motor speeds up.<br />2 This one requires a jumper wire and a 9 volt battery. Take the jumper wire and attach one end to starting battery neg post, attached the other end to the 9 volt battery Neg terminal. Now with your meter on the 10 volt scale put the black lead on the 9 volt battery's positive terminal and the red lead on your starting battery's Plus post. Your meter should read around 3 volts. When you start your motor should increase to around 5 volts. If you want to know your battery exact voltage, you have to use your meter to messure voltage of 9 volt battery then add your reading. Example 9 volt reads 9.4 volts and from positive of 9 volt to pos of 12 volts reads 3.2 volts then you battery is 12.6 volts. When you start up it is not going to jump right to 14.8 volts but instead charge up to 14.8 volts. Car usually will charge real fast as they have 100 amp alternators, but you boat is probably more like a 15 amp. Hope I have made it clear. I affraid you blew the regulator if you have one or your rectifer diodes if you hooked cables backward. Good luck and please let us know what you find.

 

[tesmel]

Re: charging sytem

You should see an increase in voltage if charging system is working, even with a cheap analog.<br />My bet is you blew the Bridge rectifier, but why go through all that complicated process with 9v battery etc. when you can pickup a cheap digital voltmeter for about 20 bucks, you can use it for many more applications on the boat and around the house.<br />Just my 2cents.<br />Terry

 

[dtro]

Re: charging sytem

Ok, I can't see any increase at idle. Shoould I try higher rpm? What's next. Rectifier?\<br />Thanks again.

 

[Boatist]

Re: charging sytem

dtro<br />Did you try it on the ten volt Scale??<br />Fast idle should be prlenty on 10 volt scale. I am sorry but do not know your motor so can not tell where to find rectifer but if you know where it is and your meter has an ohms setting you can check diodes with meter. You normaly have to disconnect the leads first or they will all look shorted. You should get a near short messured one way and when reverse leads and open. Problem is wrong polarity can take out both Rectifer and Regulator. Hopefully one blew first and saved the other. Stator normaly will be ok. Good luck.