Overcharging...

[kmaglothin]

Replaced rectifier on a Johnson 150...old one was bad. Voltmeter shows 14 volts until increasing RPM to about 3k then voltmeter pegs...Sonar indicates the same voltage that the voltmeter is reading. On one of the parts sites that sell the rectifier there was a statement in bold that said that WalMart batteries will cause overcharging. That is what I am running. Has anyone heard that the make of battery can cause this?<br /><br />This is the actual wording from the site...<br /><br />"OMC REGULATOR 35AMP CROSSFLOW. Warning!! Walmart and AutoZone marine batteries are incompatible with this regulator. The Duralast and Everstart batteries are overcharging and even a new regulator will fail. New circuits are being experimented with."

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Overcharging...

Ranger375,<br /><br />Where did you find that site? There is nothing from Johnson or Evinrude about Walmart batteries and 35 amp regulated systems.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Overcharging...

Well, I have run Walmart Batteries for a long time(Both starting and deep cycle) and never had that problem and I really think that it's a crock..

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Overcharging...

Regulator is probably the culprit... I also ordered as new rectifier of a site(Not sure which one) and it was junk when I got it. Same problem as yours' but not as extreme. I was running about 18 Volts and when I got the new rectifier, it ran nothing more than it did when the motor was not running. Sent it back and the next new on worked.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Overcharging...

Ranger375,<br /><br />Did you replace a rectifier or a regulator on your 150? different years had different systems. What is your model number so we all know what motor to which you are referring?

 

[kmaglothin]

Re: Overcharging...

Here is the site...<br /><br /> http://www.outboardparts.com/omc/omc/omcrect.htm <br /><br />It is a 87 GT150 Model J150GTLCUR

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Overcharging...

That's where I got mine...

 

[kmaglothin]

Re: Overcharging...

This is not the site where I got mine...it is the site I found when I was trying to figure out what was happening. I tell ya...if it is the battery...then the cart is driving the horse...I was thinking though...it could be a sensing issue...if the rectifier is sensing low voltage in error...then the rectifier sends more power when the battery is already at 12 volts. The problem will be diagnosing it...cause I am pretty sure the 16 volt output is correct...question is why.

 

[kmaglothin]

Re: Overcharging...

Another symptom...when it is in the overcharging state...hitting the trim causes the volts to drop to 14 and the tach to zero...let off trim all goes back to normal. However, it doesn't do this all the time. I still think there is something wrong with the retifier. It just doesn't make sense that it doesn't do any of this when the new diehard battery is in. The walmart batterie(s)...I have two of them...one is a loaner from the local walmart to test it..seems to cause these symptoms.

 

[kmaglothin]

Re: Overcharging...

Okay this is what I found out...talked to an engineer at Gould today...he said that it wouldn't be the battery. The only thing that they have seen is some excessive heat build up in maintenance free batteries. However, it would take a lot to do much damage. So...I tested the rectifier again today and it is fine...what other issues could there be...stator..if so is there a quick test?