Volt meter reading high

[murphy1]

Hello, I have a 1987 DT200. For the first time yesturday while running at about 3500 rpms I noticed my volt meter was reading over 15 volts. I thought it was the guage, but my fish finder was reading 15.2 volts also. I've never seen a volt meter go over 14v in both cars and boats. Is my regulator gone? Can't this harm my batteries? Any ideas?

 

[nickjaxe]

Re: Volt meter reading high

Hi I have a 1991 yam 55hp a volt meter on that shows about 15.5volts, my engine is not fitted with a regulator maybe yours is the same.<br /><br />Nick in the UK.

 

[murphy1]

Re: Volt meter reading high

I'm just worried that over 15 volts is charging the batteries too fast and might damage them, especially if they get over charged? Am I worrying over nothing?

 

[nickjaxe]

Re: Volt meter reading high

I had the same thoughts myself, I was advised not to use a small battery, after about 1 hour of running the battery on my boat does gets a bit warm,but seems to be ok.<br /><br />Nick.

 

[sirlespat]

Re: Volt meter reading high

My volt readings climbed for about a month before my old battery failed. With the replacement battery voltage was less. How old is your battey?<br />regards

 

[murphy1]

Re: Volt meter reading high

I have two batteries, one being a 'cranking' battery that puts out 800 cca and is one season old. The other is a deep cycle, about 3 seasons old. Both of which i always keep topped off with a charger/maintainer/desulfater over the winter and a solar panel during boating season. While running, To drop the volts, I put the battery swith on 'Both' just as a precaution and it dropped back down to 13.5. I'm worried about frying the batteries. I didn't notice if they were getting hot because they are a pain to get to. Does anyone know if there is a regulater on these charging systems?