voltage reading too high even at idle

[cfauvel]

1986 225hp Evinrude E225txcda

The regulator is not that old, I'd have to look at the receipts or the date code on the regulator. It is a CDi Electronics version.

I have two AGM batteries 34M (dual purpose) ...one is from 2015 the other is brand new.

Had them both on Battery Tender overnight and both read that they were fully charged....

Started the boat on ear muffs on battery 2 (the brand new one) and within a few seconds it was reading near 16v

Turned off motor and switched to ALL on the battery switch....started motor and within seconds started to read in the 16v.

Turned off motor and switched to battery 1 (the old one) and .started motor and within seconds started to read in the 16v +.

I've had AGMs for years and kept them on trickle charger, as CDI doesn't warrant using the AGM, but if you do, they recommend using dual purpose.

Thoughts? Is the regulator failing ?

 

[boobie]

Yes, it could be the regulator but is your volt meter accurate ?

 

[cfauvel]

I stupidly didn't think about testing with the a real voltmeter at the battery (brain fart), but my dash gauge is usually 1-2 volts lower than actual...there is a loss of at least 1v somewhere between the main cable under the dash and the gauge.

I usually read 12+ v with engine off and key to ON.

Yesterday whilst idling out of the channel it jumped to 16v+ and stayed there most of the day...towards the end of the day at idle it dropped to 12+ v....but shot back up to 16+ when above idle.

I'll test at the battery today (side of yard) and see what I get...don't suspect I'll like what I find..

 

[cfauvel]

Ok so tested on the side of the yard with multimeter at the battery.

Saw a few times reaching to 15+ v, and the gauge on the dash is reading the same values...

after a few seconds it settled down to 13.92 volts at each battery, the gauge reported just slightly less than 14v.

I tried Battery 1 by itself, battery 2 by itself then both batteries.
On battery 1 I saw the 15v spike briefly. but settled down to 14v+
on battery 2 it stayed around 13.92 v
on both batteries it stayed around 13.92 v...
For each test the gauge on the dash reported the same (didn't shoot up to the 16v+ like I saw yesterday)

 

[GA_Boater]

It might be time to clean connectors.including grounds. And battery 1 is worth a look at and load test.

 

[cfauvel]

From CDi in regards to MY particular Volt Reg

"DO NOT USE A MAINTAINENCE FREE, AGM OR DRY CELL BATTERY WITH THIS TYPE REGULATOR/RECTIFIER
AS THIS TYPE BATTERY MAY DAMAGE THE REGULATOR/RECTIFIER AND VOID THE WARRANTY!!!
NEVER DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AS THIS MAY BURN OUT THE REGULATOR/RECTIFIER.
If the boat is equipped with a battery switch, make sure that it is a make before break type."

So i'm in a quandary, battery 2 is brand new and relatively expensive at $180 with 4 year warranty.
Do I just keep running at 16+v and kill the batteries?

A new regulator is about $180 plus two new flooded marine dual purpose batteries are probably at least $100 and get less warranty
Do I buy new flooded batteries AND a new regulator?

UGH

 

[Bosunsmate]

Just hold on to your four year warranty receipt and keep doing what you are doing.
16 V is high but 15 wouldnt concern me.
My motor doesnt come with a regulator and ive seen it get as high as 17V. I just turn something electrical on then and it drops to 15.5V.
Ive had the battery three years and it hasnt given me any trouble, and its a second hand battery so who knows how old it is