Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

[SBTOM]

After having a bunch of electrical issues, I think that I might have fried the the volatage regulator in my merc outboard. Its 1997 100 hp oil injected. I searched the parts fiche by model number and year, and it shows a 5 wire model ( 1 red wire).... The one that I just fried is a 6 wire model (2 red wires)... does anyone know why I would have a different one? How can I track down a replacement for the 6 wire regulator? Thanks- Tom

 

[sschefer]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

After having a bunch of electrical issues, I think that I might have fried the the volatage regulator in my merc outboard. Its 1997 100 hp oil injected. I searched the parts fiche by model number and year, and it shows a 5 wire model ( 1 red wire).... The one that I just fried is a 6 wire model (2 red wires)... does anyone know why I would have a different one? How can I track down a replacement for the 6 wire regulator? Thanks- Tom

Tom, on your engine do the two red wires connect to the same terminal on the engine? If so and unless you hear different you should be able to use the 5 wire. The red wire is 12v + by industry standards so if you have a second one it is the same. You may have to make up a connection to tie the new one to anything that the second one on your motor was connected to if they were not both on the same terminal.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

The 6 wire can replace the 5 wire. Both reds go to the battery. One of the 2 voltage regulators in a 40 amp dual regulator (v6) system would be the same part.

hope it helps
John

 

[SBTOM]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

Cool... Thanks! My boat did come with a 2 battery setup which was not stock so the PO must have installed it and maybe he switched the voltage regulator also... I recently put in a new marine starting battery... is there any reason that would cause the VR to burn out?

 

[j_martin]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

Merc regulators can decide to fry sitting in the driveway on the trailer.

Especially if it's one of the clear potted ones.

CDI replacement is supposed to be better.

I looked up the parts. It's the standard 20 amp regulator. The difference between 5 wire and 6 wire is the ground wire. Both have 2 red wires. The 6 wire one is better.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

Cool... Thanks! My boat did come with a 2 battery setup which was not stock so the PO must have installed it and maybe he switched the voltage regulator also... I recently put in a new marine starting battery... is there any reason that would cause the VR to burn out?

You can blow a VR if you accidently swap Positive and Negative terminals when replacing your battery.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

You can blow a VR if you accidently swap Positive and Negative terminals when replacing your battery.

Starter is a pm motor, so it would run backward and not engage if you put the battery in backward. If you just touched the wires wrong while you were thinking about it, vr is toast.

 

[SBTOM]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

Thanks guys! this forum is super helpfull.... one last question before I order the new VR though... Do I not need the black (ground cable)? Here are two links to the CDI one that I am thinking about getting:


http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=14087&BASE#

or
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/c...ineengine.com/parts/cdi_electronics/index.htm
Thanks- Tom

 

[sschefer]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

One is grounded in the case and one is grounded in the case and with a ground wire. I like the ones with the ground wire. It's easier to inspect than removing the VR and checking for corrosion at the block.

 

[SBTOM]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

Thanks- I ordered the five wire one because it was the only one that I could find listed in stock, and I'm trying to spend the majority of the long weekend out in the presence of fish. When the VR actually showed up last night, it ended up being a 6 wire Quicksilver... so I guess I lucked out on that one! Anyway, I'm going to be installing it tonight or tomorrow and my only question is whether the metal side gets bolted towards the block or the rubber/plastic side? Does it even matter?

 

[j_martin]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

Thanks- I ordered the five wire one because it was the only one that I could find listed in stock, and I'm trying to spend the majority of the long weekend out in the presence of fish. When the VR actually showed up last night, it ended up being a 6 wire Quicksilver... so I guess I lucked out on that one! Anyway, I'm going to be installing it tonight or tomorrow and my only question is whether the metal side gets bolted towards the block or the rubber/plastic side? Does it even matter?

Metal side down, for heat transfer.

hope it helps
John

 

[sschefer]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

Metal side up for coffee cup warmer... Just kidding... do it like John say's.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

Camp Coffee

 

[SBTOM]

Re: Voltage Regulator- please help me solve this mystery!

I feel like I'm going to need some coffee if I'm going to get this boat up and running by Saturday morning.... the surf is good AND the fish are biting and I still have a ton of fiberglass and electrical work Thanks for the help guys!