I have two different meters to measure the level of power in the charge going into batteries, and both caught my attention the last time I was on the boat. With the engine running I looked down at the alternator level indicator and it appeared to be pegged to the far right, beyond the green area and into the yellow. (No numbers that I can recall) So I went below where I have a separate meter that measures the charge on the engine and house batteries separately, and with the engine running BOTH were pegged to the right (above 16). Once the engine was off both read 14.2 or so, which is consistent with past readings for fully charged. Does that level charge with the engine on seem right? I am a worrier, and know that an overcharge can fry my (new) batteries. I have had some work done recently on the charger system but nothing at the yard indicated a problem, and I had no problem motoring since. Should I relax, or go find an electrician? Sanders s/v Good News
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Not an expert..but sounds like a regulator problem
I would wait for further response from the experts in this forum...but if your voltage is correct, then it is a regulator problem and if you keep it up you will fry your batteries.
I would wait for further response from the experts in this forum...but if your voltage is correct, then it is a regulator problem and if you keep it up you will fry your batteries.
your overcharging !
Something is wrong ! The batteries should read about 12.6 with out the alternator charging an 13.2 to 14.2 with the aternator charging. 16 and 14.2 are to high and you will overcharge the battery. As others have mentioned it is most likely he regulator that is not workng correctly.
Something is wrong ! The batteries should read about 12.6 with out the alternator charging an 13.2 to 14.2 with the aternator charging. 16 and 14.2 are to high and you will overcharge the battery. As others have mentioned it is most likely he regulator that is not workng correctly.
Check Your Voltmeter
14.2 volts is high for a battery not being charged. Normally the battery will settle to about 12.6 a few minutes after charging. So maybe your voltmeter is off about 1.6 volts. If that were correct then the 16 volt reading would be about 14.4 which is not out of reason. If you have an accurate digital meter, check the battery voltages against the boat meter. On my boat the analog meters are not ever accurate compared to the digital meter on my Link system. If the meter is correct, everyone is correct, check your regulator. Bill
14.2 volts is high for a battery not being charged. Normally the battery will settle to about 12.6 a few minutes after charging. So maybe your voltmeter is off about 1.6 volts. If that were correct then the 16 volt reading would be about 14.4 which is not out of reason. If you have an accurate digital meter, check the battery voltages against the boat meter. On my boat the analog meters are not ever accurate compared to the digital meter on my Link system. If the meter is correct, everyone is correct, check your regulator. Bill
Regulator shot of field wire not connected
one of these is causing a problem which, if not fixed immediately, will cook the batteries. Given someone apparently recently worked on the system, the latter is my guess - get someone else to check it.
one of these is causing a problem which, if not fixed immediately, will cook the batteries. Given someone apparently recently worked on the system, the latter is my guess - get someone else to check it.
the previous respones are correct....
You are overcharging the batteries. It is most likely the voltage regulator. The output from the alternator should read 13 to 14.5 volts depending on the battery condition. This would be measured with a accurate digital volt meter at the terminals of the batteries. A standing fully charged battery should read about 12.6 volts. If you have an adjustable voltage regulator, try turning it down (this is usually counterclockwise) to read about 14.2 volts and make sure that the battery sensing wire from the regulator is connected correctly. Good luck.
You are overcharging the batteries. It is most likely the voltage regulator. The output from the alternator should read 13 to 14.5 volts depending on the battery condition. This would be measured with a accurate digital volt meter at the terminals of the batteries. A standing fully charged battery should read about 12.6 volts. If you have an adjustable voltage regulator, try turning it down (this is usually counterclockwise) to read about 14.2 volts and make sure that the battery sensing wire from the regulator is connected correctly. Good luck.
Check the battery terminals
A loose battery terminal or a corroded one will make the regulator think that the battery is discharged and will full field the alternator. Always check the easy stuff first. I have seen a lot of charging and starting problems and 99.44% of them are corrosion on the terminals.
A loose battery terminal or a corroded one will make the regulator think that the battery is discharged and will full field the alternator. Always check the easy stuff first. I have seen a lot of charging and starting problems and 99.44% of them are corrosion on the terminals.
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