atomic 4 and engine gauges

[mreiland]

Ok friends here it goes;

I have an 1976 Oday 27 with an Atomic 4 engine. I have noticed that when I'm motoring along, my water temp and amps temp engine gauges spike and then come down at the same time. The temps seems to exceed normal operating range, but I find it odd that two gauges spike always simultaneously.

Ideas on causes? Bad gauges? short in wiring? Electrical panel issue? or engine issue?

 

[Apex]

check ground wires. Even if they seem secure, it is worth removing, cleaning connections, and secure.

 

[Forrest15112]

Have you checked the thermostat? That would explain the temp, but the amp gauge seems unrelated. Maybe it's possible that the engine is running hot until the thermostat opens and the shunt is also getting hot which may show a current rise due to temp of shunt terminals. I would check the thermo, and clean and reseat the ammeter contacts.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Here's why:

The amp gauge in your cockpit panel is measuring the amps out of the alternator. When the amperage goes up, it means the regulator is telling the alternator to produce power (amps). That puts an extra load on your engine.

You should recognize that the alternator output has to go from the alternator all the way to your cockpit panel and then back to the batteries, through usually small wiring built in by the builder. This has not been a preferred system for the past 15 years at least.

The answer is to replace the ammeter in the cockpit panel with a voltmeter, and run the alternator output directly to your house bank.

If you'd like more details, let me know, we have lots of links.