Charge light question

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Rick

Rick

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Oct 5, 2004
1,098
Hunter 420 Passage San Diego
"Obi Fred" and fellow sailors. I have noticed recently (night cruising) that my charge "dummy" light is staying on. It does get dimmer with RPM. Here is what I have checked. Voltage output at indicator on electrical panel 13 volts when motoring (charging) of course. House bank is staying charged (13+ after motoring on Trace digital meter). I do notice the load when I put perko to all or two (house bank) by the RPM drop on motor. I do have a 100 amp "high output" alternator. I HAVENOT checked the obvious... belt tension but I give them a shake before every shove off the dock. To my knowledge I havent gone to the off position while motoring (my switches are "make before break" perkos). It appears to be working abiet in a non normal fashion. Any thoughts? My system was professionally installed. Also included latest project. A whisker pole. Installed it in about four hours. She did 7.6 on a broad reach with 16 knots apparent. Pretty cool. Cheers Rick s/v Whiskey Chaser (336)
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
Charge light connections

Check all the wiring to and from the charge light. The light glowing means that the batteries are pushing more voltage to the light than the alternator is. If there is a bad connection somewhere (alternator side is my bet) then the sensed voltage is not the actual voltage. BTW 13 volts is a kinda low charging voltage unless your batteries are fully charged and you have a good regulator. Good luck
 
L

Landsend

charging voltage shoud be 14+ volts....

You should be getting about 14.5 volts at the battery terminals at least when you first start up. Sounds like a alternator or voltage regulator problem. After you've checked the obvious try setting the regulator higher.
 
Rick

Rick

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Oct 5, 2004
1,098
Hunter 420 Passage San Diego
charging light

Landsend Thanks, actually its 14.56 when it is charging off the alternator. Guess 13+ wasnt so clear. So if it is charging, why is the dummy light activating. Could it be the condition of the batteries when first starting as Bill described? My inverter is a Trace that doubles when shore power connected. Usuall battery condition when arriving is around 13.5 Perhaps it is just a loose wire. Will have to check that. thanks Rick
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
Check the wiring for a bad/loose connection

If you are not having charging problems the circuit that is giving you trouble is the obvious first place to look. I'd make sure it was up to snuff before I went checking the bow anchor roller for its contribution to the problem. It is real easy to get side tracked when doing electrical stuff. Check the charge light circuit first and get back to us. We'll walk you through but we need more data.
 
Rick

Rick

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Oct 5, 2004
1,098
Hunter 420 Passage San Diego
Charge light

Thanks Bill All I have is memory right now. Live in Phoenix.. boats in San D. I will fly over monday and take some more notes. And go through the steps. Hope you can stand by till then. Cheers Rick
 
C

Chris

Stray AC voltage?

AC voltage escaping from a bad rectifier can cause the charge light to glow as well. A simple check is to put a voltmeter on when the system is running and switch the meter to 'volts AC', low range. There shouldn't be any.
 
Fred Ficarra

Fred Ficarra

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Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
Rick, 'obi' Fred here.

Wish I could help you but I never wired up our charge light after the Balmar installation. The stock Hitachi alternator had electronics inside of it to talk to the charge light. Perhaps the external regulator will talk to it but I just don't have the need. Bill and the other guys will take good care of you.
 
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