Have a relatively new Honda 4stroke 8HP. I connect the red to plus, black to neg, then connect to engine, start engine and batteries stay at 12v. I've had this boat 2 months by the way...so maybe it's never worked. Isn't it supposed to charge at 14v +/- ? I checked the fuse and it looks ok.
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Michael Bell
I’m not an electrician, but…
I don’t think you would see the voltage of the battery increase during a charge. I would suggest getting an inexpensive voltage meter (there are less that $10) and checking the output of the plug at the motor (disconnected from the battery of course).
I don’t think you would see the voltage of the battery increase during a charge. I would suggest getting an inexpensive voltage meter (there are less that $10) and checking the output of the plug at the motor (disconnected from the battery of course).
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Mikey
Yea but...
If we take what we know from our cars, the indicated voltage while charging should be over 14v. Chemically, it's 13.7volts I think. I have TWO voltage meters built in, one near the batteries, and one in the cockpit, as it has a solar panel and some kind of battery 'system'... Also, I'm not sure that the voltage will be 14+ volts if the circuit is disconnected. I think it, the alternator, can determine if there is a load (ie current or amps) and then charge. I don't think it's a constant-charge thing...so an open circuit voltage reading may be 0 anyways. Of course the meter draws some current but that may not even start it charging.
If we take what we know from our cars, the indicated voltage while charging should be over 14v. Chemically, it's 13.7volts I think. I have TWO voltage meters built in, one near the batteries, and one in the cockpit, as it has a solar panel and some kind of battery 'system'... Also, I'm not sure that the voltage will be 14+ volts if the circuit is disconnected. I think it, the alternator, can determine if there is a load (ie current or amps) and then charge. I don't think it's a constant-charge thing...so an open circuit voltage reading may be 0 anyways. Of course the meter draws some current but that may not even start it charging.
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Joe R.
Honda 8
I also have a Honda 8hp on my boat (H240). It works fine up to a point. As I added equipment that used electricity, the ability of the honda to top off the battery eventually failed and I added a battery charger. There was also an incident after major heeling that caused the wiring to separate within the plastic crimp so that I could not see the actual break in the connection. The battery eventually went dead. Also the ability to get a full charge is relevent upon how long you run the motor and how much drain you had on the battery when the motor was off.
I also have a Honda 8hp on my boat (H240). It works fine up to a point. As I added equipment that used electricity, the ability of the honda to top off the battery eventually failed and I added a battery charger. There was also an incident after major heeling that caused the wiring to separate within the plastic crimp so that I could not see the actual break in the connection. The battery eventually went dead. Also the ability to get a full charge is relevent upon how long you run the motor and how much drain you had on the battery when the motor was off.
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biscuit - the type sailors eat.
tall ships
what is all this about engines on a sailing site - engines on sail boats have only been used for the last few years - 'ow did the pharoahs get about - sail and sometimes oars and rolacks the latter good exercise for us unnaturally desk riven men of the sea. biscuit. p.s. electricity was only invented in the late 1800's.
what is all this about engines on a sailing site - engines on sail boats have only been used for the last few years - 'ow did the pharoahs get about - sail and sometimes oars and rolacks the latter good exercise for us unnaturally desk riven men of the sea. biscuit. p.s. electricity was only invented in the late 1800's.
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Tim
you should see 13.7+ volts...
...or it will never charge your batteries. 1. What voltage is at the battery terminal with the motor off? motor on? It should be higher on. A big battery and a small alternator will make the voltage change small. 2. What's the voltage at the alternator with the motor off? (Should be same as the battery or the wires are broken.)Motor on? (It should be 14V or the alternator is dead.) 3. With the motor running, is the voltage the same at the battery and at the alternator? If not, the wire is either broken or too small. (The wire should be 8 gauge or larger.)
...or it will never charge your batteries. 1. What voltage is at the battery terminal with the motor off? motor on? It should be higher on. A big battery and a small alternator will make the voltage change small. 2. What's the voltage at the alternator with the motor off? (Should be same as the battery or the wires are broken.)Motor on? (It should be 14V or the alternator is dead.) 3. With the motor running, is the voltage the same at the battery and at the alternator? If not, the wire is either broken or too small. (The wire should be 8 gauge or larger.)
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Mark N
Engine at Idle
Don't know about the Honda 8, but my older Honda 7.5 has a "fly wheel" charger which really doesn't do much charging when at idle. I metered it at 8-9v at idle but gets to approx 14v at half throttle. I added a small solar cell and blocking dioode for about $50 and the boat has been electrically self sufficient since.
Don't know about the Honda 8, but my older Honda 7.5 has a "fly wheel" charger which really doesn't do much charging when at idle. I metered it at 8-9v at idle but gets to approx 14v at half throttle. I added a small solar cell and blocking dioode for about $50 and the boat has been electrically self sufficient since.
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Ron
honda 8 alternator
I have a 79 honda 10hp on my 87H23 I can advise you to get an inexpensive voltmeter and test the plug with the engine runnining and then increase the RPM slowly till you see 13.7 volt Then plug in your cable and test the ends that would go to your battery. YOur alt may be working but there may be a break in the cable that goes to the battery. I got a 15 watt solar pannel I suspend between the cockpit seats everyday I'm not there the battery is charging its always topped off to full charge when I leave the dock. In fact a 15 watt pannel can run a depth sounder and VHF radio without using any juice from the battery. approx 150.00 west marine
I have a 79 honda 10hp on my 87H23 I can advise you to get an inexpensive voltmeter and test the plug with the engine runnining and then increase the RPM slowly till you see 13.7 volt Then plug in your cable and test the ends that would go to your battery. YOur alt may be working but there may be a break in the cable that goes to the battery. I got a 15 watt solar pannel I suspend between the cockpit seats everyday I'm not there the battery is charging its always topped off to full charge when I leave the dock. In fact a 15 watt pannel can run a depth sounder and VHF radio without using any juice from the battery. approx 150.00 west marine
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Dan Ebert
Biscuit is Wrong
The first recorded observation of electric was 600 B.C. in Greece. The first battery was in 1800 and the modern dry cell was invented in 1866. Lest, we not forget good old Ben Franklin. Sounds like Biscuit is still sailing a square-rigger. Give me the modern sloop and all the goodies. p.s. long live the engine to get me out of the dock. I hate manual labor.
The first recorded observation of electric was 600 B.C. in Greece. The first battery was in 1800 and the modern dry cell was invented in 1866. Lest, we not forget good old Ben Franklin. Sounds like Biscuit is still sailing a square-rigger. Give me the modern sloop and all the goodies. p.s. long live the engine to get me out of the dock. I hate manual labor.
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Mikey
Alt dead ?
The cable that goes from the engine/alt to the batteries is ok. The engine was run at mid-speed but saw no voltage increase. Is it a valid to test the voltage with no connection to the batteries, only to the voltmeter ? I have a solar panel too, don't know what size as it came with the boat. I don't really have battery problems (solar panels) but would like the alternator to work !
The cable that goes from the engine/alt to the batteries is ok. The engine was run at mid-speed but saw no voltage increase. Is it a valid to test the voltage with no connection to the batteries, only to the voltmeter ? I have a solar panel too, don't know what size as it came with the boat. I don't really have battery problems (solar panels) but would like the alternator to work !
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Stephen Ostrander
biscuit half-baked
Static electricity, or lightning as we call it, has been around since the beginning of time. Man did not invent electricity, only harnessed it.
Static electricity, or lightning as we call it, has been around since the beginning of time. Man did not invent electricity, only harnessed it.
Give solar panels a try
I have not-so-fond memories of having to run the inboard diesel engine on a charterboat three or four times a day to charge the batteries and cool the holding plate in the fridge. It was OK while motoring, but it was no fun sucking up the exhaust fumes swirling around in the cockpit each night before going to bed. I recently had the chance to buy a motor with an alternator for my H23 and passed, because of the afore-mentioned memories as well as the additional weight and cost. With the money I saved, I bought a 10W solar panel, which I secure on the deck behind the mast when sailing. If the bimini is up, I put the panel on top. When I am going to be away from the boat for any length of time, I slide the panel into a sling I made under the main sliding plexiglass hatch i.e. inside the boat. Even with the tinted hatch, I still get 17+ volts (open circuit) which is more than enough to keep the battery topped up. My panel stays clean (sorry, birds) and dry, it is secure from theives, and it blocks a lot of sunlight (keeps the interior cooler and preserves the upholstery). The idea of mounting it in the cockpit down between the seats is good too (keeps it away from prying eyes). Peter Suah "Raven"
I have not-so-fond memories of having to run the inboard diesel engine on a charterboat three or four times a day to charge the batteries and cool the holding plate in the fridge. It was OK while motoring, but it was no fun sucking up the exhaust fumes swirling around in the cockpit each night before going to bed. I recently had the chance to buy a motor with an alternator for my H23 and passed, because of the afore-mentioned memories as well as the additional weight and cost. With the money I saved, I bought a 10W solar panel, which I secure on the deck behind the mast when sailing. If the bimini is up, I put the panel on top. When I am going to be away from the boat for any length of time, I slide the panel into a sling I made under the main sliding plexiglass hatch i.e. inside the boat. Even with the tinted hatch, I still get 17+ volts (open circuit) which is more than enough to keep the battery topped up. My panel stays clean (sorry, birds) and dry, it is secure from theives, and it blocks a lot of sunlight (keeps the interior cooler and preserves the upholstery). The idea of mounting it in the cockpit down between the seats is good too (keeps it away from prying eyes). Peter Suah "Raven"
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Gary Bridi
question re: solar panel
I have a 1992 H23 wing keel. I used to tote my battery back and forth to home to charge..a real inconvenience. I just bought a 15 amp charger with a controller from Radio Shack (made by ICP Technology) The panel is about 36"x13", weighs about 8lbs and is a rigid panel. Since the boat is now shrink wrapped for the winter, I cant access it. I was going rig a platform and hang it parallel to the water from the split backstay, but an concerned that the 8lb weight will put too much stress on the back stay during the course of a 7 month sailing season. Any toughts as to where I can mount it or about the stress or lack thereof on the backstay. Thanks gary
I have a 1992 H23 wing keel. I used to tote my battery back and forth to home to charge..a real inconvenience. I just bought a 15 amp charger with a controller from Radio Shack (made by ICP Technology) The panel is about 36"x13", weighs about 8lbs and is a rigid panel. Since the boat is now shrink wrapped for the winter, I cant access it. I was going rig a platform and hang it parallel to the water from the split backstay, but an concerned that the 8lb weight will put too much stress on the back stay during the course of a 7 month sailing season. Any toughts as to where I can mount it or about the stress or lack thereof on the backstay. Thanks gary
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Mark N
Meter Will Work With No Load
Mike, Your meter will work without the alternator cable being attacted to the battery (load). If you do not see voltage at the connector, follow the wire back to the motor and check for in line fuses. If none, try to check for voltage at the alternator. If not luck, take motor and your checkbook to a dealer.
Mike, Your meter will work without the alternator cable being attacted to the battery (load). If you do not see voltage at the connector, follow the wire back to the motor and check for in line fuses. If none, try to check for voltage at the alternator. If not luck, take motor and your checkbook to a dealer.
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Peter
Response to Gary
Just a gut feeling, but I don't think that 8 lb is going to put a lot of strain on your backstay. I have a couple of additional comments though. If you are going to connect the panel while the boat is in storage (I guess that means you left the battery on board), I suggest that you incline the panel so that it faces south rather than laying horizontal. Not only will you catch more sunlight that way, but any dust, dirt, bird droppings or other crap that falls on the panel is less likely to accumulate and should wash off when it rains or snows. The idea is to keep the panel as clean as possible for as long as possible to maximize the amount of light available for conversion to electricity. I prefer flexible solar panels myself, even though they are not as efficient as the rigid ones. They are much easier to mount on the boat (see my post) and they can tolerate a lot of abuse. Your best bet may be to fix the panel to the top of your main hatch (the fiberglass portion, not the plexiglass), or rig some sort of frame or bracket to the stern on the starboard side (away from the outboard and the sweep of the tiller), or you could try an arch like the larger Hunters?? Just tossing out ideas, don't know how easy it would be to fabricate. Good luck! Peter
Just a gut feeling, but I don't think that 8 lb is going to put a lot of strain on your backstay. I have a couple of additional comments though. If you are going to connect the panel while the boat is in storage (I guess that means you left the battery on board), I suggest that you incline the panel so that it faces south rather than laying horizontal. Not only will you catch more sunlight that way, but any dust, dirt, bird droppings or other crap that falls on the panel is less likely to accumulate and should wash off when it rains or snows. The idea is to keep the panel as clean as possible for as long as possible to maximize the amount of light available for conversion to electricity. I prefer flexible solar panels myself, even though they are not as efficient as the rigid ones. They are much easier to mount on the boat (see my post) and they can tolerate a lot of abuse. Your best bet may be to fix the panel to the top of your main hatch (the fiberglass portion, not the plexiglass), or rig some sort of frame or bracket to the stern on the starboard side (away from the outboard and the sweep of the tiller), or you could try an arch like the larger Hunters?? Just tossing out ideas, don't know how easy it would be to fabricate. Good luck! Peter
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Mikey
Where is alt on Honda 8/4str ?
Where is the alt on this engine ? I've had the cover off and checked the fuse but it was dark... Did notice a timing-belt thing there, is one end on the alt ?
Where is the alt on this engine ? I've had the cover off and checked the fuse but it was dark... Did notice a timing-belt thing there, is one end on the alt ?
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Gary Bridi
Peter Reply
Thanks for your comments. The battery is actually in the basement on a trickle charge (the mast is there too!). I had not considered the fiberglass hatch cover as I am afraid I will step on it. The Starboard transom mount is a good idea. If I were sure that the backstay would not be compromised, I would rig a platform or just clamp wire rigging to suspend it. thanks again Gary
Thanks for your comments. The battery is actually in the basement on a trickle charge (the mast is there too!). I had not considered the fiberglass hatch cover as I am afraid I will step on it. The Starboard transom mount is a good idea. If I were sure that the backstay would not be compromised, I would rig a platform or just clamp wire rigging to suspend it. thanks again Gary
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Henry Scurlock
check the regulator
My Honda 5 (4str) had a separate regulator. The regulator should have wires going to the output connector and to the alternator. Measure voltage at both sides of regulator with the output cable disconnected. This will verify if the alternator is functioning as well as condition of regulator. Expect to spend about $150 for new regulator installed.
My Honda 5 (4str) had a separate regulator. The regulator should have wires going to the output connector and to the alternator. Measure voltage at both sides of regulator with the output cable disconnected. This will verify if the alternator is functioning as well as condition of regulator. Expect to spend about $150 for new regulator installed.
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Joe R
Gary Bridi
Gary it sounds like you are using a non-marine type charger. The one I bought from west marine is much smaller than the one you describe. It has a built in regulator so you can't overcharge it. They even say its ok to leave hooked up when you leave the boat. It's inital high rate of charge drops to a trickle as the battery tops off. I mounted the charger next to the battery using some 3M stronger than velcro strips which allow simple removal & re-attach. It has stayed in place during some wild rock & roll in rough weather. I use a series of out door extension cords to connect to dock power. both the battery & charger are in the garage for the winter. I hook it up once a month to top it off.
Gary it sounds like you are using a non-marine type charger. The one I bought from west marine is much smaller than the one you describe. It has a built in regulator so you can't overcharge it. They even say its ok to leave hooked up when you leave the boat. It's inital high rate of charge drops to a trickle as the battery tops off. I mounted the charger next to the battery using some 3M stronger than velcro strips which allow simple removal & re-attach. It has stayed in place during some wild rock & roll in rough weather. I use a series of out door extension cords to connect to dock power. both the battery & charger are in the garage for the winter. I hook it up once a month to top it off.
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