DUMB Volt meter question

torombolo

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 15, 2012
Messages
151
Afternoon everyone, I have a very dumb newbie question here. I have a 2001 Monterey 262 with a dual battery set up. The boat is marina kept conetec to the shore power. My question is what should the volt meter on the helm read when themotor is on? I notice it is always fluctuating between 10 & 13 Volts. Is this the normal range, shoud it be higher?

As you can see I'm 500% knowledge depraved on the electrical dept. LOL

Thanks in advance for your help!!
 

Lyle29464

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
1,261
Re: DUMB Volt meter question

With the battery charger off and your key on you should read about 12 volts. when you start the boat it should jump into the 14 volt range. ( 1200 RPM or so) with the boat off and the shore power on that meter should read about 13.
 

torombolo

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 15, 2012
Messages
151
Re: DUMB Volt meter question

Checked this weekend and never got over 12.5 does that mean something is wrong?
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,454
Re: DUMB Volt meter question

That is too low. Just to make sure, use a handhel multimeter at the battery itself to make sure it isn't your gauge. If it also reads 12.5V, your alternator needs to be repaired.
 
Top