50 hp force charging system?

[kag22-250]

1986 50 hp force engine. runs great, but last year i had battery problems. i don't know if the engine was maintaining the battery or if the battery was bad. i replaced the battery to finish out the season. is there any way that i can check the charging system at home. should the engine be able to maintain a battery at trolling speed?<br />i find it hard to beleive that my marine radio and graph would drain it that quick.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 50 hp force charging system?

That motor only puts out a half an amp of juice at 1100rpm, and 6 amps at 3500rpm. Your motor also has Battery ignition, meaning the battery must not only supply power to the starter, but to the coils as well. So running accessories may be pulling too much power from the system.<br /><br />Yes you can check the system, you should get approx 14.4volt reading at the battery with the engine running. If you are getting a lower reading, your charging system is not working, probably the rectifier.<br /><br />I would play it safe and run my toys from an auxiliary battery.

 

[kag22-250]

Re: 50 hp force charging system?

thanks for our answer. i am a little slow in the <br />electrical dept. how do i check for 14.4v at the battery??? if i have 14.4v isn't that then charging the battery ( if no aux equpiment is on)?this sounds like the engine will not run or stay running without any battery power (like a car)<br />is that true?

 

[roscoe]

Re: 50 hp force charging system?

Yes the engine MUST ALWAYS be connected to a battery as it will damage the system if you run it without a battery. Also, do not ever hook the battery up backwards, not even for a second.<br /><br />The system uses the battery to turn the starter, AND to supply power to the coils during starting. After it is started, the stator should generate enough power to supply the ignition system and to charge the battery.<br /><br />You might not get exactly 14.4 v, might be 12.8 to 14.6. <br />You should get over 13 though. You will need a test meter to check it. A cheap $14.99 radio shack model will do. Set the deal on the meter to DC volts, put the probes on the battery posts.<br /><br />Let us know what you find.