88 Special charging

surrender

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While out fishing this morning my battery would only charge to 14 volts(based on digital gauge) then drop to as low as 12.6 then back up towards 13 then down then back up , you get the picture. New stator, rectifier tests goof. Good battery have lost a cell and wont hold a charge? I probably over charged it in the past with the unregulated system so new battery may be in order along with coverting to regualted system
 

wilde1j

Vice Admiral
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Apr 15, 2002
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5,964
Re: 88 Special charging

Most auto parts places like Auto Zone will load test a battery at no charge. Then you will know whether it's OK before replacing.
 

emdsapmgr

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Dec 9, 2005
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11,551
Re: 88 Special charging

It is unusual for the voltage to vary that way. Usually it slowly increases from 12.5 volts upward, the longer you run the engine. Check your battery connections to make sure they are clean (not corroded) and that the main engine wire cable nuts are really tight on the battery. Do you run a tach on this engine?
 

F_R

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Jul 7, 2006
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Re: 88 Special charging

Are you running anything else on that battery that may have been switching on and off? Bilge pump?
 

surrender

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Re: 88 Special charging

Bilge was not running, only GPS. Yes I run a tach and it was steady as a rock at 4800. the run to the ramp was about 20 minutes of 4800 rpm and voltage kept going up and down. I am taking battery to be load tested today. I think with the unregulated system I overcharged the battery and fried it on previous trips. I had in the past seen 18 volts on the gauge before I could turn accessories on to drop the voltage so I suspect battery is done.
 

emdsapmgr

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11,551
Re: 88 Special charging

Your tach appears to be working ok, so the rectifier is probably recharging the battery ok. These unregulated charging systems will run up to 16-18 volts after the engine runs for a while. Pretty normal. As a result, you should keep an eye on the water level in the battery. If it gets low, (below the tops of the plates) the battery's life will be reduced. Agree on the battery load test.
 

surrender

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Jan 25, 2009
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393
Re: 88 Special charging

Had batt tested at Wal Mart (Ever Start from Wal mart) and it tested good. went across the street and Auto Zone got the same, good battery. So I will go over connections and see how it test stator battery charge side to see if its putting out proper voltages and go from there.
 

emdsapmgr

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 9, 2005
Messages
11,551
Re: 88 Special charging

Make sure the battery connections are clean and secured tightly. Loose or corroded connections could be a problem.
 
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