Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

[mnmfors]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

Ok, battery is up to 10v now, still not fully charged, However, I am really excited to get something done on this motor, as tonight is my only night off. <br /><br />I tested as you instructed, and it is reading 10v, same as battery, can we move forward from here? Or should I just wait for the battery to recieve a full charge?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

I am really concerned about your battery. 10 volts is totally out to lunch. You may have a shorted cell. Don't start this engine until battery is charged up. I'll say it one more time, a low or bad battery can damage a charging system. You will have to leave battery on a slow charge for atleast 12 hours. (2-4amps charge rate)<br />The battery "open circuit voltage"(OCV) should be atleast 12.8v at your location. The 12.8v will indicate a fully charged battery(or close to it)Before you can accurately measure OCV, you must remove a surface charge that will accumulate from the charging process. To do this, simply crank engine over for 5 seconds, then stop cranking and wait 2-3 minutes, then measure the OCV. If OCV is less than 12.8v, continue charging for a few more hours, then test OCV again. Repeat this procedure until 12.8v is reached.<br /><br />While you're waiting for the battery to come up in charge, you can test the rectifier assmy. You should have either an analog meter with ohm-meter function or best of all, a digital meter with a 'diode test' function.<br /><br />>do you have a meter? Tell me what you got and I'll give you test instructions...<br /><br />

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

forgot to mention.....if after several hours of charging, and the voltage still reads between 10 - 11 volts, best be off to Walmart and buy a new battery!!<br /><br />let us know.... <br /><br />also......is this what the rectifier looks like?<br /><br />

 

[mnmfors]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

Thanks Schematic,<br /> Need another battery? Two of the three in the boat are less than 6 mo. old. I trust your judgement, I guess the problems with charging could be damaging my batteries. I will get a new one. I am unsure about the type...deep cycle?? I have been getting deep cycle because of no charge. I am hell bent on fixing the charging prob. so, should I get a regular battery now?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

Lets get more specific....<br /><br />>how are the batteries hooked(parallel or separate)?<br />>the one that you said has 10 volts...with what, and where did you measure this voltage?<br />>did you charge it over night?<br />>did the voltage come up?<br />>were the electrolyte levels very low at one time, and you topped them up?<br /><br /><br />DON'T buy new until we trouble-shoot this thing and specific tests are performed! I hate spending money for nothing. And then there's E-Bay....LOL<br /><br />

 

[mnmfors]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

The meter I am using is a radio shack, has DCV..15,150,1000; then RX 1 K ohm; "off", then 150mA DC; ACV 1000,150,15.....in that order starting from left to right...not digital...has an ohms adj. dial on left. (not sure how to use that)....is this meter sufficiant?

 

[Trent]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

Dont buy a deep cycle for your starting battery!! Buy a starting battery..The bigger the better!

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

Hi mnmfors:<br /><br />>Is that a full size meter, or one of those 3" X 2" babies?<br /><br />>please answer the questions from my last post and we'll continue....<br /><br />

 

[mnmfors]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

yes, that is my rectifier...(I thought it was called a regulator) one positive pole, two others. A mechanic told me to take the one off of my 115 merc and put it on the 90 we are working on. The motor now starts and runs really good. Should I go ahead and get a new rectifier? I was told they were't expensive. However, I dont wish to spend money that I don't have to. What do you think?

 

[mnmfors]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

the batteries were connected to a switch (1,2,all), but I have unhooked that and now I change them manually.

 

[mnmfors]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

it is a 3 x2 baby. Junk?

 

[mnmfors]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

water level is fine, all three, no change in voltage, I am pretty sure that one battery is under warranty, I could just trade it in, maybe I should use my truck battery for tests?

 

[mnmfors]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

>how are the batteries hooked(parallel or separate)?<br />separate, I change them manually...wing nuts tightened with pliers<br />>the one that you said has 10 volts...with what, and where did you measure this voltage?<br />measured from the battery with the meter described earlier<br />>did you charge it over night?<br />yes, overnight, 2amp (lowest setting)<br />>did the voltage come up?<br />no<br />>were the electrolyte levels very low at one time, and you topped them up?<br />I always pull off covers and check levels when charging, yes they are full.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

OK<br />>meter is not accurate enough to determine battery 'state of charge'. Acquire a digital meter from someone or somewhere (preferably with a "diode test function") I don't want to replace good batteries!!<br /><br />>rectifier may be OK, if battery is bad(holding voltage low).<br /><br />>we can check the rectifier with the baby meter, or we can wait for the digital...<br /><br />>are all the batteries deep cycle?<br /><br />>do you use an electric trolling motor?<br /><br />>were you leaving the batt. switch in the 'all' position when charging system quit?<br /><br /><br />

 

[mnmfors]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

OK<br />>meter is not accurate enough to determine battery 'state of charge'. Acquire a digital meter from someone or somewhere (preferably with a "diode test function") I don't want to replace good batteries!!<br /> How much do you think a digital meter will cost?<br />>rectifier may be OK, if battery is bad(holding voltage low).<br /> How about using my truck battery to find out? <br /><br />>we can check the rectifier with the baby meter, or we can wait for the digital...<br /><br />>are all the batteries deep cycle?<br /> Yes, all three<br />>do you use an electric trolling motor?<br /> Has one, but due to charging prob, not feasable to use it, I even took it off the boat.<br />>were you leaving the batt. switch in the 'all' position when charging system quit?<br /> This motor has never charged any battery I have put in it. I installed the switch myself to make it easier to switch batteries. I would run on first battery until it wouldnt perform, switch to second battery. I would charge on "all" as I have an auto shut off charger. Motor acted up in the water, I cranked to long on the starter, melted the switch, so I removed it<br /><br />Thanks for the advice on the battery, Trent.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

Hello again..<br /><br />A cheap digital with "diode test" function costs about $20.00 CAN on sale. Well worth the investment if you plan on maintaining your boat. We have Canadian Tire and Princess Auto, maybe try Walmart?<br /><br />If I were you.......<br /><br />>Buy one marine battery for starting (NOT TOO LARGE, maybe 550-650 CCA, sorry I don't know the MCA equivalent)(too large a batt. will put too high a load for too long on charging system in the event the battery is discharged, thus damaging system)<br />>Keep deep-cycle batteries totally separate from engine electrical(especially with your charging system history). <br />>charge deep cycle with battery charger at end of day if you're using troller.<br />>get digital meter for trouble-shooting<br /><br />How do we know if you vehicle battery is up in charge? I know the odds are good...but..<br />I'm not a gambler!! One last time.....do not install a low battery in a marine or any application......please!<br /><br />Get a meter, then we'll continue...<br /><br />

 

[mnmfors]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

Will do......it will be a short while before I can get this done. thanks again for all the help, I would be lost without your advice. Talk to you in a few days.<br /><br />Different subject: 115 carbs on a 90?....your thoughts? (posted subject earlier)

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

one last thing.........<br />get those batteries on charge while we're waiting!!<br /><br /><br /> <br />

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

Hi<br />When you get your meter, remove all wires from rectifier and do the tests below...<br /><br />

 

[12Footer]

Re: Anyone know anything about outboard charging systems?

Schematic,I just love to read the threads where you put the pretty schematics...I see where you got your handle. Very kewl.<br />