battery charging issue has me stumped

[FishHog]

1997 Evinrude 35. Realized battery wasn't charging. Following manual was sure it was the stator, so replaced. Still not charging. So went to the voltage regulator but that didn't change the issue either. testing the leads from the voltage regulator I'm getting an increase in voltage as I rev it up.
All wires test fine. Yet clearly I'm missing something as I'm not get a voltage increase at the battery and it slowly dies from starting.
Found my kill switch wasn't working, thought maybe that was somehow related, but fixed that and still no charging. I'm at a loss.

Any suggestions that I'm overlooking?
Thanks

 

[racerone]

Factory parts used ?-----Have you tested the battery, yes or no ?

 

[FishHog]

Yes factory parts and battery seems fine. Charges up with a battery charger and holds voltage. Just depletes as I keep starting the motor. I'm sure its fine, but am scratching my head enough that I was thinking of changing it out just to be sure. But I don't see how it could be the issue.

 

[dingbat]

Yes factory parts and battery seems fine. Charges up with a battery charger and holds voltage. Just depletes as I keep starting the motor.

Typical behavior of a battery on the way out.

“Holding voltage” is a meaningless measure of performance. Have the battery load tested to determine condition

 

[FishHog]

Maybe but doesn’t explain why I don’t see an increase in voltage from the engine. Even no battery should show that. I can load test but starting the boat 20 times in a morning while fishing seems to show me that it’s working ok and takes a charge from a battery charger. So why isn’t my motor putting out any charge?

 

[Crosbyman]

what AC do you see from the stator on 2 yellows ? does AC volts go up on yellows.

Typically, AC will be rectified and regulated back to the battery via the red regulator red wire bridged on the fat red from the battery on the solenoid. .

clean up up all connections. on the solenoid B+ post where the battery is connected.

if the regulator works the output current will backfeed to the battery on the fat red. CLEAN all battery connections and grounds.

 

[FishHog]

Thanks I’ll do that

 

[oldboat1]

Take the battery to an auto parts store and have it tested. If the battery load tests OK and holds a charge, replace the rectifier/regulator.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

I agree with oldboat or if you have a tester (volt meter) you can do a resistance test on the rectifier.

Pretty straight forward with lots of stuff on YouTube.

 

[Crosbyman]

"I'm getting an increase in voltage as I rev it up.
All wires test fine. Yet clearly I'm missing something as I'm not get a voltage increase at the battery"

the mid point being the solenoid interface between regulator and battery my 2 cents are on a poor connection...or bad ground reference point.

 

[FishHog]

thanks guys, when it stops raining I'll get back at it. But rectifier was already replaced. Will dig into solenoid connections.

 

[cyclops222]

There is a protective fuse somewhere after the rectifier. Usually right on the engine.

 

[Crosbyman]

fuses are typically not involved with the backfeed of charging current /volts from the regulator

the charge current goes from regulator directly to solenoid input B+ then goes back directly to the battery B+

see example of typical wiring from a MAX RULES site picture

 

[dingbat]

There is a protective fuse somewhere after the rectifier. Usually right on the engine.

Stators have unregulated output. If there was a fuse between it and the battery, and the fuse was to blow, you’d melt the stator

 

[saltchuckmatt]

"Battery seems fine" yet I see no proof.

The battery is the regulator. Rectifier just converts it to usable power.

If your getting a charge at the wires then your system is good. It appears that your battery has a headache similar to ones wife!

 

[Crosbyman]

which wire and where exactly....?? seems like he does see a charging voltage rise at one location but....it does not make it to the battery post.???

it is it seems ....getting lost on the way somewhere ...?

I would start wiggling things around in case of a bad wire , dirty oxydized joints etc... with engine running and my VOM across both batt. posts jmho

 

[FishHog]

exactly Crosbyman. I'm getting a voltage increase into the mid 14v range at the wires coming out of the voltage regulator. Yet its not making it to the battery. I'm pretty convinced it has nothing to do with the battery but will switch it with a spare to verify. Yet it works as well as it ever has as far as starting, and recharging with a separate battery charger. Just gets depleted with starting as it doesn't get any charge back while engine is running.
Pouring rain here but will pull connections of the solenoid and clean them. And switch battery for another one off my trolling motor but I can't see how the battery is causing the issue. I get batteries are often an issue, but I'm not new to batteries and know what to look for when testing them. This one seems to be working fine, but I will confirm with another just to be sure.

Appreciate the ideas everyone.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Ever hear of a diode? It's a rectifier.....repeat, rectifier.

 

[Crosbyman]

Ever hear of a diode? It's a rectifier.....repeat, rectifier.

??? meaning

 

[racerone]

Model # of the motor ?----Is it the 3 cylinder ?--The parts for these 3 cylinder motors are quite expensive.-----Any testing done before spending the beer tokens?