battery charging on the water

[1kickpic]

what's the best way to insure that the motor is sufficiently charging the battery while in operation? should i be installing an amp meter guage (like what's on my rider mower)? what exactly is the wiring hook-up if a guage is the answer? thanks in advance.

 

[Solittle]

Re: battery charging on the water

I don't know if this is the best way but it is the simplest way I know. With the moror, and everything electrical, turned off take a voltage reading between the positive and negative terminals of the battery. Lets say it is 12.5 volts. Now start the motor and turn all the electrical stuff on and take another reading. If it is less than 12.5 the battery is discharging and the alternator is either not working or not keeping up with the load. If greater than 12.5 the alternator is doing what it is wupposed to. It is also a good idea to check the battery with a hydrometer.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: battery charging on the water

Yes - an ammeter would be a good idea. I plan on installing one on my boat next season. I allways bring one of those portable jump starters with me...starts my cranky old inline 6 without trouble. (well, before I killed it anyway )

 

[Mark42]

Re: battery charging on the water

BTW, You can install a volt meter instead of an ammeter guage. The volt meter guage will indicate the battery voltage when the motor is off (12.5) and will indicate the alternator voltage when the motor is on (14). Does the same as SoLittle's voltage check, but it is always hooked up. And it doesn't need all the big guage wire that an ammeter needs.<br /><br />One drawback to the ammeter guage is that all current (except for the starter motor) will be going through it. If the guage is mounted on the dash, and the motor and battery are in the aft, then you need to run a lot of large guage wire from the motor to the dash then back again to the motor. This can cause a voltage drop if the wire is not large enough to carry the boats load. If you mount the guage near the motor, you bypass this condition, but the guage is not easy to read from the helm. <br /><br />Mark