charging problems need help!

[mattlehman90]

I have a Volvo penta GS and my volts jump around on me. I have had the battery checked and the alternator With no luck. When I have it running I'm at about 13 sometimes 13.5 volts. but then it will drop randomly with nothing turned on. it comes back up and just repeats its self. But then when I have the blower on it drops a lot same with the trim. Also if I have the radio on and use the trim sometimes it kills the radio and will turn back on when I let off the trim. I don't want to end up killing the battery on the water so if anyone has any ideas it would be much appreciated.

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: charging problems need help!

I'm going with bad ground. I would start looking at the back of the engine. On my engine, I have grounds that connect to studs on each the starboard and port side by the bell housing. I would check these locations then start moving towards the helm inspecting the ground or hot wire for damage. Finally, inspect where the neg and pos connect to the fuse panel or bus for corroded or loose connections. If you post the make and model of your boat you may find someone who has had the same issue as you.

 

[mattlehman90]

Re: charging problems need help!

It is a 2000 reinell 180 millenium edition. I also just noticed That the other gauges kinda doing the same thing. When i turn on the dash lights all The gauges jump up and the volts drop. today the rpms went crazy for about 5 seconds but then went back to normal at idle. wiring is the one thing I've never been good at

 

[Grub54891]

Re: charging problems need help!

Yeah,clean all the grounds,also have the battery load tested,a weak battery can't keep up to the electrical demand
Grub.

 

[mattlehman90]

Re: charging problems need help!

I will clean the grounds today im guessing with a wire brush? I have had it load tested by two places so dont think its that but i guess you never know.

 

[mattlehman90]

Re: charging problems need help!

Also could a bad battery make the gauges jump around?

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: charging problems need help!

If the batteries or batteries are able to start the boat, it can't be them. Yes, use a wire brush till they shine and then buy some protector or just slap on some good old vasoline.

 

[dennis461]

Re: charging problems need help!

If the easy remedies don't work. Buy a new alternator. When they get old and DON'T short out, the brushes get too short and begin to lose contact with the rotor. Since it's not shorted, the voltage on the boat wiring simply jumps between 13.5 and 12.

 

[mattlehman90]

Re: charging problems need help!

Ok so i got the volts to where they need to be. They sit at from 13.5-14 and the boat ran vary good for most of the day. But then i stopped on a island for about an hour. When i went to leave and it would not turn over at all it acted like it was dead. But the volts said 12.5 i had to hold the key for about five sec or so before it would turn. After it did start it would idle at about 500 should be about 800. Would not stay running in an idle has to give it gas to keep it going. So i went to the dock but for some reason the temp would not go over 110 Should run at 175. When i got it home i put it on muffs to flush it and see it would start ok. It started just fine nothing like in the water. But now it wants to over heat I'm completely baffled by this. If its not one thing its another!