Mercury bigfoot 60hp what running battery voltage is normal? 12.6-12.7v currently. Replace stator now?

[beachatlast]

I have a 2006 60hp Mercury 1C040294. When not running the battery showed 12.9v, when running the battery showed 12.7v. I have not charged battery and have run then boat maybe 12 times since October with 4 led lights and depth only hawkeye meter. I did replace the regulator a few days back and it went to 12.6v when running then. I have not driven the boat this season without it dying or having to row home. I noticed when activating trim at low speeds it would die. It almost always just starts back up. I also noticed I had the battery loose back in October it would die, as well when disconnected. It did not die on last trip when running trim or accessories, but it did bog when trying to open the engine up. Perhaps a new problem but did not want to leave out this fact. So my question is, could it be normal to have that battery reading when running? I even revved it up in neutral on shore and no increased battery reading. Do I replace the stator because of this lower voltage? Should I be reading the voltage somewhere else besides where the battery connects to the outboard? Last time we had it out it was in the evening. Usually when it dies, it is in the hot afternoon after we ran it for a while. I read that is when electrical problems can be more present.

 

[dingbat]

So my question is, could it be normal to have that battery reading when running? I even revved it up in neutral on shore and no increased battery reading. Do I replace the stator because of this lower voltage?

Sound like you charging system isn't working.
Charge voltage varies between motors but typically 13.5 to 13.9 volts

I would not replace the stator w/o doing some troubleshooting as other things can cause problems in the charging system, as you found out by replacing the regulator w/o the desired results.

 

[QBhoy]

See if you have a short circuit across the trim wiring. Or across the positive to earth on the engine. What does the voltage drop to when you turn the key and whilst turning her over ?

 

[beachatlast]

See if you have a short circuit across the trim wiring. Or across the positive to earth on the engine. What does the voltage drop to when you turn the key and whilst turning her over ?

I will check the voltage when turning key and turning over as soon as I get a second set of hands. I did jumper wire from battery positive and negative directly to the motor. Also replaced the stator. Still same problem. So I should take out the control, put a jumper wire from the trim up down wires and connect directly to the motor as well to eliminate short circuit as root cause?

 

[beachatlast]

Ok so I did another test and I read 14.5 volts when running at medium speed on water. So I think that problem is solved. And nothing is dying at low speeds and trimming. I did replace the quick connect valve on the gas tank with a non quick connect. Only remaining problems that I know of are that it will not trim up at higher speeds, and sometimes in reverse higher than idle speeds, the motor will click as if it is hitting something on the bottom every 3-4 seconds... I will research more on this trim issue, but welcome to any ideas.

 

[beachatlast]

Ok so I did another test and I read 14.5 volts when running at medium speed on water. So I think that problem is solved. And nothing is dying at low speeds and trimming. I did replace the quick connect valve on the gas tank with a non quick connect. Only remaining problems that I know of are that it will not trim up at higher speeds, and sometimes in reverse higher than idle speeds, the motor will click as if it is hitting something on the bottom every 3-4 seconds... I will research more on this trim issue, but welcome to any ideas.

Interesting that I do notice yesterday that it will trim up a bit at higher speeds but then it is falling back down on its own. Almost like the water pressure is stronger than the trim motor.

 

[dingbat]

Interesting that I do notice yesterday that it will trim up a bit at higher speeds but then it is falling back down on its own. Almost like the water pressure is stronger than the trim motor.

Leak down isn't a pump issue.
You either have a stuck check valve(s), a leaking trim cylinder or both

When was the as time you checked level and or changed the trim fluid?
System could be contaminated with water

 

[beachatlast]

Never. New and first time boat owner had it for 5 days, then IAN hit and boat was upside down on 2 houses. Thanks for the tips I will youtube for a how to change out the trim fluid and do that as first step. I didnt even know there was a trim fluid lol. Thanks again.