uprating charge systems

[stevetheplumb]

hi all im new here, ive just bought a bayliner capri with a force l drive 120 hp
the volt meter only shows 12.5 v when at wot and looks like its not charging.
ive looked into the charging system and looks like its a low charge model (7amps)
but ive also noticed that later models (91onwards) have a 18 amp charg system can i convert my engine to the 18 amp system as i intend running a radio and gps

Would i be right in saying i would need to replace the stator and rectifier ? and are they a direct swap ? any imput would be great !

please dont choke up the thread with the l drive is rubbish routine!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: uprating charge systems

Since the L drive used the basic 3 or 4 cylinder Force engine, if I were a betting man, I would gamble that the stator and rectifier will swap onto the block with only very minor changes, if any. I am not certain, but I think L drives were discontinued before Mercury changed the ignition and flywheel. That would probably be your only concern.


Oh, By the way: L drives are crap---you made me do it LOL

 

[stevetheplumb]

Re: uprating charge systems

thanks for the info..... i bought the boat not knowing about the l drive history, and to be fair it does run well, if i had known i wouldnt of bought it ! but i like the boat (despite the engine ) and going to make the best of a bad situation and stock pile a load of parts!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: uprating charge systems

The same deal is told about old Chrysler Magna-Power II ignition system outboards. They regularly failed, and Chrysler discontinued that ignition after only about two years, but some just kept running happily no matter what.

So: Even given their history, if I didn't like outboards so much and don't want an engine inside the boat, I might have bought an L drive just to be contrary and to see if I could keep the damn thing running. --Yeah, I'm always up for a challenge.

 

[my1stboat1]

Re: uprating charge systems

my 1988 85 hp force also only charges at 12.5 volts at wot.. If you disconnect the Red wire from the rectifier it defaults to full volts and you will see 13 volts at idles and 14.5 to 15 volts while cruising...

worked out well for me

 

[jason32038]

Re: uprating charge systems

You can have the stator rewound to increase power on the charging circuits. Not sure how much that ignition will handle...they can be rewound to factory specs.

 

[stevetheplumb]

Re: uprating charge systems

my 1988 85 hp force also only charges at 12.5 volts at wot.. If you disconnect the Red wire from the rectifier it defaults to full volts and you will see 13 volts at idles and 14.5 to 15 volts while cruising...

worked out well for me

i dont see how disconecting the red wire will do anything as this is the wire that puts charge back into the battery !

 

[jason32038]

Re: uprating charge systems

i dont see how disconecting the red wire will do anything as this is the wire that puts charge back into the battery !

That means he wants to paddle back home when his battery dies in the middle of the water.