Voltmeter Question

[alion]

Maybe someone has had this come up...I was returning to the docks (about 9 miles) and several times, about 6 times, the voltmeter needle maxed out at 16 volts, dropped back to @ 13 volts, then buried itself...this went on and on, like I say, until I got to the dock. At moderate or low speeds the needle stays at 13, but at 5500, it jumps right up there. Anything to be concerned about?

[surf master]

Sounds to me that your voltage regulator is on the way out, or your gauge is grounding out some where. I would recommend getting the problem fixed before you go out again.

[alion]

my luck tells me it likely is the regulator...thanks for the reply surf master

[lemaymiami]

The things frequently go bad (the guage that is)... Here's one easy check. If you have a depth finder, most have a data screen that provides among other things a current voltage measure. If you have that feature you can go to that screen and compare the two readings... That is after you've had your mechanic check to verify your charging system is up to par.

[Poppr]

LM.

You stole my suggestion....or were just quicker to see the post ;)

I don't have a instrument cluster on the boat so that is how I occasionally check my voltage output.

I also carry a small voltmeter from Radio Shack on the boat but it is alot easier just to place my Lowrance on a data screen and give the voltage a quick eyeball.

A complete peg of the gauge would lead me to believe it is a grounding problem vice a regulator problem though. Especiall on a boat with saltwater/air involved as well as a long period sitting idle over the winter.

Just MHO

[lemaymiami]

The reason that I gave the reply was my own voltmeter. I run Johnson or Evinrude (for some years now) and have always used their factory guages (now Bombardier). It's good gear and always fully compatible, etc. For a few years though my voltmeter read 18 volts with the engine at planing speeds and my mechanic advised it was bad, it frequently occurred, that I shouldn't worry. Being a born worrier I finally replaced it. The new guage, now a year old, is starting to read at 15 to almost 16 volts.... No, I won't replace it... the screen on my depth finder, an eagle Classic, shows a solid 14 to 14.06 volts at full charge with the motor at 4300rpms so I know my in dash meter is a bit off.

As far as the cited problem, though, the fact that it's jumping around indicates that the charging system should be checked since there may be a problem there and not just a bad guage or wiring situation.

[alion]

I don't think my Ray 365 has that feature...will check the manual, but I do have a vt meter...thanks for your replies ;)