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miller19j

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Posted: June 30 2003,2:09 pm

Post # 1

I took the boat out yesterday for a little spin and noticed that my volt meter was registering 11 volts when running. If I remember correctly I usually run in the neighborhood of 14 volts. It started up fine except at the end of the day it had a little labor when starting. Leading me to believe that it may be more than the gauge.

Do you think my alternator is going out? What is the best way to check it?

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Posted: June 30 2003,2:18 pm

Post # 2

Quote (miller19j @ June 30 2003,2:09 pm)

A voltage reading is a very good indicator of your alternators output. I use a multi meter to check my voltage when I suspect there's a problem to rule out the possiblilty of a bad gauge. A bad ground can cause a false reading in the gauge too. A battery is usually charged with 1.5 volts higher than the batteries voltage so it should be closer to 14 volts when charging. Is that at a high idle? Often times, alternators don't put out anything at low idle.

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miller19j

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Posted: June 30 2003,3:11 pm

Post # 3

Quote (Havasu Doug @ June 30 2003,3:18 pm)

Â Is that at a high idle? Â Often times, alternators don't put out anything at low idle.

It doesnâ€™t seem to move. That is what tipped me off. Before it would go up when the rpmâ€™s went up.

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Posted: June 30 2003,3:20 pm

Post # 4

Sure sounds like the charging system isn't working. Is it interal or externaly regulated??

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miller19j

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Posted: June 30 2003,3:33 pm

Post # 5

Quote (Carrera Elite @ June 30 2003,4:20 pm)

Sure sounds like the charging system isn't working. Is it interal or externaly regulated??

Internal. I may just pull it and take it down to Napa and have them test it for me. I hate running the boat out of water.

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Posted: June 30 2003,5:26 pm

Post # 6

Double ck the wiring maybe its got a broken wire or a loose connection. Also ck the belt tension it might be slipping on the pulley.

Oh yeah, how was the trip home from Havasu with the radiator issues? I hope it went smooth.

KC

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Posted: July 01 2003,1:24 am

Post # 7

If you have one or can borrow one, hook an amp probe around the positive wore comming from your alternator and see what the reading is, even with a loose ground this will give you a better idea where the problem is.

Amp probes are cool tools- I have a 800 watt Kenwood with four 8x11 speakers and Sirius. I was concerned with running the battery down on the beach. I put the amp probe on the positive wire to the amp, measured the voltage, and used a formula to determine I could run my stereo for 5 hours before I was in danger of my Optima getting low. The trick is to crank the stereo up where it might be on the beach and use that reading for the formula, which I can post if you guys would like (it's at work..)

good luck with your alternator. : :confused

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Posted: July 01 2003,5:58 am

Post # 8

A real quick way to tell if it's charging, take a battery cable off while it's running, if it ain't charging the motor will dye, if it keeps running then it's charging!..

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AZKC

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Posted: July 01 2003,8:13 am

Post # 9

Quote (GoFastRacer @ July 01 2003,5:58 am)

A real quick way to tell if it's charging, take a battery cable off while it's running, if it ain't charging the motor will dye, if it keeps running then it's charging!..

Jezus GFR, you hi-tech focker. You can come up with something better than that :rotflmao

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miller19j

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Posted: July 01 2003,8:25 am

Post # 10

Quote (GoFastRacer @ July 01 2003,6:58 am)

A real quick way to tell if it's charging, take a battery cable off while it's running, if it ain't charging the motor will dye, if it keeps running then it's charging!..

I was wondering that but didnâ€™t want to show my ignorance by asking. I will give that a try; it sounds like the easiest way to find out if I really have a problem with my charging system or my gauge.

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miller19j

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Posted: July 01 2003,8:27 am

Post # 11

Thanks for all the input guys! I will let you know what I find.

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Posted: July 01 2003,6:36 pm

Post # 12

We'll be here waitin for results!..

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miller19j

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Posted: July 03 2003,9:27 pm

Post # 13

I found my problem; I went to take my alternator out to check it and found this. That would explain why it was not charging. :stupid

I guess the nut shook loose. I replaced it with a Nylock nut so it should be on there for a while now.

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Posted: July 04 2003,10:51 am

Post # 14

Cool, glad you found the problem, now it's time to enjoy it!.. :good

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Posted: July 06 2003,12:29 pm

Post # 15

Looks like you need some locktight on that bolt there miller.I am surprised you didint mention arcing and grounding from the loose wires.
As a side note when i suspect a charging problem i use a multi meter at the battery for a test since my voltage gage ususally reads wrong(always low)but at the batt i get 14 volts

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AZKC

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Posted: July 06 2003,12:34 pm

Post # 16

Quote (AZKC @ June 30 2003,5:26 pm)

Thats one for me :bebe

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