erratic or no charging

T

townerpete

New Member
Oct 3, 2009
2
Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Boat Info
270 Sundancer
Engines
454 Mercrusier with BIII
Just bought 1996 330DA. under 500 hrs. FWC. Surveyed. Ran fine in NC, I know I need valve job on port engine. All readings on temp and elect were fine. Now, it is in my slip and had to use the emergency start to fire the port engine, and now notice both meters are not showing any or erratic charging. Id I kill both engines and restart, the meters might show charge at idle...or they might not.

I will clean terminals, but it seems strange that both meters are now showing a problem. I know I will need to spend some money, just don't want to waste any. Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Are the batteries good, was something left on, loose belts?
With the engine off, measure the battery voltage, start engine to 1000rpm, read battery voltage.Around 13.6-14.6 is normal
If gauges still read none/low, its a wiring/gauge issue. If no increase, its a alt. issue
 
Check your circuit brakers. I have a battary charger braker that trips once in a while.
 
Pull all the batts. and test or better replace.
If replacing test the new ones, before leaving the store.
Once, I had to return a brand new bad battery....(might just be my luck).

After, I would pull and test the alternators.
One step at a time.

Good luck,
Mark.
 
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Had similar situation with a 45' that I used to have, the larger boats are really tough on house batteries. IMHO, batteries will pretty much have to be replaced yearly, the number of discharge cyles on the batteries is pretty high over a years time. Also, when you start to lug the alternater, because of a low amperage situation, you have another problem..replacing starters. My guess is the prior owner didn't want to spend another $400 on new batteries right before he/she sold the boat, may have just stuck a cheap starting battery on-board before the sea trial. On-board three stage charging systems help, but in terms of consistant reliability, I've never gotten more than one season out of my batts.
 
* when you start to lug the starters (not alternator)...... sorry. Also, for clarification the starter/house batts are usually the same battery bank, so the batts get used pretty hard. THX, JA
 
my 1998 330 does the same exact thing, I can test both batteries with engine off and when running. all voltage checks ok on a digital volt/ohm meter.
but the factory guagues will be erattic and sometimes pegged at 16 volts when running

the batteries are new and were tested prior to installing them, and i still have to jump the port side engine on occasion.
I assume my boat is wired to run all house circuits off the port side bank?
the only thing I have not tested is the onboard charger. does anyone know what the guage should say on the front of the charger?

as far as the guages go, my port side tach is also erratic... sounds like a common problem with them
 
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