Electical issues - voltage regulator?

[dtown]

How high is too high on the voltage guage? We had our first day out this weekend. Our voltage meter was reading 13.5 (with motor running) at first, then drifted to 14 after about an hour or so... then stayed at 14 for the day. I'm not sure but I seam to think that it ran at 13 all last season. Are we having a voltage regulator problems?

[Waterski-Rebel]

Mine was running at 12 yesterday with the motor running, and sitting at 11 with the motor off (key turned on).

I assumed my gauge was off a little, I was expecting 13.5 with the motor running.

[spharis]

14.4 should be the reading when the engine is running and the alt is powering the electrical system. 15 is still OK....over 16 would mean issues.

[Waterski-Rebel]

So, if mine was reading 12 does that mean I have a bad gauge, alt, battery, or ????

[whitlock87]

So, if mine was reading 12 does that mean I have a bad gauge, alt, battery, or ????

NO
The gage on the dash is just to give you an idea of what your system is doing.
This is an analog gage, and not very accurate. If your boat normally runs at 12, and they all of a sudden starts to run at 14 or higher, then I would look into it. (12 on your gage could be 14 on his). This is why I never trust what see on the dash. I have a DVM that I use if I think something is up. FYI ( my gages reads 12 when I have 13.5 vdc)

[dtown]

NO
The gage on the dash is just to give you an idea of what your system is doing.
This is an analog gage, and not very accurate. If your boat normally runs at 12, and they all of a sudden starts to run at 14 or higher, then I would look into it. (12 on your gage could be 14 on his). This is why I never trust what see on the dash. I have a DVM that I use if I think something is up. FYI ( my gages reads 12 when I have 13.5 vdc)

Do you test it at the battery terminals or somewhere else? What should the reading be on the DVM while motor is running? While motor off? I'll take my DVM to the river with me next trip. Thanks

[Waterski-Rebel]

So, does DVM stand for Digital Voltage Meter? Also, X2 ^^ Do I test it at the battery, at the back of an accessory switch, or at the alternator?

[whitlock87]

I test mine on the main buss located under the dash.

Due to resistance, you will get different readings at different locations.
If the engine is running, you should see something around 13.5 -14 vdc.
If the engine is off, It depends on how long it’s been off and what you have been doing.
(The more you drain your battery, the lower it will be)

You should be able to leave you the battery disconnected ( at the main switch) for more the a few months, and still have a reeding at or above 12 vdc.

I always turn my main switch off at the end of ever trip.
( I do have the memory for the radio bypassing the main switch)

[spharis]

If you have anything powered on you will get fluctuations too. I would say you should have over 13V regardless of how many accessories you have powered.

[dogbert]

NO
The gage on the dash is just to give you an idea of what your system is doing.
This is an analog gage, and not very accurate. If your boat normally runs at 12, and they all of a sudden starts to run at 14 or higher, then I would look into it. (12 on your gage could be 14 on his). This is why I never trust what see on the dash. I have a DVM that I use if I think something is up. FYI ( my gages reads 12 when I have 13.5 vdc)

Mine fluctuates all the time. When I start it, I have to go above 1000 RPMs before it will get to 12.