Re: charging system not working

Posted by Birddog (68.164.10.99) on February 18, 2004 at 21:12:53:

In Reply to: charging system not working posted by mark williams on February 18, 2004 at 17:51:24:

A decent digital multi-meter would tell you your voltage at the battery.Check the voltage at the batt before you start the boat,should be about 12.5 to 13 VDC.After you start the boat see what voltage you have on the terminals, it should be more than what you had with the motor off,if not crank up the RPM's and see if it increases.If the alternator is charging you should see abround 13-15 VDC at the terminals.If you have a clamp on ampprobe you can check your branch circuits to see if anything is dragging the system down.It has been my experience if you have a bad cell the car/boat will usually start and run fine but once in a while or after sitting over night ,it won't start.Is it a maint. free batt,how old is it?