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Alternator voltage |
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rman56 
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 Topic: Alternator voltagePosted: May-30-2014 at 8:54pm |
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At 2000 to 2500 rpms what should the volt guage read? Mine was fluctuating from 13 to 16 off and on. Not sure if it's guage issue or an alternator issue. Is the voltage regulator on the alternator. It's a 83 SN.
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1983 Ski Nautique
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TX Foilhead
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Joined: February-01-2009 Location: Kingsland TX Status: Offline Points: 2076 |
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Posted: May-30-2014 at 9:32pm |
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It should be steady, the amps are what change the voltage shouldn't. I would guess from the age that it came with an external regulator. Certainly won't hurt to clean up all the wire connections that lead to the alternator, but I'm with you on the voltage regulator going south.
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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Posted: May-30-2014 at 10:08pm |
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I agree that the volts should be pretty consistent and will vary depending on what the battery charge needs. The 16 is high. It should be around 14.5 when the charge is needed. Unless the boat was converted to a internally regulated alternator, it should have a external regulator. As mentioned, clean up all your terminal including the battery posts and cable terminals. If that doesn't work, have the battery load tested. Get back to us about the regulator.
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8122pbrainard
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Posted: May-31-2014 at 7:43am |
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Ryan?
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rman56
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Posted: May-31-2014 at 2:49pm |
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Is the voltage regulator on the alternator?
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1983 Ski Nautique
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8122pbrainard
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Posted: May-31-2014 at 4:49pm |
Ryan, I asked if the alternator was ever changed to internally regulated. Do you know? Maybe you have a friend who knows more that would be willing to take a look? An external regulator will be a rectangular black box typically mounted on the aft end of the engine. Also, get the VOM out and check the voltage to make sure your gauge isn't incorrect. |
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oldcuda
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Posted: May-31-2014 at 6:37pm |
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Sounds like regulator is failing alt will put out that kind of voltage all the time regulator should keep voltage at about 13.8-14 somewhere in that ballpark
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rman56
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Posted: June-01-2014 at 12:44am |
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Iam not sure if it the original or not, Iam taking it to a guy on Monday . We were at the lake the lake this weekend and it started acting goofy and shutting the stereo down too.
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1983 Ski Nautique
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8122pbrainard
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Posted: June-01-2014 at 8:28am |
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Ryan,
Did you?
Use a wire brush type post cleaner designed for battery posts and cable terminals. |
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rman56
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Posted: June-01-2014 at 11:32am |
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Iam running 2 optima blue tops and they are squeaky clean. I will post a pic of the alternator to see if it is the original one.
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1983 Ski Nautique
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rman56
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Posted: June-01-2014 at 2:25pm |
  
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1983 Ski Nautique
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TX Foilhead
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Posted: June-01-2014 at 2:39pm |
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That looks original.
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rman56
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Posted: June-01-2014 at 2:47pm |
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That's what I was thinking so I can't decide to rebuild this one just buy a new one with new technology.
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1983 Ski Nautique
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8122pbrainard
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Posted: June-01-2014 at 2:54pm |
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Ryan,
I agree that your alternator is original. Did you look for the regulator mounted on the aft end of the engine? Take it with you along with the alternator and have it tested as well. Why are you running dual blue tops? Did you check the voltage with a VOM as suggested to rule out a problem with the gauge? |
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rman56
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Posted: June-01-2014 at 4:00pm |
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I didn't have any guages to check the VOM, we were at the lake. I pulled the alternator and didn't pull the regulator (spaced it off) and I store it 4 hours away at the lake. I run 2 blue tops because one runs the stereo and the other one runs the boat.
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1983 Ski Nautique
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8122pbrainard
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Posted: June-01-2014 at 5:09pm |
"VOM" stands for volt Ohm meter. Get one since they are around $20. They are invaluable around the hose, boat and home. Besides the dash volt gauge, how are you troubleshooting the system?  What do you mean about spacing off the regulator? Evidently you did find it!!  Do you have isolation between the batteries? |
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rman56
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Posted: June-01-2014 at 6:06pm |
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I do not have an isolator between the batteries at this point, we have ran the system for three years and has worked perfect until this weekend. I will probably gather up a bunch of new parts and take them over with me in a couple weeks.
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rman56
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Posted: June-01-2014 at 6:10pm |
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The worst thing to do is be wanting to have fun and can't!
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1983 Ski Nautique
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8122pbrainard wrote: