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Low voltage/Batt loses charge |
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easy-c 
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Joined: August-10-2011 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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 Topic: Low voltage/Batt loses chargePosted: September-15-2011 at 5:46am |
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Hey all. this is my first post and im eager to hear from all the experts. thanks in advance.
I am having an issue with my 1980 SN. while running i usually only see about 10 volts on the gauge. I get no charge while running and watch the voltage meter slowly decrease over about an hour or so and soon i have to get a jump. I can charge the battery but the process repeats itself. I took both the alternator and the battery to get tested and the alternator tested good, showing that it was putting out 13.7 volts. the battery was weak and since it was old I replaced it anyway with an interstate marine battery. I ran the boat after I put it all back together with the new battery to see if I had a better reading on my voltmeter gauge but i still only saw about 10 volts? unfortunately i wasn't able to run it for that long but i was wondering if it was the wiring as well. The wires coming off the alternator don't seem as big as i think they would be and ive heard that they could be too small or there could be a short in the system. on top of that, i have no skills at electronics and don't know how to fix the wiring, or what goes where. thanks for the help -easy-c |
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: September-15-2011 at 8:50am |
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New heavier battery cables and connectors, running heavier + & - wire up to the dash and eliminating the "daisy chains" under the dash will solve the problem. They went light and inexpensive at the factory. There's plenty of info here on site about it - it's a common problem.
Welcome to CCfan. BTW, I also hope that new battery is a starting battery and not a deep cycle. You do NOT want a deep cycle. Also you do not need a "marine". All that gives you are the wing nut studs for the cable connections. |
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C-Bass
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Joined: November-18-2008 Location: Columbus, IN Status: Offline Points: 1248 |
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Posted: September-15-2011 at 11:10am |
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By eliminating the daisy chains, I assume the best solution is to wire to a ground bus bar of some type?
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Bri892001
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Joined: September-27-2008 Location: Boston MA Status: Offline Points: 4947 |
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Posted: September-15-2011 at 12:11pm |
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Hi Craig,
You're right. A bus bar is a good solution. I found an old thread that mentions it: http://nautiqueowner.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=683&PID=3392&title=low-voltage |
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: September-15-2011 at 12:19pm |
Craig, Yes if you really want to clean up the typical mess behind the dash. Another simpler solution is to feed the daisy chains from both ends. |
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Bri892001
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Joined: September-27-2008 Location: Boston MA Status: Offline Points: 4947 |
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Posted: September-15-2011 at 12:22pm |
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Pete,
By "feed from both ends" do you mean connect one ground wire on one side of the chain and another on the other side? |
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: September-15-2011 at 12:40pm |
Yes |
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easy-c
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Joined: August-10-2011 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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Posted: September-15-2011 at 5:22pm |
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Thanks everyone for the help. the link mentioned earlier was useful too.
so what Im gathering is, basically if everything is grounded without being joined with another wire and each gauge goes directly to a ground it will eliminate all the voltage resistance built up from what you guys are calling "daisy chains" behind the dash? let me know if Im on the right track. I ran the boat again today and the voltage meter did not go above 12v but it was consistent and did not decrease either, that tells me that its not the alternator or the battery anymore. i think the reason i am seeing -12v on the gauge is because of the wiring like others have said. if i were to replace any wires if i find any that need it what size wire gauge should i get? thanks again. -easy c |
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Bri892001
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Joined: September-27-2008 Location: Boston MA Status: Offline Points: 4947 |
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Posted: September-15-2011 at 5:33pm |
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I used 10 gauge. Wiring is kind of like shotgun shells where the smaller the number the fatter the wiring actually is. 10 is about is thick as you can go without needing special crimp connectors, plus you've got to be able to maneuver it.
If you have time/desire, going the extra step of adding a bus bar if your boat doesn't already have something like that. Here's how I added my extra dash ground: http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21901 |
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C-Bass wrote: