Battery Charging Cicuit

How do I test to make sure that the circuit that cahrges the battery while running the engine is working properly?

My new marine starting battery (not deep cycle) went dead after my last trip to the lake. I figured that the alternator must not be charging the battery so I had the alternator rebuilt and put a new voltage regulator in while I was at it. I hooked the garden hose up, started the boat in the drive, and let it run for about half an hour but the new alternator would not charge the battery. I took the battery in and it tested good. What Gives? Was the battery too dead for the 60 amp Alternator to charge in that length of time or is the charging circuit not working properly?

Thanks for the help with this one!!!

Start the engine, and put a digital voltmeter across the battery. It should read 13.5 to 14.5 volts. If its less, its not charging. If so, check the voltage from the case of the alternator (ground) to the large stud (output +) on the back of the alternator. If its lower than 13.5 volts, then the alternator/regulator or wiring is bad.

Bhedbloom wrote: Charging problem

I had 2 problem's with my alternator, B+ (charging wire was broken), i fixed it, still not charging, kontrol lamp connected to D+ was blowen, so i changed the lamp and it went 14.4volt on B+ wire.