Voltage problem

[Nemo]

Chaps please help.

My fish finder comes up with a 'Battery voltage high' warning and then it will shut down.

This happens whin the boat has been running at speed for about 20 to 30 mins.

My set up is a Yamaha 50 two stroke (circa 1995ish),Garmin fishfinder,single running light,Power is provided via a 85amp leisure power battery

A friend has mentioned to me to put another light on to use some of the excess current could this be right or any bright ideas gratefully recieved.

Thanks

Graham.

[batfalcon]

I think that you have to check if this message is true or false. Use a voltmeter to check the exact battery voltage when this happens. If it's more than 13,8 Volts, then maybe the message is true. I say maybe because these instruments work fine with 10 - 24 Volts, so it should not be a problem for the device to "read" more than 13,8. Anyway if the voltage exceeds the 13,8 mark you should propably have a problem with the battery itself (it shal "boil" as the voltage is going way up). In this case you must repair (replace) the voltage regulator of the engine. In any other case consult the dealer of device and use the warranty given.

[Erin]

My Garmin plotter shows voltage and normally reads at about 14.1v when the engine is running. If you're voltage is excessive then it sounds like a regulator problem. But as batfalcon says, you need to test it with a voltmeter.

It's unlikely that a light will help matters much as it'll take a pretty hefty current drain to reduce the voltage much... something like a floodlight, as I think it would need to draw more current than the alternator can supply to drop the voltage. HTH

[Garygee]

Hi folks

13.8V is a6the max float charge for a cell, i.e. on charge all the time.

Most charging units will give around 14.0 to 14.4 volts which is fine.
If you getting upto 15.0V thats OK but a bit high, anything above 15.0V and you will start to loose water from the battery and some equipment will get unhappy.

A good test is try using it without the engine running, is it OK ?.
Start the engine and see if it complains.
If your engine starts fine, engine turns over well your battery is not likly to be below 12V, so it its OK without the engine running but not whe it is running its likly you really do have a problem.

Even better buy a multimeter, you can get one for less the 10 quid these days and measure the charge voltage.

Regards Gary

[Nemo]

I think i have solved it!

Having a poke around the engine i finaly located what i belive to be the voltage regulator. On closer inspection the insulation on one of the wires has worn through and was shorting out on the engine casing.

A bit of insulating tape later!

All now apears to be running at 14.6ish volts job done

thanks for the help!!!

Graham