Charging rate

[amoreau]

Hi,  I went brain dead today and need an answer that I already should know.  I noticed my gauge for charging with the engine running full rpms is reading about 16.  I know my batteries were charged when I left the slip.  Does this mean something needs replacing?

[Ray & Sandy Erps]

Is that 16 volts on the volt meter, or 16 amps on an amp meter?  If it's 16 volts, that's high but before changing things I would confirm it with a separte voltage tester on the batteries while the engine is running.  Might be a funny volt meter rather than an "outta wack" voltage regulator.

[Ron Hill]

Al : Rule of thumb - anytime you see the battery/s charging much over 14.1 volts for more than an hour, you've probably have a problem.  You'll  need to take that reading at the battery terminals.  Could be a bad voltage regulator or a shorted cell, but you need to check.  

[amoreau]

Thanks,  I'll hook up a voltmeter at the other end and see what's going on.  Take care.