Mariner 60 efi charging gremlins

[boyscott]

I have a 2-battery system controlled by a Make-before break 4-way switch (1,2,Both, Off)

Both batteries in good health

[Rob]

 

I had low voltage with engine running - it basically was as if there was no charge.

 

I investigated the regulator etc and that seemed to be at fault - not putting out enough.

 

But before I bit the expensive bullet of buying one, I stole my wifes car battery - hey presto - all worked correctly.

 

Get you battery to Halfords and let them put their tester on it, just measuring voltage does not put the battery under load as the tester they use in Halfords will do.

 

It was a fault with the battery, though looked like it was the regulator \ lighting coil!

 

Easy fix and has been 100% ever since. I opted for a semi-traction battery that seems good for cranking\starting and good for running elcetronics as i don't have the need \ space for 2 batteries.

 

HTH

 

Rob

[Brian]

I don't see how an "Intellegent switch" would solve it, as the problem is there when running on one battery.

I assume the same fault occurs when switched to either battery.

Connect one of the batteries direct, bypassing the Battery switch, I suspect it's a fault in the switch.

 

I've had the same set up as you on my previous boats and never had any charging problems, I used to start on Bat1 run for awhile to put back what was drawn by starting and then switch to Both. When I stopped to fish, I'd switch to Bat2. Next trip out I'd start on Bat2, run on both and switch to Bat1 when stopped. This way both batteries got the same treatment.

Edited November 16, 2010 by Brian

[fisherman1055]

If you get problems with starting the engine as well check that nice thick red wire attached to your battery

 

They can corrode easily and you end up with a pile of green dust when you investigate

 

always worth checking when a problem with electrics starts

 

Tony

[Paul D]

1) See if low voltage is reported when switched to battery 1 and then see if same problem occurs when switched to battery 2. If occurs on both then unlikely to be a battery problem. ( unless you r unlucky and two duff batteries )

 

2) Check lead from engine to the battery 1-2-both switch ( ie. connection )

 

I suspect that one of your batteries is faulty as voltage when charging should be 13.8 + I think. or could be the regulator .

 

If you have power tilt you will be able to tell which one is not so good ( on Neo one battery is starting to fail to charge and I can tell this by the effort to tilt the engine. It does it slower )

[boyscott]

Thanks for all the hints guys. I went down to the boat today and did some systematic fault diagnosis.

 

First checked the problem was still there without changing anything - it was.

Next removed the switch from the circuit and reconnected battery 1 direct to the engine and electrics harness - it started ok but sure enough after a few minutes of running on tickover the charge rate dropped quickly to 12.3 which triggers the low battery alarm on the fishfinder - revved the engine in neutral which pulled the charge rate upto about 13.5 momentarily but it quickly dropped back to 12.x and falling - so probably not the switch but could be a fault in either battery 1 or engine charger...

Repeated the above with battery 2 and same result so concluded its the engine as unlikely both batteries are duff (unless the engine charger has somehow damaged them?).

I'm pretty sure its the engine now and will go back to the engineer on Monday to try to convince him.

 

Thanks again

Max