17 Volts, why, why, why

[Rojo]

That looks like a bridge rectifier to me. not a regulator.

You beat me to it, just a bridge right?

[Rojo]

Slab voltage regulators are usually cooled with water on their backsides. Generally a stator has charging coils for the CDI and a lighting coil or two for battery charging. Follow those wires off the stator that don't go to the CDI, they should go to the regulator. AC current is what's generated so the bridge is needed if the voltage regulator doesn't have built in. I'm kinda a snob on what I will work on so if it didn't say OMC or Yamaha I never touched it. If someone doesn't help you here I will look it up.

[Chuck Adams]

I think it’s the battery but who knows.
Hard to diagnose without putting my hands on it.
Some older engines use the battery as the regulator. And as mentioned before the rectifier is water cooled.



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[Chuck Adams]

You are correct, what do I know, regulator rectifier, ain't they the same thing, I dono!

CDI Electronics 152-9209 Chrysler/Force/Sears/Gamefinder Universal Rectifier - 2/3/4 Cyl (1975-1992)


I think the cables are good, I can double check. And the battery I think is fine, I can double check that too, but it says just over 12 volts when charged, so wouldn't it be less than 12 with a dead cell?

Not unless you put it under a load.


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[Barnacle Bill]

That looks like a bridge rectifier to me. not a regulator.

It is a rectifier for sure. I can send you the directions for testing it but you will need an analog meter to test it. Just a cheap one will do.

[Slab]

I'll check the voltage at the battery when it does the 17 volts again. I'll also use a load tester on the battery. It's a newer battery and a larger one at that, so I'm hoping it's fine. Starts the boat fine. dono

[Slab]

Hmm. They make universal rectifiers with built in regulators. Wonder if I can try one of those. Anyway, I'll run the tests tomorrow and go from there.

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[Rojo]

Generally battery charging voltages for AGM batteries (higher charge voltage) is less than 15 volts. 14.6-14.8VDC. Wet cell batteries are less. What is the Model number of your engine. If you can post the HP and year in the same post it makes it easier to do the parts search.

[BabyFinster]

I have found when restoring older cars, if you have bad grounds or corroded connections, you can have erratic voltage spikes and drops. I know it has been said before, but I would like to reiterate that you need to check your wiring for continuity while moving it around and check to make sure wires have not become corroded or broken in your electrical circuit. Especially when dealing with an engine of this age. I spent three days and $175. I didn’t need to spend on a Ultrex that I thought had a control panel problem and then in the end it had a bad jumper battery wire between the two batteries making the required 24. Volts. A seven dollar fix Saved me a whole Lotta heartache.


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[Slab]

Generally battery charging voltages for AGM batteries (higher charge voltage) is less than 15 volts. 14.6-14.8VDC. Wet cell batteries are less. What is the Model number of your engine. If you can post the HP and year in the same post it makes it easier to do the parts search.

1987 85hp force model 856x7a

Let me run the tests I mention tomorrow though before doing too much researching effort just yet. Thanks all

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