17 Volts, why, why, why

[Rojo]

No Regulator here is the link to the electrical parts.

Just a moment...

[Rojo]

Link to entire parts lists

Just a moment...

[Slab]

No Regulator here is the link to the electrical parts.

Just a moment...

See, what the heck, no regulator. Well then what the heck is regulating the voltages! Battery! Huh, how's that happen. Maybe all I need is one of them there universal regulator jobs! Dono

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[Slab]

Force 125hp Charging Battery at 16 volts !! | Boating Forum - iboats Boating Forums

Looks like your model may not have a regulator, only a rectifier (changes the A/C to DC). You may need to buy a later model rectifier/regulator assy and wire it in to control the issue. See the link for explanation.

Chris

Nckenners link is awesome. I think you may just be the winner. Tanks

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[Atimm693]

Yes, many outboards of that vintage did not have a regulated charging system. They charge continuously and once the battery is topped up, you may see voltage increase. The solution back then was to simply keep an eye on the battery electrolyte and let it soak up the abuse, but with modern electronics that's no longer the best idea.

CDI has some retrofit regulators for Merc and OMC, but I am not sure about Force. Mercury and Force were in bed together so maybe they use the same electronics.

I had an 84 60hp Merc that would do the same thing, I purchased a CDI retrofit regulator which worked okay, but would get hot during longer trips and do the same thing as the old one. The permanent fix was to extend the wires to the bilge and mount it to an aluminum heatsink. Not my preferred fix but it did work.

[Barnacle Bill]

Yes, many outboards of that vintage did not have a regulated charging system. They charge continuously and once the battery is topped up, you may see voltage increase. The solution back then was to simply keep an eye on the battery electrolyte and let it soak up the abuse, but with modern electronics that's no longer the best idea.

CDI has some retrofit regulators for Merc and OMC, but I am not sure about Force. Mercury and Force were in bed together so maybe they use the same electronics.

I had an 84 60hp Merc that would do the same thing, I purchased a CDI retrofit regulator which worked okay, but would get hot during longer trips and do the same thing as the old one. The permanent fix was to extend the wires to the bilge and mount it to an aluminum heatsink. Not my preferred fix but it did work.

Force motors are like jeeps. Several different brands made them over the years. Older Mercs used that same rectifier.

[Slab]

Lectric is lectric, I'm gonna look for a large heat sink 4 wire Regulator/Rectifier and try that. The battery is less than a year old and a large group 27. Not that it still could not be the issue but I think an actual voltage regulator would be a good thing in any case.

Atimm693 mentioned that once charged these old systems volts increase, so maybe that explains why it's good 14 sometimes and 17 other times.

Tanks all, I'll report back once I get one installed.

["D"]

It has worked since 1985. Quit wishing issues on it and go fishing.

[Slab]

It has worked since 1985. Quit wishing issues on it and go fishing.

But I like to tinker. What else would I be doing with all my free time. I just wanna make it more better. Here, hold my beer.

[UpstateSC_Bill]

But I like to tinker. What else would I be doing with all my free time

Uuuuuh fishing??????