Mark Hofman
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2001
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Was out on Lake of the Ozarks last week crappie fishing. Coming back to the dock for lunch, I got an infrequent alarm (high pitched beeping, short and sporadic) from my voltage gauge. I noticed at 4,600 rpms it was reading a shade over 14 volts - call it 14.2.
At the dock I rechecked and tightened the terminal bolts (wing nuts). No beeping after lunch, but the meter was still reading 14 even. At idle it would start around 12.4 but creep up to 14 in about twenty seconds. At 1,000 rpms it would still read 14 even.
Here are my thoughts for causes and corrective actions:
1. Dying cranking battery - load test it first and replace if it fails.
2. Dirty battery connectors and terminals - clean, coat with dielectric grease and reconnect.
3. Voltage regulator/s - inspect for discoloration, scorching, etc. and replace if damaged.
4. This is normal and it's only because I've not had the boat out in a while that I'm overly concerned by an unfamiliar sight - relax and enjoy the fishing.
What am I missing and what would you recommend?
At the dock I rechecked and tightened the terminal bolts (wing nuts). No beeping after lunch, but the meter was still reading 14 even. At idle it would start around 12.4 but creep up to 14 in about twenty seconds. At 1,000 rpms it would still read 14 even.
Here are my thoughts for causes and corrective actions:
1. Dying cranking battery - load test it first and replace if it fails.
2. Dirty battery connectors and terminals - clean, coat with dielectric grease and reconnect.
3. Voltage regulator/s - inspect for discoloration, scorching, etc. and replace if damaged.
4. This is normal and it's only because I've not had the boat out in a while that I'm overly concerned by an unfamiliar sight - relax and enjoy the fishing.
What am I missing and what would you recommend?