Engine alarm won't stop

[Great lakes pirate]

After a great day anchored with friends this weekend we decided to head back to the main land for some grub. I fired up the engines and let them warm up while we untied our friends. I bumped an engine in FWD to get some slack in the anchor line. As soon as I pressed the windless up button my alarm started to go off. I looked at the starbord engine volt meter and it read 11V. I must add that this gauge always reads about 11V and all along I thought the gauge was just bad because I load tested the batteries this spring and they read good. I checked the lube monitor and the water temp and oil pressure all looked good so I limped her back to port. On our way home I kept an eye on the volt meter and noticed it kept dropping and dropping.

I am pretty sure that I gave the batteries a decent workout but nothing that would toast it.

Do these engines sound an alarm for low voltage?

I checked the water levels and they were right to the top.

Does this sound like I need a new alternator? I might be way off and this might not even be an electrical problem.

 

[juma]

Hi I had the same problem,after a lot of feedback with many mechanics who told me there was not a problem with my charging sistem,I replace both alternators at my own risk.the problem was resolve.alarms won't go off,and the volt meters are 13.5 or better
















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[nigel]

Hi Juma,

This is interesting and might help explain an issue I'm having with overheat alarms that I can't trace - but suspect its electrical/an earthing issue somewhere. Why did you suspect your alternators were faulty? What were the symptoms?

Nigel.

 

[juma]

Hi ,since the engine have computers ,I suspect that after a full day in the water the batteries were drain,the electrical system was compromise. I was seen the volt meter with a 12v reading.I decide to buy the new alternators,after replacing everything work as new.(BEST MONEY SPEND)

 

[juma]

P.S. no symptoms only the alarms driving me crazy

 

[Great lakes pirate]

I replaced the batteries over the weekend. Let them sit on the charger for a few hours and then took a boat ride to dinner. The alarm never came on but the voltage gauge was still reading 11V when the boat was running. When plugged in to shore power the gauge reads 12-13V. I am starting to think my alternater might be shot. I put a volt meter on the back of the alternators and read 12V one engine and 13V on the other. What voltage should the alternator be putting out?

I was told that my voltage regulator is inside the alternator.

Today we were on the anchor for a few hours and when I fired up the boat the alarm went off for a couple of seconds when I used the windless to pull the anchor up. Volt meter on starbord engine (powers the windless) read 11V.

 

[fc3]

It's the alternators. There's a process to determine if the regulator, the rectifiers or the brushes are defective, but I'm guessing you're not the type to tear down an alternator and replace internal parts.

If the boat has a cross-over charging system, mine does, then it could be the isolator. The isolator might look something like the gold anodized part on the right. The two circuit breakers on the left replace the stupid in-line fuses Sea Ray installed for the battery charger. Not a cool mod, but it's easier to reset a breaker than replace a fuse, especially when traveling by boat, and you don't have the fuse.

 

[Bill Z]

Had the same issue last season. Replace the alternator.

 

[Great lakes pirate]

FC3, I would like to tear down the alternator and replace the problem parts. What is the process if you dont mind?