engine not charging

[Big Will]

Any experience with engine not charging the battery?

I’m experiencing it now. I’m sure its not charging as my GPS has a Volts meter built in and 11.1 V is not a good amount. It used to show over 12 V. I changed out the battery and all it did was go down from the level it was at.

I think my rectifier may be blown but I’m not sure. Take a look at this picture and tell me what you think. I never noticed the dark area before, but I never looked before either. Most sources say that a bad charge coil is a rare occurrence?

Oh well its been a good run 1997-2008. Maybe I can start working on that new E-tec.*008*

[Shakespeare]

What picture? *006*

[Big Will]

Opps, sorry about that

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q246/BiggWilll/08Engine006.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q246/BiggWilll/08Engine002.jpg

[bobreeves]

Definitely looks like it's been overheated. I think you're on track. Unfortunately, it appears that it's a 'module', so individual component replacement is probably not an option (like replacing a single resistor or diode), and because it's "marine" it will cost 3 times what it should. My Yammy didn't even have one, and I purchased an aftermarket one for it for about $100. Yamaha wanted 2-3 times that for their own. It's been working fine for several months now.

[Big Will]

Yeah I've checked and I think about a buck 50 is what mine is costing.

I think I blew it out with a new battery charger I got for Christmas. That or it just gave out...

Probably caused by the new charger though. Even if it wasn't you can bet I'll disconnect the battery the next time I charge it with the charger. And, no a low battery isn't the reason I hooked up the charger to start with. I just remember hooking the darn thing up to try it.*004*

[bobreeves]

If I'm not mistaken, this is a rectifier / regulator. I bought mine at boatfix.com and it was $95 + shipping.

[Cathooker]

I am an industrial electrical technician / contractor and I can tell ya, by the looks of it, that electronic board is fried. It looks as if it had either a voltage spike that it could not handle or a direct short to ground. In some rectifiers if your cross polarity for just an instant the electronic board is fried. In some cases a small electronic component will simply fail with no outside influence. When this happens you generally do not see the type of burn pattern that is on yours.

[Big Will]

I think your right.

I've been looking at and preparing to buy a replacement.

My instinct tells me to check the harness really well looking for a short.

Other possibilities include the high amp batt charger I hooked up a while back, and the terminals being dirty could have caused the unit to over charge.

What ever it is I think its fixable...;D

[bobreeves]

What ever it is I think its fixable.

Order that regulator yet?

[bobreeves]

Will:

When you install, some - not all - use a heat sink compound between the regulator and engine block to help transfer heat. You'll be able to tell when you pull the old one - the stuff is usually like a white grease. If the grease doesn't come with the regulator (probably will not) you can pick up a small tube at anyplace that sells computer parts. Best to wipe off all you can before applying the new stuff as it tends to cake up / dry out over time - especially if it's been subjected to the kind of heat that yours has.

[Big Will]

the kind of heat that yours has

Hey, what makes you think mines been hot!!!*006*

It's a little brown I admit, but it isn't hot.

Seriously, thanks for the tip on the sink grease. I remember hearing that some place.

I really think I zapped it with the charger.

Will

P.S. No I haven't ordered it yet. Waiting to get the funds. For now it runs and I have an extra battery.