15 volts

I took the boat out this weekend. It hasn't seen much use and has been sitting on the charger in the garage for the last 2 months. Im guessing it got a real good slow charge and the batterys were real full so the alternator didn't have to do any real work. The result High Voltage. I took the boat out this weeknd and was blazing around the lake dusting the cop webs off. I was pounding the stereo and looked down to see 15 volts. I was like damm! Im ideling, the stereo is pounding and I have 15 volt's. Just thought I would take a photo of the volt meter LOL. When I pushed the button to see what kind of amp's the alternator was pushing it was only pushing 23 amp's. I know this is not a big deal to alot of people. If you have ever tryed building a HO charging system you know that getting to get your system to push 1 more volt is a big deal.

Dizzam!!

Batt Tenders again?

G, you're thoroughly obsessed with charging systems.

Nacho: I have been using the 30 Amp West Marine smart charger its much faster than the Bat Tenders. It has been working good
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/232563/377%20710%201646/0/Chargers%20/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/10/0?N=377%20710%201646&Ne=0&Ntt=Chargers%20&Ntx=mode %20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLT okenURL=true&storeNum=5002&subdeptNum=9&classNum=6 83
The only thing I don't like about it is!
You have to set it Each and Every time you disconnect it. Its only a matter of pushing 3 buttons but when you have to do it over and over each time you connect and disconect it gets old.
I know they have on board chargers that keep your charge parimiter's so you don't have to set it each time.

I guess a good thing is the charger has 3 charge settings 2, 10, and 30 amp depending on when you want your batterys ready for use.
Example if your putting the boat away for the weekend 2 amp works great. A long slow charge. Or if you wanna go back out the next day 30 Amp works great.

Where is that reading being taken from?

The Xantrex Link 10 Voltmeter is hooked up to a Power distribution block at the front of the boat where all the battery connections start.

Its a cool little Voltmeter/Amp gauge and Battery gauge. There is shunt at the front of the boat where all the grounds for the boat come and go.

You sure that voltmeter is calibrated?

Wow, I have never seen 15 volts. When fully charged (trickled) and just started/turned on, I might see 14.3 for about 5 minutes at most , that's impressive. G-your voltmeter has the option to show alternator amps also?

G what batteries are you using in your system?

Better question, which lake? If Tulloch how high is the water and where did you put in?

T

John: I check calibration when I first installed it a few years back. I don't think it needs to be re calibrated or is outa whack.

Benny. Yea The LINK 10 is like a Fuel gauge for your batterys. The thing is super cool. You can see what kind of current AMPS your pulling and then you can see at that rate of discharge how long your batterys can last.
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/327807.html

Nu: Im using the Sea Volt AGM batterys. I have "5" 92 Amp AGM Batterys.
Trevor: I put in and took out at the Conner ramp. Next to drifters marina. No problem at all. Your launching on crushed rock but its smooth.

Grant:

You sound like you are happy you are getting 15 volts. You shouldn't be!

If you are getting 15 volts and the alternator is putting out 20+ amps then it is a clear indication that the voltage regulator is not doing its thing properly.

At 15 volts any light bulbs will have a significantly shortened life span. Your batteries are going to overcharge and could be damaged.

If I was you I would look into what is going wrong!

Rod

Rod: It didn't stay there for long. That's why I took a picture. Typically my system is at 14+ volt's under idle. Its not un common for me to see 14.6 14.7 or 14.8 Volts. All with in normal range. I will keep a eye on it. I don't think there is any problem. IMO your alternator does 2 things but not at the same time. Either its putting out a bunch of voltage and no amp's or lots of Amperage and little voltage. My digital voltage regulator ramp's up and down the charge all over the place. Depending on the state of charge with the batterys and the tempature (I have a temp sensor on my batterys) the digital voltage regulator keeps tab's on the voltage and amp's.

My charging system is the BOMB. 3 Years of beating it up and not 1 problem. Knocking on wood!

What are the bling gauges for?

to see if he has got bling or not. also im calling the cops that boat is juicing. first barry bonds and the rest of the mlb. now it has carried over to boats. whats this world comming to...

Bling gauges are for ballast tanks that no longer exist in the Bling Bling. He was just showing you his 14.3 volt reading in that pic.

I know what the pic was aimed at, I just couldn't get past the bling gauges....

I noticed those too, awesome...

^^^bling gauges
thats the coolest sh*t ever
how'd ya do it?

By Phatboypimp (phatboypimp) on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 9:52 am:

Bling gauges are for ballast tanks that no longer exist in the Bling Bling. He was just showing you his 14.3 volt reading in that pic.




does that mean they are up for sale?

Sorry for the confusion, I was just giving G a bad time. He had those gauges custom made, but they are not for sale.

Yea the Bling Bling gauge's "WERE" for my ballast. I took out my ballast system and replaced it with Batterys. I had a friend at a graphics company re make the gauge faces. The light up just like stock. The letters are white by day but turn red at night.
Yea Ill sell them to you. e-Mail me