Max Simmons
Guru
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2007
- Messages
- 822
- Vessel Make
- Ocean Alexander 38'
Headed out this morning for what was to be 5 days out on the hook. Leaving the marina, we turned on the inverter to keep the fridge running and charge a laptop. Inverter did not come on and the panel indicated "Fault". Voltage issue was indicated. At the DC panel, the voltmeter was showing 16 volts. I took the multimeter down and checked at the alternators. Port showed 16 Amps, Starboard shows 12.2 Amps.
Port alternator charges the house battery, which is what the inverter runs off of.
I shut down the Port engine and read DC panel with only Starboard engine running, voltmeter shows a little over 12V.
Shut down Starboard and run Port only, DC panel shows 16 volt.
I figure that the Port alternator is toast so return to port, pull alternator and take it to the local shop for testing. They put it on the tester and run it through the paces and say it's fine. Suggest that I check the sense wire to see if it is showing a drop in voltage. I went back, reinstalled the alternator and checked the sense wire, it shows 12.1 volt, while the output continues to show 16 volts.
Right now I'm questioning the shops testing. They said that it was showing 14 volts that was good.
Maybe voltage regulator is bad? I plan on taking it for another test tomorrow. I'd just replace it regardless, but not sure if I can find one around Seattle on a Saturday for a Perkins.
Another strange thing I can't explain, the gauge on the dash shows for Port engine shows 12 volts when running, but the DC panel shows 16. Still trying to figure out that one.
Port alternator charges the house battery, which is what the inverter runs off of.
I shut down the Port engine and read DC panel with only Starboard engine running, voltmeter shows a little over 12V.
Shut down Starboard and run Port only, DC panel shows 16 volt.
I figure that the Port alternator is toast so return to port, pull alternator and take it to the local shop for testing. They put it on the tester and run it through the paces and say it's fine. Suggest that I check the sense wire to see if it is showing a drop in voltage. I went back, reinstalled the alternator and checked the sense wire, it shows 12.1 volt, while the output continues to show 16 volts.
Right now I'm questioning the shops testing. They said that it was showing 14 volts that was good.
Maybe voltage regulator is bad? I plan on taking it for another test tomorrow. I'd just replace it regardless, but not sure if I can find one around Seattle on a Saturday for a Perkins.
Another strange thing I can't explain, the gauge on the dash shows for Port engine shows 12 volts when running, but the DC panel shows 16. Still trying to figure out that one.