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Alternator or Battery


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'04 VLX

Been having some issues with the battery charging while boat is running. Assumed alternator issue but not so sure anymore. Details of what "testing" I have done (with boat running):

Battery Select Switch to "1" - Voltage on Battery 1 - 12.1 volts

- Voltage on Battery 2 - 11.9 volts

Battery Select Switch to "2" - Voltage on Battery 2 - 12.1 volts

- Voltage on Battery 1 - 11.9 volts

Battery Select Switch to "All" - Both batteries voltage - 12.1 volts

Alternator volts is about 11.5 volts (doesn't change with rpm change).

Connections at battery are all tight, no visible issues there. Batteries will trickle charge up to about 12.7 volts and seem to maintain their charge while not in use. So I don't think they are the problem.

Connections at alternator are oxidized/corroded a bit, thinking that's my issue but doesn't make sense why voltage would go up at battery if alternator isn't putting out a voltage higher than the battery.

Electricity is magic to me, it hurts my brain trying to figure it out and does miracles.

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Pull your alternator and take it to an auto parts store (any major chain) they will test it for free. At a bear minimum you connections can and will cause a voltage drop. Any resistance AKA corrosion will do this. As mentioned above 14vdc +-0.5 is what you are looking for from your alternator

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How are you measuring the voltage? Use a good multimeter at the battery terminals while the engine is running. If it still reads low then it's probably the alternator. My factory in dash digital volt meter was wired to a regulated power wire from one of the controllers and never read accurate. I rewired the positive lead to the ignition switch and now it reads accurately.

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