Most outboard engines run a regulated/rectifier charging system. That is unless there is an issue with the stator or alternator. Engine is hard to start especially after sitting from a run. Request The Next Technician's Tuesday Video Topic. The voltage regulator is strictly used to regulate the voltage of the outboard. Most manufacturers will include a wiring diagram to make the process smoother for you as well! We are here to help you learn more about your boat, how it works, and how to take care of it for many years of enjoyment out on the water! Probably not. voltage supplied from either the flywheel and the stator or the alternator. The regulator rectifier could also fail if the system overheats, as discussed earlier. I bought a used 1997 Starcraft Stardeck pontoon with a 1996 40hp Mariner Magnum outboard motor. Low voltage can put the motor into RPM reduction mode. You will need to test the stator and we’ll cover that in a second. Will determine how the regulator rectifier is tested using the diode feature on your meter. If the stator is covered in salt and corrosion. In comparison, the rectifier is responsible to convert AC power to DC. Either way, running your outboard without the voltage regulator at high RPMs can cause the stator to fry, leading you to more trouble down the road. Symptoms of a Bad Voltage Regulator. So, how to know if regulator rectifier is bad? A malfunctioning or dead power pack can cause your Johnson outboard to have problems at start up. 1. How To Fix It! As well as running too hot. Turn your multi-meter onto the diode function. Next, you want to connect the leads to the battery, while it’s running. Will use a stator that has different parts to it. lose a coil and you lose one bank of cylinder spark. To help you learn more and more about your boat and how it works! Symptoms of Bad Rectifier on Outboard Motor So, how can you tell if the regulator rectifier is bad before testing it? That makeup is what creates the spark for the engine to run. How Long Do Boat Batteries Last? The regulator keeps the voltage coming out of it to a specific amount, which will protect the boats batteries from that damage that overcharging can cause.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bornagainboating_com-medrectangle-4-0')}; Seeing that the alternator or stator will produce up to 26 VDC or even more sometimes! Services You can tell the stator is bad, based on the symptoms of the engine. Depending on the location of the regulator rectifier, the part can easily overheat. It's my opinion that this points to a bad alternator, not a bad voltage regulator like I originally thought. Since boats use DC power opposed to AC power that you will find in your home. I am working on a 2005 Mercury 50hp 2-stroke Outboard Motor. Print this page; Share this page; Ad. What does that mean for your customer? While the Chrysler/Force battery ignitions are similar to OMC's, care must be taken with regards to the color codes of the wires. And others will have straight continuity between the wires. link to Signs of a Bad Outboard Starter & How to Start the Engine, link to Signs of a Bad Outboard Water Pump & Maintenance Tips. P art is no longer available. ?if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bornagainboating_com-leader-2-0')}; Brian Jones has spent most of his career as an ASE Certified Master Tech. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. We’d also like to invite you to check us out on Our YouTube Channel! So it all depends on your engine and what kind of system it uses! Or short out. Be sure … With the engine running, the rectifier should be sending approx. This malfunction causes the regulator to burn out because of intense heat buildup. Why Won’t My Outboard Boat Engine Turn Over!? When I turn the key on, without starting the motor, and then turn it to the off position the tach will go to 0. We hope this article has helped you out in figuring out if your regulator rectifier is operating correctly and what it does! How Many Batteries Should I Have On My Boat? Because of where the voltage regulator is located on the outboard ignition system, it endures a lot of abuse. But the replacement of this part is relatively easy and usually doesn’t require any special tools at all! Connect the negative lead to the stator input. However, it might be running down the battery, allowing it to quit once the battery runs out of a charge. Im wondering if that could make me lose spark and cause the bike to miss. if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bornagainboating_com-medrectangle-3-0')}; This AC electricity is used by the engine to run all of the ignition components of the engine. In general, there are two primary ways that the regulator rectifier can fail. Get Your Own Born Again Boating Apparel! Yet, this vital... Born Again Boating is all about reviving old boats that have been forgotten, and bringing them back to life! Signs of a Bad Outboard Starter & How to Start the Engine. And take the positive meter lead and check for a short to ground at each and every wire that is coming out of the stator. While there are other smaller outboards that will definitely not run without it. First, the diode can burnout and cause the battery to drain. SPECS AND TROUBLESHOOTING SEQUENCE FOR OUTBOARD IGNITION. So, how can you tell if the regulator rectifier is bad before testing it? If the air-cooled regulator goes bad, it might be due to a lack of air flow. Posted by Anonymous on Sep 12, 2012. We encourage you to stop by our YouTube channel for more guidance and practical tips!if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bornagainboating_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0')}; Plus, browse our helpful blog articles for additional information about your boat and the engine.Do Outboards Have Alternators & Charge Batteries?How Many Batteries Should I Have On My Boat?Why Won’t My Outboard Boat Engine Turn Over! Visually Check the Stator, Trigger, Rectifier/Regulator and Flywheel: Cracks, burned areas and bubbles in or on the components indicate a problem. Weak orange or yellow spark. I will then check the rectifier with an ohm meter and find that one of the circuits is burned. We create all kinds of how-to and DIY videos. Just Click Here! Low voltage symptoms are weak fire or erratic firing of cylinders. The first deals with diode burnout, resulting in battery drain. This water cooling can take it’s own toll on the component, if you are running in harsh warm saltwater opposed to cold clean freshwater. First, connect the positive lead to the negative diode, with the negative lead to the stator input. Most common signs of a bad coil are when the housing is cracked or allows leakage around the plug wire. Thanks for reading and we look forward to reading your responses and comments.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bornagainboating_com-leader-2-0')}; Aaron has been working in the Marine Industry for over a decade and holds certifications for Yamaha and Mercury Marine. Take 30 seconds to create a completely free profile, which will allow you to: Add your own stories and characters ; … What you will do, is find the plug that goes to the stator. The CDI putting the motor into RPM reduction mode should have no effect on the tachometer reading. Though it won’t be a clear and cut situation. Warning: Battery reversal will cause severe damage to the CD units and to the rectifier. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. How Outboards Charge The Boats Batteries By Either A Stator or An Alternator. Do you love movies? The best place to start is to look at the diagram that comes with your new parts or look at the existing setup to replicate it. 13 to 13.5 v. If voltage isn't coming up, it probably is bad. Engine fails to run and has no spark. As we said earlier. Written By . I took the motor … Additionally, having an excessively low or bad battery can also lead to an overheated or burnt-out regulator. But, in the general sense, there are some tests that you can do on almost any stator and tell a lot of whether it has failed or not. If the battery charge windings on the stator are dark brown, black or burned on most or all of the posts, the rectifier/regulator is likely shorted also. Spark plugs keep getting richer/darker as the day goes on indicating weakening spark. First, connect the positive lead to the negative diode, with the negative lead to the stator input. But you will need to have a digital voltage adapter to test this to keep the fuses in your meter from blowing. 2. For the low cost of a new rectifier, it doesn’t make sense to operate the outboard without it.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bornagainboating_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0')}; So what do you do when the time comes to install a new regulator rectifier? If you have wing nuts on the terminals, replace them with a couple of elastic self-locking nuts. No, other smaller outboards will not run with a bad stator. Why Does My Boat Battery Keep Dying? Where it is not producing voltage, but we cover that material more in our article about whether the engine will run with a bad stator or not here.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bornagainboating_com-medrectangle-3-0')}; Typically, the output should measure about 13.6-14.3 volts. Here are some other articles that you will find extremely helpful and informational! Whereas larger engines, that have 4, 6, or 8 cylinders. Despite the low voltage reading the charging system must have been working to some degree, since we were never stranded with a dead battery. Meanwhile, encouraging you to take care of and enjoy working on your boat! It means expensive electrical components on their boat … You shouldn’t see a reading of more than 14.3 volts or below 13.5 volts. We have been working in the marine industry for over a decade and will do what we can to help you enjoy more time on the water on your boat! If the battery leads to a faulty regulator rectifier, this is easy to determine. You might also notice the accessories running sporadically as the additional voltage is causing trouble. harsh warm saltwater opposed to cold clean freshwater. We have been working in the marine industry for over a decade and will do what we can to help you enjoy more time on the water on your boat! And then it regulates it to the appropriate amount. You can know you have a bad stator by looking at it. The number one test is to ground it out. Without the correct voltage, your outboards starter motor may not be able to crank the flywheel fast enough to activate your ignition system. Making sure that your outboard is running and reliable. Rectifiers also convert tachometer output from the stator, allowing the tachometer to receive the appropriate pulse type and display the motor RPM. Will determine how the regulator rectifier is tested using the diode feature on your meter. Acting as a switch to deliver a high current from the […] You will need to test the stator and we’ll cover that in a second. Then you know that the stator is shorted to ground and you will need to replace the stator.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bornagainboating_com-leader-1-0')}; Then, on other stators, you can check the resistance between the wires coming out of the stator. As to... Signs of a Bad Outboard Water Pump & Maintenance Tips. And go by the specs found in the book to test the stator. Ignition Switch. Now that you know all about them! Low voltage symptoms are weak fire or weak erratic firing of cylinders. This indicates that the rectifier has failed to convert excess power appropriately. Then disconnect it. With that disconnected. So be sure to test your engine’s stator based on the service manual specs and tests! If you’ve got any questions or comments, let us know by subscribing to our YouTube Channel!if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bornagainboating_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0')}; And if you would like to support us to continue bringing you great content, please click the link below to Amazon where we get a commission from anything you are already going to buy! This happens as the voltage increases in the battery it heaps up, increasing the resistance which regulates the charge. Your outboard motor contains a lot of parts on it, some you probably understand and many you might not. Want Answer 0. The power pack supplies voltage to the ignition system's power coils. Just like before, there should be no reading on your meter. First, if a The regulator rectifier is in charge of not only regulating the voltage produced by the alternator or stator, but it also rectifies the voltage by converting the AC power to the appropriate amount of DC power.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bornagainboating_com-box-3-0')}; In this post, we will look closer at what the outboard rectifier does, what happens when this part goes bad and how to troubleshoot issues that may arise with it! Have you ever stopped and wondered what the regulator rectifier is in charge of? When the battery causes the problem, you will struggle with poor starting, accessories malfunctioning and fluctuating meter readings. Outboard motor coils are many times replaced unnecessarily. Request The Next Technician's Tuesday Video Topic! Poor grounds, poor wiring, poor connections, etc. To activate your engine and crank it over you need a switch. Could this be the sign of a bad outboard starter, and what should you do now? Signs of a Bad Outboard Starter & How to Start the Engine. Comment; Flag; More . If any of the above symptoms are evident, toss it: EVEN IF THE ELECTRICAL VALUES ARE CORRECT, it's toast. Meaning, that one winding will produce the electricity that is used for one, two, or three different cylinders! Back to those 13.5-14.3 VDC readings. For a more in-depth description of how an engine works. Also be sure the battery terminals are CLEAN and TIGHT. A bad stator can have all kinds of funny, hard to trace symptoms. You can tell the stator is bad, based on the symptoms of the engine. We’d recommend reading this article here on How Outboards Charge The Boats Batteries By Either A Stator or An Alternator. Will An Outboard Run With A Bad Stator? This has happened two times. WARNING!! if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bornagainboating_com-medrectangle-4-0')}; Smaller outboards that only have one, or two cylinders. Get Your Own Born Again Boating Apparel! When it comes to testing the stator. myCast is the place for you! This is why it is important for you to find the service manual for the specific engine you are trying to test the stator on. Low voltage can result from many things. Why Won’t My Outboard Boat Engine Turn Over!? However, this is not the case if you are using a two-stage stator. They charge your vessel's battery(s). Be careful not to cut any wires that can be re-used with the new setup. Read our article teaching you What Is A Powerhead & How It Works! Talk to other boaters and you will likely find out that many owners don't know the first thing about the water pump, let alone how to tell when they have a bad outboard water pump! Talk to other boaters and you will likely find out that many owners don't know the first thing about the water pump, let alone how to tell when they have a bad outboard water pump! While these symptoms are generally clear-cut, we still recommend using our testing method above to ensure your problem is the regulator. You got the boat packed with your gear and your best friends. (click picture) If your Mfgr. Then you could almost bet that it is bad.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bornagainboating_com-banner-1-0')}; Before condemning it though, you want to perform some tests to be exactly sure that the stator has failed. Outboard Motors Electrical Troubleshooting Guides . symptoms of a bad rectifier on outboard. Then you could almost bet that it is bad. As the magnets on the flywheel spin around the windings when the engine is running. Making the engine run very poorly. I tested the regulator/rectifier and I dont think it tested right. Then connect the negative meter lead to any engine ground that is on the block. Ground connections are important for good voltage, and if there is faulty voltage, the regulator rectifier can run hot.Bad grounding, corroded battery connection and poor or loose battery connections will cause faulty voltage.. Secondly, will a bad rectifier drain battery?