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Author Topic:   Is charging regulated on mid 80s OMC V4s?

bsmotril posted 10-24-2005 03:37 PM ET (US)
I've got an 86 Evinrude 90 HP V4, and I am seeing up to 16.2-16.4 volts for exteneded periods of time while running. The battery is only a month old, never been depleted, and kept on a tender when the boat is not in use. No other electrical glitches, or high current drain accessories. Just an LCD fishfinder, and small Garmin GPS. Does anyone know if the charging output on those motors is supposed to be regulated? Is 16 plus volts normal? What should I be checking?
minitauk85 posted 10-24-2005 07:51 PM ET (US)
bsmotril-read the thread from 10/4 titled "battery leaking acid"- I think you'll find it useful-k
Sheila posted 10-25-2005 04:27 AM ET (US)
We have a 1986 Johnson v-4 90 and a 1973 Johnson 65. I found that thread very instructive, Minitauk. Thanks for sharing.
jimh posted 10-25-2005 11:28 AM ET (US)
How about a URI for this interesting thread?
Sheila posted 10-25-2005 11:43 AM ET (US)
Here is the thread:
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000584.html
bsmotril posted 10-25-2005 12:11 PM ET (US)
Thank you, I remember that post, but could not find it. Thank you for the URL. Next Question: Does anyone have a pet voltage regulation circuit schematic that would take a 12-17 volt input and regulate it to say 12-13 volts, with a 1amp max current draw? Rather than regulate the total output, I would rather build simple circuit to regulate my gps and fishfinder feeds. BillS
jimh posted 10-25-2005 05:42 PM ET (US)
Get a three-terminal voltage regulator IC. Google for a schematic on Circuit Cellar or similar website. Or the application notes from the IC maker. You can build one for about $3.
Sheila posted 10-26-2005 03:45 AM ET (US)
Bill, you're welcome. I'll be following with interest your resolution to this situation.
minitauk85 posted 10-26-2005 06:08 AM ET (US)
Sheila-your welcome! I wish I could say it was "my pleasure" however this would not be honest- the diagnostic (took it to the 1st mechanic who didn't know much about this particular problem) and dropped $250 with no results. Fried my depth finder and tachometer before my second mechanic (with help) figured out the aftermarket part solution. I'm still not convinced that both tach and depth finder (Humminbird Pirhanna II) are fried. Does anyone have any advice? Mechanic says the depth finder is getting power.-k
minitauk85 posted 10-26-2005 06:10 AM ET (US)
Geez...sounds like "denial" about the tach and depth finder. What's next? anger, bargaining,heavy drinking...then winter....k
2manyboats posted 10-26-2005 08:38 AM ET (US)
The imput voltage on many marine electronics has a wide range. humminbird specs show the range for your depthfinder to be 10 to 20 volts. You didn't say what gps you have but most garmin specs show a range of 10 to 40 volts.
The manufactures do this so they don't have to make two of every model to cover the boats with 24 volt systems.
That said I don't see 16 volts hurting your electronics and given the voltage drop of dc current you most likely are get less at all your lights and other accessories.
jimh posted 10-26-2005 08:50 AM ET (US)
Back to the initial question: was the engine charging output regulated? Sound like it might not have been.
What is "the aftermarket part solution"?
minitauk85 posted 10-26-2005 05:18 PM ET (US)
Jimh-I've had a couple of folks ask me(off-site thru email) about the part my mechanic installed so I thought I'd share this info about the "after market part". The part my mechanic put on my 1988 70 hp Johnson VRO (disconnected)is called a regulator kit -the box the part came in from Bombardier/Evinrude/Johnson is part number 173640, it simply says "REG KIT V-4 V-6" in the area labeled "description". It cost $123.00 plus another $50 to install. This is a whole lot more than the $3 price you put on building a 3 terminal regulator yourself-certainly seems worth it to "do-it yourself" if it has the same outcome. As far as whether the part from Bombardier worked or not-so far I have not had a reading on my voltmeter over 14.4 although I have not been able to run the boat as much as I'd have liked to lately-k
davej14 posted 10-27-2005 03:15 PM ET (US)
If you decide to build up a three terminal regulator solution, be sure the components you use are rated for industrial temperature (-40 deg C to +85 deg C). Standard commercial temp range parts will only be within specifications from 0 deg C to 70 deg C. Also be sure to use an adequate heatsink. Be aware that the "tab" on the component is electrically "hot", so the heatsink will be also.
jimh posted 10-27-2005 10:28 PM ET (US)
If the part came in a BOMBARDIER box, it sounds like an OEM part, not an aftermarket part.
minitauk85 posted 10-28-2005 08:55 AM ET (US)
I stand corrected! I was thinking "aftermarket" meant after that particular model has been put "on the market". What does OEM stand for?-k
kingfish posted 10-28-2005 09:32 AM ET (US)
"Original Equipment Manufacturer".
lorin posted 10-31-2005 11:46 PM ET (US)
One way to definitely determine if the output is regulated is to look at a parts catalog. If it is regulated, the part will be called a rectifier/regulator. (If not it will just be called a rectifier). I used to work on these motors extensively and I'm almost postive this motor does have a rectifier/regulator. If so, it is water cooled and is located in back of the flywheel and partially under the flywheel. A service manual will tell you what the output should be.

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Author	Topic: Is charging regulated on mid 80s OMC V4s?
bsmotril	posted 10-24-2005 03:37 PM ET (US) I've got an 86 Evinrude 90 HP V4, and I am seeing up to 16.2-16.4 volts for exteneded periods of time while running. The battery is only a month old, never been depleted, and kept on a tender when the boat is not in use. No other electrical glitches, or high current drain accessories. Just an LCD fishfinder, and small Garmin GPS. Does anyone know if the charging output on those motors is supposed to be regulated? Is 16 plus volts normal? What should I be checking?
minitauk85	posted 10-24-2005 07:51 PM ET (US) bsmotril-read the thread from 10/4 titled "battery leaking acid"- I think you'll find it useful-k
Sheila	posted 10-25-2005 04:27 AM ET (US) We have a 1986 Johnson v-4 90 and a 1973 Johnson 65. I found that thread very instructive, Minitauk. Thanks for sharing.
jimh	posted 10-25-2005 11:28 AM ET (US) How about a URI for this interesting thread?
Sheila	posted 10-25-2005 11:43 AM ET (US) Here is the thread: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000584.html
bsmotril	posted 10-25-2005 12:11 PM ET (US) Thank you, I remember that post, but could not find it. Thank you for the URL. Next Question: Does anyone have a pet voltage regulation circuit schematic that would take a 12-17 volt input and regulate it to say 12-13 volts, with a 1amp max current draw? Rather than regulate the total output, I would rather build simple circuit to regulate my gps and fishfinder feeds. BillS
jimh	posted 10-25-2005 05:42 PM ET (US) Get a three-terminal voltage regulator IC. Google for a schematic on Circuit Cellar or similar website. Or the application notes from the IC maker. You can build one for about $3.
Sheila	posted 10-26-2005 03:45 AM ET (US) Bill, you're welcome. I'll be following with interest your resolution to this situation.
minitauk85	posted 10-26-2005 06:08 AM ET (US) Sheila-your welcome! I wish I could say it was "my pleasure" however this would not be honest- the diagnostic (took it to the 1st mechanic who didn't know much about this particular problem) and dropped $250 with no results. Fried my depth finder and tachometer before my second mechanic (with help) figured out the aftermarket part solution. I'm still not convinced that both tach and depth finder (Humminbird Pirhanna II) are fried. Does anyone have any advice? Mechanic says the depth finder is getting power.-k
minitauk85	posted 10-26-2005 06:10 AM ET (US) Geez...sounds like "denial" about the tach and depth finder. What's next? anger, bargaining,heavy drinking...then winter....k
2manyboats	posted 10-26-2005 08:38 AM ET (US) The imput voltage on many marine electronics has a wide range. humminbird specs show the range for your depthfinder to be 10 to 20 volts. You didn't say what gps you have but most garmin specs show a range of 10 to 40 volts. The manufactures do this so they don't have to make two of every model to cover the boats with 24 volt systems. That said I don't see 16 volts hurting your electronics and given the voltage drop of dc current you most likely are get less at all your lights and other accessories.
jimh	posted 10-26-2005 08:50 AM ET (US) Back to the initial question: was the engine charging output regulated? Sound like it might not have been. What is "the aftermarket part solution"?
minitauk85	posted 10-26-2005 05:18 PM ET (US) Jimh-I've had a couple of folks ask me(off-site thru email) about the part my mechanic installed so I thought I'd share this info about the "after market part". The part my mechanic put on my 1988 70 hp Johnson VRO (disconnected)is called a regulator kit -the box the part came in from Bombardier/Evinrude/Johnson is part number 173640, it simply says "REG KIT V-4 V-6" in the area labeled "description". It cost $123.00 plus another $50 to install. This is a whole lot more than the $3 price you put on building a 3 terminal regulator yourself-certainly seems worth it to "do-it yourself" if it has the same outcome. As far as whether the part from Bombardier worked or not-so far I have not had a reading on my voltmeter over 14.4 although I have not been able to run the boat as much as I'd have liked to lately-k
davej14	posted 10-27-2005 03:15 PM ET (US) If you decide to build up a three terminal regulator solution, be sure the components you use are rated for industrial temperature (-40 deg C to +85 deg C). Standard commercial temp range parts will only be within specifications from 0 deg C to 70 deg C. Also be sure to use an adequate heatsink. Be aware that the "tab" on the component is electrically "hot", so the heatsink will be also.
jimh	posted 10-27-2005 10:28 PM ET (US) If the part came in a BOMBARDIER box, it sounds like an OEM part, not an aftermarket part.
minitauk85	posted 10-28-2005 08:55 AM ET (US) I stand corrected! I was thinking "aftermarket" meant after that particular model has been put "on the market". What does OEM stand for?-k
kingfish	posted 10-28-2005 09:32 AM ET (US) "Original Equipment Manufacturer".
lorin	posted 10-31-2005 11:46 PM ET (US) One way to definitely determine if the output is regulated is to look at a parts catalog. If it is regulated, the part will be called a rectifier/regulator. (If not it will just be called a rectifier). I used to work on these motors extensively and I'm almost postive this motor does have a rectifier/regulator. If so, it is water cooled and is located in back of the flywheel and partially under the flywheel. A service manual will tell you what the output should be.