Voltage Issues

[mpabreo]

I'm getting warning messages on the VDIG indicating "maintenance required" (red screen). This started happening last week after an outing where I played the stereo for several hours, and that night, put the battery charger (charge, then trickle with monitor at full charge) on the boat to top of the batteries cause I drained the accessory battery to about 10.5v. I charged both main and secondary batteries until the charger read full. Checked with a voltage meter across each battery and it read 14.4v each. So I figured I was in tip top shape. Well, the last couple outings, at idle the voltage is 13.6v (which is a good strong charge), but when I accelerate, it climbs to 16v, the red warning indicates, and when i return to idle, it drops back to 13.5v or so. Sometimes at cruising speeds/rpm it will drop back to 13.5v, but fluctuates between there and 16v, and has gotten as high as 17.2v. I'm concerned I'll damage something at these voltage levels, but it seems that when I run up the rpms, the alternator kicks in a charge and is boosting the voltage to such high levels. I'm wondering if I've got an issue with the alternator... or the relay that monitors the batteries.

Contacted dealer, awaiting response. Does anyone have any advice?

[TX.X-30 fan]

I'm getting warning messages on the VDIG indicating "maintenance required" (red screen). This started happening last week after an outing where I played the stereo for several hours, and that night, put the battery charger (charge, then trickle with monitor at full charge) on the boat to top of the batteries cause I drained the accessory battery to about 10.5v. I charged both main and secondary batteries until the charger read full. Checked with a voltage meter across each battery and it read 14.4v each. So I figured I was in tip top shape. Well, the last couple outings, at idle the voltage is 13.6v (which is a good strong charge), but when I accelerate, it climbs to 16v, the red warning indicates, and when i return to idle, it drops back to 13.5v or so. Sometimes at cruising speeds/rpm it will drop back to 13.5v, but fluctuates between there and 16v, and has gotten as high as 17.2v. I'm concerned I'll damage something at these voltage levels, but it seems that when I run up the rpms, the alternator kicks in a charge and is boosting the voltage to such high levels. I'm wondering if I've got an issue with the alternator... or the relay that monitors the batteries.

Contacted dealer, awaiting response. Does anyone have any advice?




Do you use a separate regulator or an internal one in the alternator?? Sounds like the regulator is not working properly. Check all the wires pos and neg grounds.

[proporjet]

>15V is not a good sign. Something, likely the voltage regulator as TX mentions is not working. The fact that it varies so widely is also an indicator that something (voltage regulator?) is not working. The voltage regulators are generally replaceable modules inside the alternator.

The newer alternators, have the voltage regulator internal to the alternator. The voltage sense is done in the alternator with the 11SI series alternators that Indmar used on the 2008-2009 X2 for instance.
The internal voltage regulation (monitoring) can present some challenges with the external battery relays and separators that should use a remote sense. Some setups have a non-negligible voltage drop across diodes for instance that present a challenge for non remote sense circuits.

[mpabreo]

Just checked the wires on the alternator. Everything is snug, and looks good. It is the 11S1 model. 12v 95amp.

Also checked all the grounds and power connections at the 12v distribution panel. Looks good. I do see a "VSR voltage sensitive relay module" that has 2 power wires connected to the battery switch, and its grounded. Back of the VSR reads "ignition protected, 125amp, dual sense, cut in: 13.7v, cut out: 12.8v." The connections on the vsr are internal to the little cover on it. Seem snug from the outside, but can't get to the screws unless I pull the fuel hose off the gas tank. I'm a little nervous working around this electrical stuff as I'm not so electrically inclined.

[Footin]

I would take it to the dealer before you take anything apart, It may void your warranty.

[TX.X-30 fan]

new boat like that take her back.

[panshovel68]

Were the batteries connected when you charged them?

[mpabreo]

yes, batteries were connected. Switch was in the off position. Will see about taking her back to the dealer in a couple days.

[TallRedRider]

what is your battery setup? didn't you add a 3rd? How are they wired?

[mpabreo]

Battery setup is stock (2 battery system), with a kinetik power cell added just before the new sub amp. Here's my dealers explanation of the stocking battery wiring...

When the switch is on the on position, both batteries are actually being used (while engine off) the H battery handles all the loads from the accessories, and the S battery handles the cranking of the engine. That is the position it should be run on. The combined position is to use in case the S battery is low, and it "combines" both batteries to get you started. To jump the boat, either turn the switch to combine, if that does not work, hook up the jumper cables to the S battery, which is the one towards the AFT.

[JimN]

I'm getting warning messages on the VDIG indicating "maintenance required" (red screen). This started happening last week after an outing where I played the stereo for several hours, and that night, put the battery charger (charge, then trickle with monitor at full charge) on the boat to top of the batteries cause I drained the accessory battery to about 10.5v. I charged both main and secondary batteries until the charger read full. Checked with a voltage meter across each battery and it read 14.4v each. So I figured I was in tip top shape. Well, the last couple outings, at idle the voltage is 13.6v (which is a good strong charge), but when I accelerate, it climbs to 16v, the red warning indicates, and when i return to idle, it drops back to 13.5v or so. Sometimes at cruising speeds/rpm it will drop back to 13.5v, but fluctuates between there and 16v, and has gotten as high as 17.2v. I'm concerned I'll damage something at these voltage levels, but it seems that when I run up the rpms, the alternator kicks in a charge and is boosting the voltage to such high levels. I'm wondering if I've got an issue with the alternator... or the relay that monitors the batteries.

Contacted dealer, awaiting response. Does anyone have any advice?

Relays don't monitor anything, they're voltage activated switches. It sounds like the regulator is bad and most of your electronics won't survive if it's not repaired. Take the alternator in and have it checked.

[TallRedRider]

Battery setup is stock (2 battery system), with a kinetik power cell added just before the new sub amp. Here's my dealers explanation of the stocking battery wiring...

When the switch is on the on position, both batteries are actually being used (while engine off) the H battery handles all the loads from the accessories, and the S battery handles the cranking of the engine. That is the position it should be run on. The combined position is to use in case the S battery is low, and it "combines" both batteries to get you started. To jump the boat, either turn the switch to combine, if that does not work, hook up the jumper cables to the S battery, which is the one towards the AFT.

Relays don't monitor anything, they're voltage activated switches. It sounds like the regulator is bad and most of your electronics won't survive if it's not repaired. Take the alternator in and have it checked.


It is probably the regulator in the alternator, so get that first checked for sure.

Here is something else to consider that I have learned about my VSR and why I ask about your battery setup. I think I also discussed this in your stereo thread. My VSR combines the batteries even when the switch is turned to off when I hook up the charger. For example, I hook up the charger to my starting battery and what happens is it charges that battery until 13.7 volts and then it sends charge to both batteries...EVEN WHEN THE SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION. A red light comes on the VSR that tells me when the battery the charger is hooked to is full.

I am concerned that what may have happened to you is that you charged one battery and then the VSR connected them all together. The resistance and charge and discharges of the different batteries are going to affect the way the charge is distributed, even though they all are 12V batteries.

One battery may be overcharged, although the entire bank is reading 14.4 V.

I would start by checking the voltage regulator, but if you have time, actually disconnect each battery separately and check their voltages.

Most of the serious stereo freaks on Wakeworld run all of the same battery to avoid this problem...even 6-8 batteries if needed.

[JimN]

Battery setup is stock (2 battery system), with a kinetik power cell added just before the new sub amp. Here's my dealers explanation of the stocking battery wiring...

When the switch is on the on position, both batteries are actually being used (while engine off) the H battery handles all the loads from the accessories, and the S battery handles the cranking of the engine. That is the position it should be run on. The combined position is to use in case the S battery is low, and it "combines" both batteries to get you started. To jump the boat, either turn the switch to combine, if that does not work, hook up the jumper cables to the S battery, which is the one towards the AFT.

Combining the batteries for cranking shouldn't be necessary unless the primary one is discharged. If they are combined, they need to be in parallel, not series because the ECM and any other sensitive electronics will have serious problems with 24VDC. Parallel increases current, not voltage and your voltage is either to high or the gauge is indicating that it's too high. Either way, it needs to be checked out.

[mpabreo]

Dealer replaced the alternator, along with some other 50hr services items. Ran it all day Saturday, voltage never got higher than 14.2v, never lower than 13.1v.