Boat Buzz

I recently replaced my battery with a std. Series 24 starting marine battery (My M engine was converted to 12v years ago). When I first started the engine the ammeter pegged to 20+ but once I tapped on it it went to zero. Now when I run the boat it does not move no matter how fast or if the lights are on or off. I know with a fully charged new battery it shouldn’t move much but is this normal?

Does the amp gauge move when the lights are on and it is not running? Or any accessory. With two people in the boat get it up on plane and disconnect the battery cable. If it dies the generator is not charging.
There are different kinds of generators. One with an original style cut out. They charge by RPM. One with a regulator. Thry charge when the battery needs it. Usually the cut out style only has one wire coming from the generator and the regulator type has more than one.

The ammeter does not move when turning on and off the lights with the engine not running. It has always worked well before changing the battery and there is nothing special about this new battery. I have attached a picture of the regulator - three wires coming out from the bottom.

Sounds like a meter problem. Disconnect the battery. Remove all the wires from one side of the meter. Test the ohms between the two terminals on the back of the meter. Should have continuity.

Well - we went out, got her on plane and took off one of the battery cables and the engine instantly died. I guess the generator is due for a rebuild.

Before you read it the last rights when you take it in ask to have it checked. Possibility the regulator went out.

I would isolate the problem more before taking the generator out. It is not difficult.

Using a voltage meter check the output of the generator, output of the regulator and both sides of the meter.

When I goes to zero volts then you have isolated the problem.

Mark

I would up taking the generator to a place in Michigan called Madison Generator Repair which is about as old as the boat. They tested the unit and found out the regulator was bad [he said it was aftermarket and called it a bad name]. He had a NOS Delco regulator on the shelf to put on and it now runs great.

Glad to hear that you chased away the electrical gremlins, but what concerns me is what happens when NOS parts are truly no longer available? Same goes for the old shops with the gray haired guys (like me) that fade away.

No one can cause the beauty of these boats to go obsolete. That is what really matters most.

Modern repower is inevitable and if that is the compromise then so be it.

Mark