Gauges Over-Reading

[Sabre]

Need some advice.......

My Tacho, Fuel and Voltage gauges appear to over-read.

The tacho will read over 7k, the fuel gauge (I found out the hard way) reads 1/4 tank when empty, and the volt gauge reads 18+ volts????

Any suggestions?

Can these all be related?

[FNQCairns]

tacho - check the pole settings.

fuel - too bad they can be crap

Volt - what engine is it? how big the battery? 18 is high but but not extraordinary on some of the older engines would prefer closer to 16 myself.

cheers fnq

[Sabre]

FNQ,

Thanks for the reply.

I'm checking the pole setting today, should be at 6 I've been told.

I suspected the fuel gauge anyway, but it's an easy fix.

The engine is a 2001 Johnson 135hp OceanPro (V4).

I'll check the Batteries (2) today, but they are large marine batteries.

Thanks
Sabre

[FNQCairns]

Oh OK if it's that engine then i would be looking into why the volts are pegging that high, what voltage does your sounder or other electrics tell you at the same time?

An observation I have made in the past is that big battery's in good condition but discharged somewhat can lead for whatever reason to higher than normal voltage readings, still this engine shouldn't read that high.

cheers fnq

[Sabre]

FNQ,

Just an update:

Adjusted the tacho to 6 pole, seems better. At WOT it tops out at 5600rpm and is doing 37 knots.

The batteries (2) are 12v 900A (MCA) 720A (CCA)...... I took it out for a run with just one battery connected and the volt gauge read around 16.5v.

Your comment, big battery's in good condition but discharged somewhat can lead for whatever reason to higher than normal voltage readings, is interesting in that they were new in March 09, and I suspect the owner then, did not use it much, and I haven't been able to use all that much either......

Next trip I'll be hooking up the sounder to compare readings,

Thanks for your input,

Sabre

[FNQCairns]

best of luck and if in the end you have no joy, the US has Aussie wrecker prices on new genuine parts as a new regulator may be in order.

cheers fnq

[Spaniard_King]

Your Symptoms are classic for a regulator/rectifier fault. If you continue to run on high voltage you risk damage to electronics.

[Sabre]

Obvious question: What's the best way to go about getting a new regulator/rectifier....What info do I need and where should I look online?

[FNQCairns]

try here, I only picked the first 135 i saw in your year, you can fine yours down further if you like although i very much doubt the parts will be different but dont take my word for it.

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/BRP/JOHNSON/2001/J135VLSIF%20elec%20start,%20TNT,%2020%20in%20shaft ,%20wht%202001/IGNITION/parts.html

have used them multiple times and they are reputable.expectto pay near 4 or even sometimes 5 x over the counter here.

cheers fnq

[FNQCairns]

Oh yeah just for ease its #114 on the list.

cheers fnq

[Sabre]

FNQ & Spaniard King....Just an update....

Was out yesterday and the sounder was reading volts between 12.9 and 13.1, while the gauge read 18 volts........Any thoughts?????

[Spaniard_King]

Yeh.. use a multimeter to confirm the readings.. probly ditch the gauge after confirming the actual voltage.

You should be able to do this at home without runing the engine.. comparing the readings