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Old 01-06-2015, 10:50 AM   #1
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Merc Bridgeport 2.4 Battery not Charging

My Merc Bridgeport 2.4 appears not to be charging as the battery volts are below what they should be with the engine running.
I've checked the Bridge Rectifier and it's OK, the magneto coils are intact and not shorted to earth. The resistance of the coils is difficult to establish until I get an accurate meter but is around .5 ohm. This engine has a separate voltage regulator (not part of the rectifier) and I can't find anything on how to bench test this.
Anyone got any ideas as to what the problem is?
I will have a prod around with the meter when the engine is running.
I'll put a separate plea for a workshop manual in any form on Trading post.
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Old 01-06-2015, 06:07 PM   #2
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Boat make: Hydrostream V-king, 650SS OCR ,Ring 21, Ring 18, Phantom 18.
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You sure guage isnt dodgy? Those EFI's are very voltage sensitive and will run like a bag of crap if the voltage is low.. You load test the battery?
Ive never run external regulator on any of my BP's, battery is a great regulator!! Halfords give 3 year waranty on batteries if the rectifier goes your tach usually quits or is erratic..
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Old 01-06-2015, 10:50 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hydrostream View Post
You sure guage isnt dodgy? Those EFI's are very voltage sensitive and will run like a bag of crap if the voltage is low.. You load test the battery?
Ive never run external regulator on any of my BP's, battery is a great regulator!! Halfords give 3 year waranty on batteries if the rectifier goes your tach usually quits or is erratic..
Hydrostream - Thanks for your reply. The gauge is a new one so hopefully its OK but I will check it against a multimeter, the voltage is just under 12v and drops off a bit during an outing. Apart from starting it doesn't have to do much as the ignition is by magneto and I always charge the battery the day before - the battery is fresh and the motor runs very well when you give it some. The voltage regulator on mine is on the top of the block behind the flywheel with two connections. I think its possible to update the rectifier to the type with a regulator built in has anyone got any info on this? Regulator is there to cap the voltage to about 14 volts or thereabouts and stop overcharging. The tacho reads fine and consistently I've benched tested the rectifier and am certain its OK. Cheers, Ratman
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Old 03-06-2015, 12:00 AM   #4
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Sorry, read your post again, thought it was an efi motor. If carbs it'll run all day once it's cranked. You got lots of electronic kit in the boat, using a lot of trim? There's a small stator in those, just enough to keep battery charged.
I've never run regulators on bridgeports or XR2s..
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Old 03-06-2015, 09:31 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hydrostream View Post
Sorry, read your post again, thought it was an efi motor. If carbs it'll run all day once it's cranked. You got lots of electronic kit in the boat, using a lot of trim? There's a small stator in those, just enough to keep battery charged.
I've never run regulators on bridgeports or XR2s..
Hydrostream thanks for your response. It is an EFI motor, the voltage regulator is the standard item and is shown on the circuit diagram for the engine.
Are you saying you remove the regulator or that yours doesn't have one fitted?
There is almost no kit on the boat that takes power from the battery beyond that needed by the motor; no tabs, radio, nav aids etc. The engine runs fine when opened up, less so at low throttle. i.e moving through speed limited areas at 8 knots but I'd put that down to the state of tune; four-stroking.
I'm going to test with a multi meter with the engine running at the weekend, I will post any findings. Thanks for your help, Ratman.
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Old 04-06-2015, 12:48 AM   #6
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A rectifier can be half blown. That system is the same as any pre 96 efi system. What voltage are you getting out of the rectifier?
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Old 09-06-2015, 12:06 PM   #7
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A rectifier can be half blown. That system is the same as any pre 96 efi system. What voltage are you getting out of the rectifier?
Hi, thanks for your post. I disconnected the rectifier and tested it with a meter on resistance, all diodes in the bridge were correct. I haven't probed it with the engine running as yet but that'll be the next step.
Do you know the values I should be seeing?
Thanks Ratman
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Old 09-06-2015, 09:47 PM   #8
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You don't measure resistance you measure voltage drop across each diode which should be somewhere around 0.7v
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Old 09-06-2015, 10:17 PM   #9
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Rectifier test

This is the proper way to test it
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Old 09-06-2015, 10:42 PM   #10
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Proper way perhaps if you don't understand about electronics
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Old 10-06-2015, 11:31 AM   #11
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Generally you can check diodes in a bridge using a multimeter on a resistance setting, my meter is an old analogue one that doesn't have a specific diode test setting. If OK each conducts one way not the other.
The Stator coils were intact and not shorting to earth does anyone know what the coils resistance should be on this engine? I have a seloc manual that gives a range which mine is slightly higher than. Also does anyone know if you can bench test the voltage regulator? All input much appreciated
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Old 10-06-2015, 11:33 AM   #12
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Quote:
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This is the proper way to test it
Thanks for your help, appreciated.
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Old 04-07-2015, 02:52 PM   #13
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Checked with engine running - no volts out of the Stator so that's the problem. I need to establish the exact one to get, seems there are a couple of different types - Looked on Ebay and CDI ignition in the US. If anyone has any advice as to the type and possible suppliers I'd be grateful. Engine Serial No. OC276209 (although that number flags up a carburettor engine whereas mine is EFI)
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Old 04-07-2015, 08:33 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ratman View Post
Checked with engine running - no volts out of the Stator so that's the problem. I need to establish the exact one to get, seems there are a couple of different types - Looked on Ebay and CDI ignition in the US. If anyone has any advice as to the type and possible suppliers I'd be grateful. Engine Serial No. OC276209 (although that number flags up a carburettor engine whereas mine is EFI)
MERCURY MARINER Stator

Try here mate
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Old 05-07-2015, 01:26 PM   #15
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Nice one. Thanks mate
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