Fixed at last - CC design flaw

[wakejunky]

Well, I've been complaining now for over a year that I've got low voltage at my dash, from digital display, and analog guage. 11V displayed.

Warrentee center said everything was okay. I begged to differ.

I got out my trusty digital meter and measured the battery directly, 12V measured the voltage the circuit breaker box, 11V. Checked the voltage the the Control module behind the motor, again 11V. Then I unplugged PP to find that those things really draw a lot of current, brought voltage back up to 11.7. Close but, not 12V like it should read. Ran an 8 gauge wire directly from tha battery to the circuit breaker box and whala, 12V. Same as the battery.

Removed the 8ga wire and then decided to put the system to the real test, turn on the heater. Again a high current draw device, less than 10.8V.
Put the 8ga wire back on and whala 12v again and the fan runs noticably faster.

So, there is obviously too small of gauge wiring running the system, it appears to be 10ga but, with the neccessary draw of the system, there really needs to be a lower gauge wire suppling power.

So, I permanently put an 8ga wire, +/- to the circuit breaker box, fused it at the battery and ran it up the starboard gunwale.

The dual battery system is a whole other story.

Chris

[Alan-S]

RE: Fixed at last - CC design flaw

Thats cool you solved your problem, mine is opposite. I have run several different batteries, and I always get 13-14v on my meter, I can get it close to 12 if I have both amps cranked, pp running, ballast filling, and fat sack pump(pretty common actually). Am I hurting my battery with is sitting at 14? What can I do about it?

[wakejunky]

RE: Fixed at last - CC design flaw

Is that with engine running? If so, you're okay. The alternator is suppose to put out 14.7 volts for charging.


Chris

[Alan-S]

RE: Fixed at last - CC design flaw

Yea engine running. Thanks, I have been meaning to ask someone about that.

[wrollema]

RE: Fixed at last - CC design flaw

To understand what you are reading on your voltage meter you also need to understand where you are taking a reading from. Each point in a circuit will deliver different readings; this is a result of the various resistive devices and the location of the device in the circuit. In your case 11 volts may be a correct reading based on the location. To accurately assess the performance of your system take a reading across the battery when the boat is running it should read 14.* with no accessories operating.
The voltage of the battery without any connection commonly referred to as open circuit should return a voltage of 12.75 volts. Alternators typically put out 14.4 to 14. 8 volts.

[wakejunky]

RE: Fixed at last - CC design flaw

There is a direct connection from the battery to the dash circuit breaker so, there should be 12v or battery voltage at the dash. So, there is some resistent voltage drop from the battery to the dash and the rear contol module.
Agreed with system running yes you should have 14.4 to 14.8 volts depends on the voltage regulator in the alternator as well as the battery resistance.

Chris

[jwhposon]

RE: Fixed at last - CC design flaw

WakeJunky - WOW, your quite motivated and I feel sorry for the dealership when you show them the flaw - smile. Would you buy chance have any pictures and what boat do you run?