alternator may be charging very little or it could just be the voltage reg.
how old it the alt.? my belt just broke on a 5.8 l omc and my motor ran
terrible on startup and almost died getting away from the dock. if the reg.
is in the alt. I would just replace the whole thing especially if its fairly
old. And do it right away, I would hate to get towed in, that is my
definition of a bummer. GL
"Brian Runyard" wrote in message
...
Get the altenator fixed, you're not doing your batteries any favours.


"speedo" wrote in message
om...
I think my alternator's shot, based on the tests I've done, but I'm
still running around the lake with no problem. . . . . yet!

Boat's got a '78 5.7litre Mercruiser with a two-bank, four battery
system. Batteries are two week's new, basic crankin' batteries. I've
had it out four times, with about 8 total running hours. Bank 2, the
only one I've used, is reading about 12.2v on one of the on-boat
meters, bank 1 shows about 12.8v. Alternator tester showed similar
numbers, and no increase in voltage when engine was running. Ammeter
on flying bridge shows 0 - no draw or charge, other meter (don't
remember if volt or amps) shows in red, discharge state for both banks
when running.

I'm taking the alternator to the shop on Monday, but I'm wondering if
this is unusual. Should I be able to run around this long on a
two-battery bank with what appears to be a shot alternator?

Thanks,
Speedo