Alternator Question

fpawn1 · Post by **fpawn1** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 10:27 am

Have 318 engines and replaced alternators 2 yrs ago--single wire. Notice the last few days one gauge is reading about 12 when started and barely goes to 13. It was reading past 13 after starting engine and giving it throttle. Also notice when turning ignition switch on barely gets out of red. Had the alternator checked and she is working fine. The battery is 3 yrs old--could it be the battery is not holding a charge? What should I look for?

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 12:05 pm

Sounds like a bad battery to me. Been there many times.

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 7:09 pm

Are your blowers on when you start the engines? On my single 318 I always show below 12V after starting and blower running. Once I get moving and turn off the blower the voltage comes up, and if I "goose" the throttle it will come right up past 13V and stay there while underway. It's been this way with new batteries and old.